I am delighted to be able to bring back to my readers this new, updated version of Above Stairs, which was first published in 1995. My initial thanks, therefore, go to my publisher, Ruth Linka, of TouchWood Editions, for her insight in enabling this to happen. I also wish to thank my meticulous and indomitable editor Marlyn Horsdal, who always manages to magically transform text into something far better.
This new edition can now stand proudly beside its companion book Upstarts & Outcasts (a “below stairs” look at life in early Victoria), published by TouchWood in 2000.
I would also like to reiterate my thanks to all those who gave generously of their time and knowledge in assisting me with the original writing of this book. Some of these kind people have passed away since 1995, but I feel they should be remembered and their names mentioned in this new edition. They were Mary Helmcken, Betty Beckett, Connie Nichols, Jessie Bellhouse, Trudi Skillings, Mary Mara, Bonita Jackson, and Sheila Anderson.
Additional thanks to the British Columbia Archives, the Victoria City Archives, and Caroline Duncan at the Saanich Archives for her assistance with new photographic material.
I would like to add my sincere thanks to Terry Stofer for assisting me during the production of this new edition by updating my computer knowledge (not an easy task—hey, I’m a writer not a techie!) and to all my “Table 44” friends (you know who you are) for always supporting me in all my writing endeavours. And especially to Joan Neudecker—I have enjoyed all our commiserations over writing projects through the years and much appreciate your encouragement and inspiration.
Last, but by no means least, my love and thanks to my family—especially David, who still doesn’t understand why on earth writers need to keep on writing, but loves one anyway.