There are so many people who, knowingly or unknowingly, have helped me over the years in so many different ways, this page can only acknowledge a tiny proportion of them.
At the start, there were my parents, who chose me, loved me and read to me and my wonderful brother, Christopher, a true Renaissance man.
Later, at various times, there were some inspirational teachers and fellow students at Clifton, St. Anne’s College Oxford, Oxford University Department of Continuing Education and Oxford Brookes University, all of whom helped me learn to read and write.
Next came a plethora of independent publishers who do so much to support new writers, particularly Jan Fortune-Wood at Cinnamon Press. They accepted my short stories and poetry and thereby gave me the confidence to continue writing.
As The Well took shape, some people were kind enough to read it and help it on its way, including, amongst others: the trusty members of my book club; the Elephant Rock writing quartet; Anna Davis; and Rachel Phipps from The Woodstock Bookshop. There was also Bella who, being a dog, was unconditionally positive about the whole thing.
Thank you to Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge for their prize for unpublished women’s fiction; winning this made all the difference.
As a result – an agent. My heartfelt thanks to Janelle Andrew and the fantastic team at Peter, Fraser, Dunlop including Rachel, Marilia and Alexandra. Nelle’s unbounded enthusiasm, astute critical eye and straight talking have been invaluable and I strongly believe she should be cloned.
And then the inestimable Canongate and the privilege of working with Jamie, Jenny, Natasha, Vicki and Rafi, who designed the beautiful cover. Particular thanks to my editor, Louisa Joyner, who has brought me gifts of wisdom, experience, knowledge and kindness in equal measure.
In April 2014, Jamie Byng gathered many of the foreign publishers of The Well at The Shed in Notting Hill. I asked them all to sign the menu for me because I was not sure that I would ever again be in the company of so many gifted people who make it their business to bring beautiful books to life. To each and every one of them (and to those who could not make it) – thank you.
Finally, from the world to home. To Christopher, Jeremy and Jessica who have managed the acrobatic act of being endlessly loving, supportive and tolerant of neglect whilst keeping their mother’s feet firmly on the ground. And to Simon. I hope he knows already that I would have been as nothing in this world if I had not met and married him, but it is worth saying again. And again. Thank you.