Debut novels aren’t always the same thing as first novels, and this book owes much to its two predecessors and the encouragement I received from friends and family from the start. I am forever grateful to Rob Curling for his unbounded enthusiasm and gleeful grammar corrections, to Lauren Pett for the many happy hours pondering the path, and for ‘pebble’-hunting with Skye Loneragan. My cousin Fern Wells cheerleads as if it’s her job and once swerved off the road to impress upon me a better measure of success. Rebekah Lattin-Rawstrone and Tom Collinson have become my treasured go-to writer-readers; their generous feedback on early drafts is always hugely helpful, and I’d now feel jittery finishing a book without them.
I am indebted to my agent Juliet Mushens, who has been a guiding light for several years – your commitment, passion and insight never cease to amaze and inspire me. Thanks also to Rachel Neely, who stepped in so brilliantly, Liza DeBlock, Kiya Evans and the whole wonderful team at Mushens Entertainment.
I have been just as fortunate in my editor, Katie Bowden, at 4th Estate. I had not expected the editorial process to feel so genuinely collaborative and exciting – there is something magical in the way you see into a story. I am also extremely grateful to work with a team at HarperCollins that includes Katy Archer, Matt Clacher, Michelle Kane, Nicola Webb, Paul Erdpresser, Emma Pidsley, Lola Downes, and (briefly but excellently) Sadé Omeje. Huge thanks to Andrew Davis for the inspired and spectacular final cover.
My thanks also to other friends and early readers, who perhaps don’t always know how helpful they’ve been – to Book Grubbers past and present, the unparalleled MDra gang, my whole Tynemouth Road family (especially, of course, Lainey and Jen), Sam Birkett, Anna Madeleine, John Berry and my cherished, new-found friends in Scotland, who so readily celebrated with me (with special thanks to Pru for the emergency photography).
Finally, thanks to my family for always asking how the writing’s going, to Dad for his support and wildlife tales from the cabin, and to Mum, whose love of words and stories infused my world from childhood and helped make this possible.