Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the following for their invaluable help:

Lynne Drew, who has supported and encouraged me so marvellously.

Maxine Hitchcock, my truly wonderful editor who has the patience of a hundred saints, and who has held my hand through the births of Ellie, Connie and now Hettie.

Samantha Bell for her skilled copy-editing.

Everyone at HarperCollins who has made it possible for Hettie to reach publication safely.

Tony, who does so much of my research for me.

My writing friends, whose support and kindness means so very much to me.

But most of all my thanks to my readers. Author, editor, publishers, researchers – we are all part of a team that creates a book, but you, the reader, via your enjoyment of it are the one who breathes life into it.