Big thank yous to my MA writing group, headed up by Hope Caton and attended persistently if not consistently by my beloved writing buddies Robin Bell, Catherine Morris and Sam Hanson.
Other readers to thank are Jackie West for early reading and advice, Alison Gaskins for early reading and encouragement, Gail Shaw for a long conversation about Leeds in the late seventies (even if you did freak me out by having all your Christmas shopping done in October), Jayne Farnworth for tips on police procedure over pints and peanuts, Lynda Crellin for a long conversation about adoption practices in the late seventies, Caroline James for plot discussions over yet more pints and Richard Kipping for birth-certificate stuff and things artistic… thank you and big big love, Fleetwood Mac style.
Thank you to my kids, Ali, Maddie and Franci, for returning to me the energy that writing uses up and for sharing funnies at the end of my working day. I am so proud of all three of you, which is totally irrelevant here but these are my acknowledgements so I can write what I like.
Thanks to my creative-writing students at Richmond Adult Community College for all their love and support, for keeping me focused on this important form of self-expression and for making sure I wash my hair, put on normal clothes and get out of the house sometimes.
Thank you to all my family and friends who have supported me so massively by reading my first book, Valentina – thank you for your likes and shares, reviews, word-of-mouth advertising, book clubs and general flag-waving. You have helped create a readership and been a huge source of encouragement on what has been the most extraordinary journey – you know who you are.
Thank you to all the amazing bloggers, too many to mention. Little over a year ago, I had no idea what a book blogger was but now, well, all I have to say is: you rock! Huge thanks to Tracy Fenton, Helen Boyce, Teresa Nikolic and all the admin team and book nuts at TBC for helping me, and many new authors like me, reach readers, without whom I am shouting into the void, and for posting reviews of Valentina. I hope you enjoy this one just as much.
Thank you to Kim Nash for making joining the Bookouture authors so much fun and to Jane Selley for her amazing eagle-eyed copy-editing skills.
Big thanks to Dad, Stephen Ball, who supports me in many background ways and who, when he read my last book, provided the pithy insight: Three months in that cottage and they’ve not even mowed the lawn yet.
Lastly, massive thanks, as ever, to Mum, Catherine Ball, who reads drafts so hot off the keys they are still warm, who makes me feel normal when I think I’m mad and who is prepared to have countless conversations about my work in progress #reallyquiteboring. You are the best. This book is for you.