My agent: Robert Kirby, for believing in me and making it happen.

My international agents: Ginger Clark and Jane Willis, for making it happen all over the world.

My editors: Bella Pagan and Tricia Narwani, for making it the very best it can be.

My international editors: Eva Grynszpan, Marie-Ann Geissler, and many others, for loving this ever so British book.

My PanMac and Del Rey teams: Lauren, Phoebe, Kate, Jo, Emily, David M, Keith, Thomas, Quinne, David S, Julie, Loren and colleagues, for being an absolute professional pleasure.

My #TeamUA: Kate, Kat, and Yasmin, for having everything covered.

My family: Mum, Jonathan, and Dad, for filling my childhood with books and for always letting me read.

My old friends: Hils, Giles, Tanya, John, and far too many to mention, for always believing that one day you’d hold my book in your hands.

My new friends: Debbie, Taran, Tim, and Nick, for inspiring me and cheering me all the way.

My telly people: Mike, Jacques, Fiona, and Jay, for enabling my great escape.

My first responders: Gav who featured me, Amy who pulled me from the slushpile, and Winchester Library who gave me a writing prize at age eight. Early belief is everything.

My Wattpadres: for being there from the beginning.

My Homies: for buying me drinks along the way.

My Goldies: for believing that creative and intellectual endeavor belong together.

My Swankies: for not letting me do this alone.