Song of the Sea Maid (36 page)

Many thanks to:

Jane Conway-Gordon, for reading the first draft of this novel in a day and loving the moment where they scrub Dawnay and ‘find a little girl’.

Suzie Dooré, for saying yes – again! – and to two books this time! And for her excellent and sensitive editing, as ever.

Francine Toon – who also edited the first draft and did so beautifully, particularly regarding her happy memories of Portugal.

Dr. Gillian Williamson for reading the first draft as an historian and providing amazing notes and advice on so many aspects of the period, from mermaids to doctors, the
Gentleman’s Magazine
to benefactors, and jumps to frock coats; Tim Hitchcock for raising the book at the Long Eighteenth-Century Seminar at the Institute of Historical Research and thereby putting me in touch with Gillian, and Denis Judd for suggesting Tim in the first place!

Dr. Helen Williams, Lecturer in English Literature, Northumbria University, for her extremely useful help on aspects of C18th prose.

Dr. Jane McKay for suggesting I look at Prufrock and helping with the final title of the book.

The staff at Burton Constable Hall, Fairfax House and the Foundling Museum, for fascinating glimpses into all things C18th.

The Caird Library and the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich, for assistance with research relating to Robin’s ships and the battle of Menorca.

Samuel Johnson’s House and curator Celine McDaid, who discussed the particulars of Johnson’s abode and era one sunny August afternoon.

David, Donna, Emily and Alex Chadwick, for providing perfect room and board during my London research trip, with great conversation and lovely dinner, as ever.

Russell Beeson for expert botanical advice on plants that would resist the coal smoke of London and on the flora of Menorca.

Dorothy Judd & her friends, who sent me pictures and descriptions of Portuguese islands.

Marie & Kevin Porter and Adele Webster, who supplied meals, cake and child-minding when I really needed it, during the writing of this book.

Clare, Dave, Lucie, Clarke and AJ Wingate, for all your interest and support for my writing (especially AJ).

To everyone who kindly answered my survey on attitudes towards early humans and cave paintings, including Simon, Mum & Russell, Dorothy & Denis, Pauline Lancaster, Kerry Drewery, Francine Koubel, Sheila Houghton, Cathy Smith, Brenda Taylor, Emily Chadwick, Richard Morris, Jennie & Rick Grieve, Robert Chadwick, Jon Chadwick, Kim Doyle, Pete Wall and Chris Sutcliffe.

Early readers – Simon, Mum, Marie, Kerry, Dorothy, Pauline, Francine K., Lynn Downing, Sue White, Josie Gray, Theresa Roberts, Alexis Hepworth, Ann Schlee and Kathy Kendall – whose support and feedback are hugely appreciated and valued.

To all the book bloggers and other lovely people on social media and readers who have attended events, who have welcomed the idea of this book and said they’re looking forward to reading it – thanks for your support and here it is!

Emma Daley, Laura Macdougall, Alix Percy, Naomi Berwin, Jack Dennison and everyone else at Hodder, for their efforts in all things promotional.

Staff at Waterstones Grimsby and Lincoln, as well as all booksellers wherever you are, for supporting me as a writer by stocking my books – I salute you.

To Morag Lyall, copy-editor extraordinaire, for reading with such care and spotting the tiniest of errors and biggest of clangers. Let us dedicate this novel to the six sons …

Samantha Blake at the
Cleethorpes Chronicle
and Laura Crombie at the
Grimsby Telegraph
for their help with publicising events and kindly documenting my career so far.

To everyone at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, for nominating
The Visitors
for the First Book Award 2014, welcoming us to your beautiful city and wonderful events, and providing Simon, Poppy and me with one of our best weekends ever! And a special thanks to Mum, Robert and Suzie for coming.

To Tink and the hedgehogs, for entertainment purposes.

Last and the opposite of least, my favourite people – Poppy and Simon – for ceaseless love and constant support. Heartfelt thanks to Simon – AKA my lovely fella – for all the thoughtful searching for C18th reference sources, for expert photography on our research trips, for reading the first draft first and for keeping the faith in my work always and for ever. And to Poppy for drawing the best front cover design for
The Edge of the Map
…