This story started life as a scene on a frozen lake. With the help of some special people, that scene became Frost Hollow Hall.
Firstly, I’d like to thank The Arvon Foundation’s Totleigh Barton Centre for creating the spark, and to the Axe Valley Community College for being supportive ever since.
Thanks to all on the Bath Spa Writing For Young People MA. Course Director Julia Green is an inspiration. To my class – Sue, Carol, Bernie, Maria, Ros, Kirsten, Naomi – it was an honour. Special thanks to my wonderful tutor Steve Voake, who was there from the very start. Thanks also to my mentor Marcus Sedgwick.
Huge thanks to my brilliant agent Jodie Marsh for sending Tilly Higgins out into the world one snowy February afternoon, and to Jane Willis for journeys further afield.
To the team at Faber, thank you for making my dreams come true. To Susila Baybars for saying ‘yes’, and to Leah Thaxton for agreeing. Warmest, deepest thanks to my amazing editor Rebecca Lee, whose skill made this a better book. Thanks also to superstar copy-editor Eleanor Rees.
Heartfelt thanks to my early readers, Naomi Rich, Kirsten Harvey, Karl Watson, Becky Howat, Eliza Hall, Pam and Maurice Hall. It meant the world to share this book with you.
To my mum and dad for a lifetime of love. And to my husband Owen, who did everything else so I could write; my biggest thanks of all is to you.