Acknowledgements

Firstly, HobNobs, without which this book would never have existed – if biscuits are not one of the major food groups, then they should be. My fantastic partner, Steve, for endless chocolate, wine and other forms of encouragement, both edible and otherwise. My wonderful, wonderful beta reader, Sarah Callejo, for patiently e-mailing suggestions and not phoning up at two in the morning to shout them at me; also the whole of North Yorkshire for stopping me to ask how the writing is going and not mentioning that my pants are on my head and I seem to be wearing my slippers. My lovely friends at Choc Lit and the Romantic Novelists’ Association who dragged me from my bed, removed the pillow from my head and kept me going when times were tough and Agent Kate for not letting me slide into despair or Lancashire.

Finally, for my wonderful, kind, considerate, gorgeous, clever and amazing children, Tom, Vienna, Fern, William and Addie and Tom’s fantastic partner Becci, for being there. Right, children, please let me out of the cellar now, I’ve done as you asked …