I am grateful for the dedication of my editor, Joanne Dickinson at Simon & Schuster, whose guidance and advice greatly improved this book. My thanks to editorial assistant Alice Rodgers, publicist Jess Barratt, copy editor Susan Opie and proofreader Clare Hubbard.
Gratitude as always to my wonderful agent Jane Finigan, and to the fantastic team at Lutyens & Rubinstein, especially Juliet Mahony, Fran Davies and Hana Grisenthwaite.
I am indebted to the staff of the London Library and the London Metropolitan Archives for their assistance. Nigel Israel alerted me to the existence of the City of London Club, for which I am truly grateful.
Grateful thanks to my colleagues at the Goldsmiths’ Company, including (but not limited to) faithful book-buyers Chan Allen, David Beasley, Eleni Bide, Caitlin Brannan, Clare Breen, Ciorsdan Brown, Mairi Dunn, Jake Emmett, Teresa Hassett, Liane Owen, Deborah Roberts and Stephanie Souroujon.
For their moral support, and so much more besides, I am grateful to: Lucy Adams, Sophie Carp, Emily Kidson, Sian Robinson, Gill Sampson, Ruth Seward, Amanda Wright and Samantha Woodward.
During the writing process Kate Mayfield talked me off many a literary ledge and I am immensely grateful to her. I am also indebted to Sophie Hardach, Jason Hewitt, Antonia Hodgson and Mel Backe-Hansen who were supportive of the book. Thanks also to the many other writers who have offered camaraderie and friendship.
I am grateful to my family, near and far, including my sister Angela and her family. As always, my love and thanks to my parents, my sister Lisa and her sons Samuel and Harrison for their steadfast faith and affection.
My husband Aelred makes everything possible with his love and support.
This book is dedicated to Miss Kilmartin (whose first name I never knew) and Dr Robert Hume, two influential teachers whose love of English and History respectively has shaped the lives of hundreds of schoolchildren, including me.