Thanks must go as ever to my fantastic team at HarperCollins Children’s Books, principally the amazing Nick Lake, the tireless Paul Black and Geraldine Stroud, and the commander-in-chief Ann-Janine Murtagh; and thanks also to Kate Clarke, Elorine Grant, Samantha Swinnerton, Brigid Nelson, JP Hunting and Nicola Way; as well as Julien Matthews and Grace Rodgers at Avalon.

I’d like also to thank my collaborator, the incredibly talented Jim field, who makes these words come alive in pictures; my literary agent and invaluable margin-scribbler Georgia Garrett; audio-book whisperer Tanya Brennard-Roper; my assistant and general helpmeet, Stasia Kolasa; my children, Dolly and Ezra; and my soulmate, Morwenna Banks.