It would not have been physically possible to write this story without the generosity of my family. I’m grateful to my mum, sisters Theresa and Janet, and Nicola for helping out and looking after Jack in order to give me time to write.
My wonderful agent, Julia, to whom this book is dedicated: you pepped me up and calmed me down as required during moments of gloom, missed deadlines, and worries that this, too, could end up as a tale unfinished. You always have the right words – a magic all your own.
I’m indebted to my editor, Rachel Mann, whose wisdom made this story work even when I feared I might well end up as mad as Alice. It takes great skill to balance knowing when to heighten the tension and when less is more, and you have it in bags.
Thanks also to my copy editor Jane Tait, whose careful attention caught many errors and added a layer of sparkle.
Last but not least, thanks to the lovely Cat Healy who named Gypsy’s boat with a word that is very much hers: Elsewhere.