Acknowledgements

I raise a glass to:

Dr Mike Cardwell, Lawrence Shaw and Alex Ochs, who answered my queries on medical matters – human and canine; Chris Carr and Fred Davies for lending me their wine lists and Hamish Marett-Crosby and Phillip Silverstone for their expertise on same. Lorraine Dilnot and PC Ken Pickett from Kent Police who were so helpful and the lovely Rikki Arundel, who generously shared her insights. John and Catherine Leech from the Balmoral Wine Bar for letting me prop it up and Patrika Salmon for her encouragement.

Lynne Hackles, Maureen Devlin, Trish Maw and Lynne Barrett-Lee for being the sort of friends every writer needs. Everyone on the ME List – ditto. Katie May for sisterly support. Mike Pearce for his weather eye, Karen Hodgson for being a pal and Nige Derrick, because I forgot him last time (sorry Nige!). Thanks as always to my family – especially my son Tom for his inspiration – and all who made The Harpers Experience what it was…

Finally, and for just about everything else, I am hugely grateful to Teresa Chris, Rachel Loosmore and Hazel Cushion. Thank you so much. The drinks are on me!