Thank you to my mum for giving me the inspiration to write this book; I hope I have done your story justice. Thanks to my dad for being a truly great friend, supporter and confidant – your words of advice and creativity mean so much to me.
Greg, thank you for being my number one lockdown companion and my best friend. I couldn’t have survived the last two years without you. Thank you to my friends, both in the book world and beyond. Polly, thank you for being the ultimate work wife. Thy, thank you for the beautiful cover you have created.
Thank you to everyone at Pushkin: Adam, Rory, Poppy, Natalie, Elise, India, Nicki and all of the team. My editor, Sarah, the OG of children’s publishing; thank you for your warmth, compassion and guidance. Your help in growing this kernel of an idea into the story it has become was invaluable. Thank you to the passionate team at Bounce; I know this book is in the most capable hands.
Thank you to all those who have given me words of advice and encouragement along the way, however small; your words have stayed with me.
And for any budding young writers out there, I want you to know that if I can do it, so can you!