Although a novel is written alone in a room, many unseen hands hold up a writer. For their warm-handed support I thank Emma Felton, Sandra Hogan, Barbara Johnson and, most especially, Jeff Humphreys, who not only offered practical and immediate support but also the most necessary kind of psychological support that allows a writer to keep going. It’s been a joy getting to know Ross and Lyle Humphreys, both passionate, lifelong readers. My grateful appreciation to all those whose own work allowed me to construct a work of fiction accurate in its details—or at least as true as I could make it—especially Bede King of Tobin King Lateef, for his excellent legal advice on land fronting water; photographer Trevor Newman and his wonderful site about historical Brisbane (www.yourbrisbanepastandpresent.com) and for his childhood memories of Brisbane, and Dr Douglas Wilkie from the University of Melbourne, for his research into the French in Australia. I am very grateful to my employers at the Courier-Mail for allowing me the time off, especially Chris Dore, Peter Gleeson and Kylie Lang. I am lucky to have two fine fiction writers at Qweekend magazine as colleagues: Matthew Condon and Frances Whiting, and to Matt in particular I owe a great deal—I wouldn’t have a job in journalism without him. As ever, my publishers—one of the last independent publishers in Australia and one of the finest—have been stalwarts, in particular Annette Barlow. Editor Ali Lavau’s suggestions were exceptionally fine, as were Christa Munns’. My new agents Benython Oldfield and Sharon Gallant of Zeitgeist Media are wonders (as agents as well as readers). My most heartfelt thanks to the Australia Council for giving me the great gift of time.