Acknowledgements

My gratitude and love go to Sam Mendes for his generous financial support and unwavering encouragement, without which writing this novel would have been utterly impossible; his continual right-hand woman, Tara B. Cook, for masterminding my trip to Italy – and only she knows how much more; Janine Gray for her sweetness and light on all matters personal and domestic; Maurizio Ammazzini, Carlo Soldani and the miraculously restored White Cat at the Villa San Michele, Fiesole, Florence, for their immaculate help and hospitality; Pamela Cleaver and Maggie Hamand for their constructive reading of early synopses; all the staff of Grayshott Hall, Hindhead; my Grayshott drivers – Jean, Tom and Michael – who made possible many research expeditions; Mary Peters of Mayfair Farm and Riding Stables for her knowledge, experience and caring empire; and Major Jeremy Whitaker and his family in the Land of Nod for taking the time and trouble to read the final draft.

My thanks also go to the professionalism, enthusiasm and expertise of the Simon & Schuster Children’s Books publishing team, without whom I should undoubtedly still be sitting in the slush pile of some sleepy office; and to our copy-editor Lesley Levene.

Last, I need to thank Robert McKee for his outstanding story seminars, which guide, inspire and live on.