Maria Grech Ganado, for the use of her wonderful poem ‘Relative Time’.
The two men in my life who are each so good in their own way: my husband James for his constant belief and support and my son James for making me laugh and smile every day and for being one of the kindest young men on the planet.
Mandy, Laura and Fiona, my three daughters – all so different and wonderful!
My sister Gerardine, it is so good to have you home.
Sarah Webb for being one of the nicest people I know and for always giving the best advice.
‘The Irish Girls’ who help make being a writer so much fun. Martina Devlin, Claire Dowling, Mary Hosty, Julie Parsons, Deirdre Purcell, Marisa Mackle, Jacinta McDevitt, Ann-Marie Forrest, Catherine Dunne, Tina O’Reilly, Suzanne Higgins, Cauvery Madhaven et al. – thanks for all the dinners, drinks and chats.
My ‘Irish PEN’ friends, especially Christine Dwyer-Hickey, Patricia O’Reilly, Denise Deegan, Nesta Tuomey and Kathleen Sheehan O’Connor.
My agent Caroline Sheldon.
My wonderful editor Francesca Liversidge.
Nicky Jeanes and all the team at Transworld.
Gill, Simon, Geoff, Declan and all the team at ‘Gill Hess’, Dublin.
The Irish booksellers for all their support over the years.
Lastly to all my readers, especially those who have grown up with my books, thanks for making writing such a pleasure.