Biggest thanks must go to the effulgent Charlie

Sheppard, who fights very hard for me, and to

Carolyn Whitaker. They both deserve medals:

For tolerance in the face of extreme adversity.

Thank you to Miriam Hodgson for helping shape

the idea in the beginning, and to Harriet and Lucy

for eleventh-hour inspiration; to the Scottish Arts

Council for their support; and to Andy Briggs and

Steve – for being Andy Briggs and Steve.

But I’d like to dedicate this book,

with all my love, to Jasmine.