“Sure. I’ll get there as soon as I can. See you in the water.”
The woman at the lido kiosk looks flushed and entirely lethargic; she takes my money without bothering to say a word. Behind her, I can only see a small section of the pool, but it sounds fairly empty, and when I get to the changing room I find it busy, but everyone is dressing to leave rather than to swim. I change quickly and emerge to find the late-evening sunlight still warm on my skin and only three other people in the lido. I dive into the cool, clear, sterile water, so different from the water at Kanu Cove, or even at Horseshoe Bay, and break into a relaxed front crawl, and below me, a long, sinuous shadow uncoils itself to slide effortlessly through the water, always just out of the reach of vision.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
So, this is book number three. An interesting number, that: big enough that I ought to have known what I was embarking on but not so large as to suggest that I might be an old hand at it. It’s true that How to Kill Your Best Friend was, in certain practical ways, an easier writing experience than book two—not least because I’d already had the experience of writing to a deadline with The Missing Years—but I’m beginning to suspect that, on an emotional level, it will never get any easier. My inherent levels of neurosis simply won’t allow that; I don’t think I will ever feel like an old hand. Therefore, to my family, who have the dubious pleasure of living with this anxious, insecure author, I can only say—with apologies—that this is probably as good as it gets! And, thank you: your love and support is a gift beyond all measure. I must also say an extra-special thank-you to my gorgeous boys, Cameron and Zachary, for the gusto and relish with which they offered up (highly inventive) suggestions of how one might kill a person for the “Method” sections; not the most conventional after-school conversation topic, it’s true, but so far they don’t show any sign of being scarred for life . . .
To my wondrous agent, Marcy Posner at Folio Lit, a galaxy of thanks. I’ve said it before and I’m sure I’ll say it many, many times again, but I genuinely couldn’t have managed it without your steadying hand, keen eye for detail and thoughtful advice. How lucky I was to be on the same train as you all those years ago! Thank you also to Anna Shapiro for her thorough reading and intelligent comments, and to Maggie Auffarth for her continued, and much appreciated, help with all areas of the social media universe.
For me, How to Kill Your Best Friend will not sit in my memory as a Covid-19 novel, as the main bulk of it was written before the pandemic became apparent. However, a certain amount of editing, and the vast majority of the work on the publishing side, has taken place under the shadow of the disease. So, to Kerry Donovan and the excellent team at Berkley and Penguin Random House, my sincere thanks. In these most trying of circumstances, and in the face of a seemingly endless stream of obstacles, I’ve been so impressed to see everyone working tirelessly with the same commitment, dedication and professionalism as ever, and (even more impressively) with no loss of enthusiasm. Thank you so much for your support of this book and of my writing career. Thank you also to Sarah Hodgson for her very helpful comments on the manuscript, and also to the rest of the team, too, at Atlantic Books, who, besides being wonderfully professional, are also extremely good company over a glass or two of wine!
To all my friends: I have not seen enough of any of you, and it’s not even my fault. I’m so looking forward to a time when we can plan coffees, lunches and dinners with abandon; I think it will be all the more special when that time comes. To the swimtrek gang: we really have to start planning another trip soon; it’s been far too long . . .
Lastly, I want to thank my readers. Covid-19 has, for many of us, highlighted the importance of the basics. Health, shelter, security, family and relationships—the pandemic has constantly reminded us not to take these for granted. For many of us who have faced, and may still be facing, restrictions that prevent us from seeing friends and family or traveling, books have been a welcome refuge: another way of meeting people, of stepping out into different worlds; another way of feeling connected in a time of isolation. I always enjoy hearing from my readers, but the messages I’ve received during this period have been especially welcome and particularly poignant: a shining strand of connection in these difficult times, and a reminder of the power and reach of the written word. So, to all of you, dear readers: thank you so much for choosing to take my books into your lives. It’s an honor and a privilege that I will never take for granted.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lexie Elliott grew up in Scotland, at the foot of the Highlands. She graduated from Oxford University, where she obtained a doctorate in theoretical physics. A keen sportswoman, she works in fund management in London, where she lives with her husband and two sons. The rest of her time is spent writing, or thinking about writing, and juggling family life and sport.
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