As always, thanks to my editor Kimberley Young and everyone at HarperCollins, for always encouraging me to push my words to the limits and being extremely patient throughout the process of giving birth to books and babies.
My agent, Adrian Sington, for always having my back and always giving me the best reviews.
Thank you to Clara Francis for helping me work Ruby out. You are a force, and our chats really helped me put her together. You narrating her part for the audiobook is even more magical. Thank you!
The Jane Club – a work space full of women where I take my baby and do a full 9–5. Why is that so unique? It shouldn’t be. Thank you to all of the ‘Janes’ for your support and cheering on. I sat in the corner for months, barely looking up, and thrashed out this novel. Someone was always there for a chat or a cuddle when I came up for air. This place exists and that is a magical thing. Shawnta’s cuddles should be sold in bottles, and everyone needs a Hailey.
To the other Janes in my life (what is it with all these Janes?): my sister and aunty. So much of you both is in me. I’m so inspired by you both every single day. I love you.
Michelle, Kelly, Mel and all your kids and husbands. My LA family. Thank goodness we have each other. Thanks for listening to me go on and on AGAIN about how hard my writing process is. Oddly, that part of the process is very helpful. Even if it’s not that much fun for you guys.
Jane and Lou, my Dickheads. I MISS YOU! Louise, I write about friendship because I miss ours every day. I don’t know why we live on different sides of the world, but we are nearly there with the kids being old enough for us to bugger off on a ‘Mummies holiday.’ See you on the beach, baby!
My Nancy Poo Poo’s. You will forever be my poo, bum, willy, booby, friend. Your family is our family, we love you all so much.
Fergus, thanks for always being so generous and kind. The use of your office made great things happen over the past few years. Endlessly grateful.
Eloise, thanks for saying the first line of this novel so casually in a conversation, and basically inspiring the whole thing.
Thanks to the man who moved me off the park bench, so that he could clean it with wet wipes as it was dedicated to his daughter. I don’t know you, but that moment we shared changed me forever.
Thank you, Mary Moo, for loving my babies. We will miss you so much. How will I get through writing books without you?
Thank you, Joanna, for loving my furry babies. Potato is very grateful. I think Lilu is too, but it’s hard to tell.
Chris, my darling husband. We achieve a lot, and we parent well. I don’t know how we do it, but we do. I wouldn’t have done it with anyone else. I watch you with the boys and can’t believe how lucky they are that you are their dad. We love you.
Art and Valentine, my two little guys. Thanks for the love and the material. You bring me (almost) constant joy. I love being your mum. I even like how hard you make writing. I like how motivated I have to be. I like that you distract me from total despair when I am on a deadline, even if I don’t realise it at the time. My goodness, we are going to have so much fun.
Thanks to anyone I didn’t mention here but should have. The rest of my family, the rest of my friends. I’ve been writing solidly for months, my eyes and fingers hurt. Know that if you encourage me, help me or support me in any way, I am extremely grateful.
Dawn x