A Year of Marvellous Ways (27 page)

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the following people for their support, generosity and kindness during the writing of this book:

My family, especially my mum, for being so inspiring, and my nephew and niece, Tom and Kate Winman, for being such enthusiastic early listeners.

Everyone at Tinder Press for their energy and commitment, most notably my editor Leah Woodburn for her guidance and for encouraging me to write the story I wanted to write, and Vicky Palmer for her marketing magnificence.

My friends, here and abroad, for everything we have shared and continue to share. Sharon Hayman for your wisdom and encouragement and for all that you are. Patricia Flanagan, David Lumsden, Sarah Thomson, Simon Page-Ritchie, Melinda McDougall, David Micklem, Andrew McCaldon, Vin Mahtani and Maura Brickell, for that perfectly timed phone-call or dinner or drink or walk, or for making me laugh when I often felt like doing the opposite. Selina Guinness for knowing the right thing to say. Thank you to The Gentle Author and the community that has grown around Spitalfields Life blog – you are a constant reminder of why we do what we do. Thank you to St. JOHN Bar and Restaurant, Smithfield, for always being there.

Thank you Nelle Andrew for looking after me so meticulously over that summer, and everyone at PFD for your unwavering support. Thank you to Samia Spice, Paddy Ashdown and Tim Fraser for your help with the last minute panic. My sincere thanks to Tim Binding for taking the time to help me see the story clearly. Thank you Graham and Sheena Pengelly for the starfish, Maureen for afternoons of tea and putting the world to rights, and Old Stan for evenings of whisky and tales.

Research is not something that comes easily to me and I find it sleep inducing at the best of times, frustrating at the worst, and a hindrance, always, to my childlike impulse to spontaneously tell a story. However, the following people, institutions and organisations have made this process enriching – even enjoyable, dare I say it – and I thank you all: The British Library, London Metropolitan Archives, Brian Polley at the London Transport Museum, National Railway Museum and First Great Western, Dover Ferry Photos, Angela Broome at the Royal Cornwall Museum, the Cornwall Record Office, Alison Courtney.

And finally . . .

Robert Caskie. My dear friend and agent. You have endured so many versions of this book and maintained a smile throughout that thanks hardly seem enough. But I am forever grateful for the way you have guided me through this process with such humour, loyalty and belief. In the words of Tina Turner, you’re ‘Simply the Best’.

Patricia Niven. I have you to thank for everything.