I am so lucky to have so many brilliant people around me.
Thank you to my fantastic agent Ger Nichol for always being in my corner. You are everything I could possibly ask for and more.
Thank you all at Bedford Square Publishers. I couldn’t have a better home for my books. I’m especially indebted to my brilliant editor Carolyn Mays who has shaped this book into being a much better one than it was when it first hit her inbox. I also owe a huge and heartfelt thank you to Laura Fletcher, Jamie Hodder-Williams, Polly Halsey, Anastasia Boama-Aboagye and Hollie McDevitt.
Cover designer Henry Steadman deserves a special shout out, not only for another brilliant cover but for not losing patience at my painstaking explanations of exactly what expression Pebbles would wear. Thanks too to Kay Gale and Jacqui Lewis for copy editing and proofreading – otherwise known as sparing my blushes.
There are lots of bad things about social media, but I am forever grateful to it for bringing the D20 authors into my life. A great many of them have become proper mates and, while it feels almost impossible to pick out just a few names, Frances Quinn is a heartbeat away from needing her name on the cover and Gillian Harvey, Louise Fein. Eleni Kyriaciou and Charlotte Levin have also helped keep me (mostly) on track.
Social media has also brought good things in the shape of Book Twitter (it will never be Book X) and I want to say thank you to all the brilliant book reviewers, book bloggers and booksellers. Your love of books is inspiring.
Inspiring is the perfect word to describe both Sophie Hannah and Anstey Harris, amazing authors and purveyors of much good advice.
Thank you to my family who put up with me constantly stealing their stories and saying ‘shush, I’m writing.’ Top of that list, and top of all my lists, are my lovely sons Charlie and Max Gill. Nothing would mean anything without the two of you. The rest of my family are pretty awesome too: Jenny Crichton-Stuart, Kit Crichton-Stuart, Harry Crichton-Stuart, Freddie Crichton-Stuart, Toby Green, Lex Green, Saskia Green and Jo Dangerfield. And, of course, my brilliant brother and sister Patrick Crichton-Stuart and Sophie Crichton-Stuart to whom this book is dedicated. (I’m afraid that does mean you’ll have to read it, Patrick).
I can’t talk about my family without mentioning my Mum and Dad. I miss you both every single day.
Thank you to my friends, who feel like family. (That’s supposed to be a compliment, for the record). Hedy-Anne Freedman, Debra Davies, Caroline Donn, Sara Nair, Brian Davies, Steve Clinton, Sally Bargman, Frani Heyns, Nicky Peters, Georgina Heyward, John O’Sullivan, Gemma Champ, Carol Deacon, Katia Hadidian and Alex Judge.
Finally, the biggest thank you of all to my readers. There are a huge number of books out there and the fact you’ve picked up one of mine is an honour. I hope you’ve enjoyed it.