Stacey D’Erasmo, Tim Hughes, Martin McInnes, Cy O’Neal, Peter Parker and Noni Pratt all read the entire manuscript at various stages of its development. For their invaluable editorial comments I am hugely indebted. Peter Parker heroically read the manuscript more times than I’d now like to recall.
For their encouragement, support and advice I would also like to thank Ed Bartlett, Mary Bartlett, Sheridan Bartlett, Thomas Bartlett, Michael Benson, David Cafiero, Bill Clegg, Hazel Coleman, Elizabeth Cook, Sonali Deraniyagala, Freddie Fabiano, Jonathon Fairhead, Jane Haynes, Courtney Hodell, David Hopson, Daniel Kaizer, James Lecesne, Ken Legins, Jim Lowe, Simon Lunn, Adam Moss, Sylvia Nasar, Shabir Pandor, Beth Povinelli, Noni Pratt, David Purcell, Seth Pybas, Lisa Randall, Sally Randolph, Joyce Ravid, Salley Vickers and Robert Westfield
Whenever I despaired, my agent, Georgina Capel, brought calmness and hope. My editor at Head of Zeus, Neil Belton, saved me from a number of embarrassments. Whatever errors remain – embarrassing or otherwise – are entirely my own. Also at Head of Zeus, Ella Parnavelas and Clémence Jacquinet turned my manuscript into an elegant-looking book. Octavia Reeve was a diligent and sensitive copyeditor. Jessie Price designed a beautiful jacket. Many thanks too to my editor at Pegasus, Jessica Case.