Acknowledgements

In the writing of this work of fiction I’m grateful for all the help I’ve had. Despite his busy schedule, my husband, Alan, read early drafts and with his encouragement helped me more than he can ever know. And later, my friend and editor Nadine Davidoff was both bracing and liberating. Being accepted by publisher Meredith Curnow was special enough, but hearing her speak of the characters as if they were real was completely unforgettable and will always stay with me. And Brandon VanOver has been a kind and thoughtful editor with that rarest quality, a sense of humour. My RMIT teacher, Antoni Jach, was also helpful and my dear friend Margaret Geddes listened to more than her share of potential plots along the journey that this book has become. My sister, Sarah, and my brothers, Anthony and Russell, were generous and patient during the writing of the novel, and I thank them for it. Finally, thank you to my children Phoebe, Alice and Christopher; you are always inspiring.