This book wouldn’t have been possible without the love and support of my friends and family. Thank you to my stupendous agent, Marilia, and to my wonderful editors, Jess and Hilary. For being patient enough to read early drafts, thank you to Anna, Bryony, Emma, Fran, Christine, Ban, Kate, Laura, Beth, Amy, Nat, Carole, Angela, and the Bayford Hill Book Club. For supporting me emotionally, morally and at times alcoholically through this whole journey, thank you to my York and Goldsmiths families, some of whom are mentioned above but also: Ollie, Nik, Charlie, Patrick, Neil, Chris, Beckie, Paul, Sam, Ellen, Stef, Martha, Cath, Heather, Nuala and Emily. Thank you to Alicia, Lucy, Francis, Linda, Kimmy and Casey for being excellent human beings. To my sister, my brother and my dad for always being my champions. To my mum for everything, especially her generosity about the dangers of having a writer in the family. And, finally, to Chris, for believing in me when I couldn’t.