My thanks go to all who have given me help and encouragement while writing this book, especially Ivy, Connor, Carmen, Alison, Ben, Sherri, Bridie, Penny, Bronte, Marcia, Barb, Rose, Edwina, my husband Alistair and my sons Cameron and Don, the Samford Writers and the Grey Street Girls, John Downs for his photography, and Duncan Richardson for writing about a time banana.
Thanks to IP for once again putting their faith in my writing.
And a very special thanks to my brilliant editor, Anna Bartlett, for her endless help and tireless patience as she helped me whip this book into shape.