I thank my publishers at Pan Macmillan – above all, Anna McFarlane, for her generous support and perceptive suggestions. It has been a pleasure to work with her and with all the wonderful editors who improved various drafts: Brianne Tunnicliffe, Ali Lavau and Julia Stiles. I’m also grateful to all those who gave early and, in some cases, late drafts a good deal of time and careful thought: Antoni Jach, Kim Kane and Eva Mills. Thanks to Will Gorton for helping with the letter. John Wentworth helped most of all.