The initial idea for the weekly column on which this book is based came from Merope Mills, the tirelessly inventive editor of the Guardian’s Weekend magazine and a great friend. For conveying it expertly to the page each week, I thank Emma Cook, Bob Granleese, Bill Mann, Andrea Chapman, Stephanie Fincham and Grainne Mooney. My gratitude journal (see page 31) should also include prominent entries for Claire Paterson; for Nick Davies and his brilliant colleagues at Canongate; for Esther Addley; for Ian Katz; and above all for my parents and sister. Thanks to Pascal Wyse for this book’s title. I doubt I’d get much of anything done without the friendship of Emma Brockes, or of my friends from the north, of whom Daniel Weyman, Sally Weyman, Rachael Burnett and Robin Parmiter provided specific advice or assistance. Heather Chaplin was, and remains, remarkable.