I wrote this while being kicked to kingdom come, from the inside, by four legs. Four. That’s a ridiculous number. Human beings cannot, I feel sure, have been designed for BOGOF reproduction. Fortunately, I love them very much, even though one just puked on me and the other is currently fixing me with a look that says, ‘Get ready to put another load of laundry on …’ But if there’s one thing that doing something a bit hard and hurty does, it’s make you stronger – so thank you to the two mini-Vikings now out, proud, loud and marauding on the outside. Hear them roar, every two hours (with extra decibels at night). My husband, the Lego Man, did some first-rate latte-papa parenting to allow me to write this and our toddler, Little Red, proved invaluable at fetching ‘warm paper’ from the printer when needed (though he’s still mightily cheesed off that this book isn’t about diggers).
The biggest of thank yous must go to the team at Ebury for bringing Gone Viking to the world – to my fabulous commissioning editor Emily Yau; to Gillian Green, the phenomenal publishing director for fiction; plus Steph Naulls and Tessa Henderson for publicity and marketing wizardry.
I am ever grateful to my splendid agent, Anna Power, for her support, assistance and general superwoman credentials.
My traditional Viking education came courtesy of the Kongernes Jelling Museum in Jutland, as well as Diana, Karen, Gudrun, Bjarne and the team at Ribe Viking centre, who were unbelievably patient while teaching a heavily pregnant Brit how to axe-throw and make authentic Viking tar. Roskilde Viking Ship Museum sailing instructor and navigation teacher Karen Andersen opened my eyes to a brave new world of ‘being in touch with nature ’n’ that’ and is the source of my new favourite swan fact. Go visit all these places: they are fascinating and you’ll see A LOT of excellent beard-work.
I’m hugely grateful for the help of the information nurse team at Cancer Research UK for checking factual accuracy (visit www.cancerresearchuk.org for more information and those affected by cancer can call CRUK’s nurses on 0808 800 4040). My chats with Alexandra King from Cancer Research UK were instrumental – and she’s an inspiration (#Viking).
And thanks as always to my tribe for showing me how modern-day Vikings roll. For introducing me to Icelandic horses and lambs in cupboards (Katie); for insight into dentistry (Jill); for opening my eyes to contemporary retreat options (Matthew); and for crucial help with character names (Rob, who’s miffed that he hasn’t been mentioned in previous books. So there. R.O.B.). To Emily, Chrissy, Caroline, Sarah and Joe for unflagging support from the motherland as well as my actual mother, for bringing me up to believe that girls can do anything. To Tara and Fen for early brainstorming over gin; to Frauke and Jackie for sanity breaks when I was nearing the end of my housebound tether; and to every badass Viking I’ve been inspired by during five years of living Danishly: you rock.