I would like, for his perseverance and faith in this book, to express warm gratitude to Anthony Goff, my agent and friend. I could not have wished for a wiser editor than Andrew Gordon, whose judgement proved invaluable. This book owes much to them both.
My gratitude also goes to Alan Hollinghurst for his unfailing support and wise counsel. Thanks also to Edwina Barstow, Hannah Corbett and to my excellent copy-editor, Robyn Karney. My warm appreciation also goes to Reginald Piggott for sorting out two complicated family trees.
I owe a debt of a different kind to my mother, whose support has meant everything to me during the course of preparing and writing what proved to be a difficult book for us both.
I thank my brother for having allowed me to feel that I could write as I wished, and as I felt. This was generous, and made a great difference to my approach.
I have been continuously grateful for the friendship and excellent company of my son and daughter-in-law, and for the restorative and understanding love of my husband – and first reader.