ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This book has been a long time coming, consequently a whole bunch of wonderful souls are due thanks for helping me get it here. Without three people, in particular, this book would not have happened: Catherine Atkins, my friend, unofficial editor and general beam of light; Andy D, my writing partner and part-time muse; and Linda Davis, this book’s patient agent and my inspiring and kind friend.

Mum, Dad, and Barb – thank you for your ever-loving patience always, and for reading so much so often. Derek Niemann, for your always considerate and positive writing advice. Julia Green, for inspiration and your ‘sunbeam effect’. Cam McCulloch, Hannah Alexander, Dan Burrows, Kristen Wheeler, Maya Farrugia, Hemanthi Wijewardene and Penny Lawson – thank you for reading and offering advice. Special thanks to Sarah Benwell for quick reading in a slow spot. Roma Arnott – for long rides through the countryside talking about killing and violence. And Nicola Barr, who came into my life like a flash of brilliant lightning.

Thank you to all who helped with the technical research. In particular, Nick Tucker, Francis Jones, Andy Smith, Dr Harvey Wickham, Paul Wells, Matt Bone, and magical Johanna David. Thank you to Pat Johns and Colin Titcombe for helping me discover bunkers in the woods. Thank you to everyone on Facebook who helped with random research questions, and to the helpful soldiers on the MOD live chat site. AJM, thanks for the debrief. Thank you to Cercopan, a wonderful charity doing amazing work in Nigeria, who were so helpful when this book was originally set in Africa!

Thank you to my publishers, Chicken House and Scholastic, for all their assistance, faith and support. Thank you to the readers of Stolen and Flyaway who have been so patient in waiting for this one.

A special thank you to Simon Read and his band Quiet Marauder for providing the soundtrack to this book. You can check them out here – www.quietmarauder.co.uk

Last but not least, thank you to Topaz the wonderhorse, and Ella and Ollie the superdogs, for company during those long walks through the woods.