High Sobriety (41 page)

Above all, I'm indebted to the two women who grounded me, nurtured me, put up with my erratic moods, and made sure that I ate and left the house during that long summer of writing — my soul sisters, Loretta and Kath. Thank you doesn't even come close. Your friendship is my anchor.

And I couldn't have written this book without the support of my incredible family. Neil, Ker, Daisy, and Orla — my personal cheer squad — your encouragement gives me the belief that I can do anything. Dad, thank you for the writing genes you passed on, and for your unwavering faith in me throughout my life. Your love and support have helped me more than you'll ever know. Mum, you taught me the importance of living life as if no-one's watching. Thank you (and sorry) for all those late-night, incoherent phone calls, for dancing with me on bar tops and in steam trains, and for loving me with a ferocity that makes the miles irrelevant.

Finally, to Fiona, the girl I have loved my whole life — heartfelt thanks for a friendship that continues to nourish and inspire me, and most of all for letting me share Jude's life with the world. Your sparkly little boy has changed everything.

1 About the Author

2 Title Page

3 Copyright Page

4 Dedication

5 Prologue

6 Before

7 January

8 February

9 March

10 April

11 May

12 June

13 July

14 August

15 September

16 October

17 November

18 December

19 After

20 Afterword

21 Acknowledgements