As this book ends, it’s hard to know where to begin. Following Ned on his journey has been both a privilege and a joy and I could not have done it without the incredible team at HarperCollins. As I have come to discover, they are some of the most patient, hard-working and humorous people I have ever met, whether in person or through the impassioned and precise comments of a Word document.
And so to Nick Lake, Sam Stewart, Lily Morgan and Madeleine Stevens – thank you so much for everything you have done for me and the pages of this book – and to Manuel Šumberac for his brilliant cover illustrations and Elisabetta Barbazza for her inspired cover designs. I could not be more grateful for what you do or the way in which you do it.
I would also like to thank my agent, Paul Moreton, again, because I’m allowed to, and because he continues to be marvellous.
I thanked my friends and family in The Gold Thief – that does not make their continued support any less important, so thank you again.
Lastly to the four souls that share a house with me – you make me laugh and cry, but mostly laugh. You have done nothing but hinder every word of this book, but only because you’re such exhaustingly good fun. I am as always beyond lucky that you’re mine.