This book owes much to Elizabeth Buchan for her encouragement, generosity and all-round wonderfulness. For their time, insight and expertise, I also wish to thank Claire Baker, Tina Burchill, Lisa Cohen, N.J. Cooper, Dr Peter Dean, Alan Dunnett, Maggie Hilton, Bernard Lever, Jackie Malton, Sarah Medford, Angela Neustatter, Laline Paull and Caroline Willbourne; and, not least, my editor Jane Wood and agent Sheila Crowley.