by K. A. Hobbs
To my twin pillars, Mum and Dad—This writing adventure I’ve found myself on is exciting and brilliant, but also scary and lonely sometimes. You have both been there for me every step of the way, standing strong by my side and anchoring me when it felt like the entire world was against me, and dashing off to support me here, there and everywhere, even at the drop of a hat. You are my world, my inspiration, my very foundations, and I’ll never be able to thank you enough for everything you do for me. Not least Dad’s epic proofreading skills. Thank you for putting up with me disappearing behind the screen of my laptop for hours or days at a time, and always being so enthusiastic to read everything I write. Just remember, if it’s a dirty scene, Kerri wrote it!
To Susie—Since the very first private message we shared on Facebook, you have been one of the very most important people in my world. Thank you for never letting me go a single moment doubting myself, for making me belly laugh until a little bit of wee comes out, for always, always being there no matter how much of a bear I might be. Thank you for sharing your beautiful heart with me, for always getting excited to read everything I write, and for your tireless hours of pimping on Facebook when you are so busy anyway. There are no words for how lucky and grateful I am to have you in my life. If there were, I could write a full novel and still not say all there is to say about you. Thank you for being my partner in crime and always up for another adventure. I can’t wait for the next one!
To Mr. Hobbs and Lily—Thank you so much for sharing your girl with me. I’ll be forever grateful, and I’m so thrilled we got to spend the weekend together in the Lakes.
To my work girlies, Lucy and Davina—Thanks for being the best colleagues ever and for helping me to keep my head above water in the dreaded 2017. Working with you is pure pleasure. Thank you for your amazing support of my writing, even when it takes me away from work, or makes me all dopey even when I’m there. Poo pals for life!
The process of co-writing was one that excited me from the very beginning, but also scared me. How would it work? What if it didn’t work? I needn’t have worried, from the very first word on the page it flowed, it flowed so well I asked myself why I ever thought writing alone was a good idea.
Knowing you have someone who has your back is a wonderful feeling. When the words wouldn’t come, and it was rare with this project, I passed the baton to Heather and she knew where to take it, and I did the same for her. Our words weaved together craeating a world we’re both incredibly proud of. We hope you loved Imogen and Molly, (and of course Seb and George) as much as we do - they mean the world to us.
As always, there are people I’d like to thank so here it goes …
To my co-author and friend, Heather - Where do I begin? You took my offhand comment about writing a book and turned it into an adventure. Thank you for inspiring the most beautiful characters and words, for pushing me to be a better writer and for encouraging me on days I feel like a complete imposter in this crazy book world. Thank you for trusting me with your words and for pushing me to write the really difficult stuff so I can try and heal wounds that have been so raw for so long.
It breaks my heart that you understand the pain I live with every single day, I wish with my whole heart that you didn’t. But I thank our angels every day for bringing us together, I truly believe they have everything to do with us meeting. Just so you know, you can’t get rid of me now, no matter how hard you try. HuffleClaws are forever! I can’t wait to see where this exciting new road takes us next, let’s hope wherever it is, there are Fox’s cookies, Frazzles and Harry Potter.
To Sarah - My girl. What can I say? Thank you for letting me moan when life gets too much, for making me laugh every single day and for always believing in me - especially when I don’t believe in myself. But most of all, thank you for always accepting me as I am - faults and all, and for not making me fit into any one box.
There may be hundreds of miles separating us, but you’re always in my thoughts and usually making my phone buzz with one of your delightful voice messages. We’re going to see more of each other this year I promise. You’re going to be sick of me! Love you, sweetie, to the stars and back.
To Lily - You helped spark the initial idea of this book and encouraged me to write it. You kept me company while I was writing in the office watching the Vampire Diaries and drinking massive mugs of tea. Thank you for naming one of our boys - he’s pretty incredible. Keep being who you are, you’re intelligent, funny and kind and you’re going to go far. I love you more than you will ever know, don’t forget it.
To Mr Hobbs - I hope I never take you for granted, I hope you know that even on my darkest days, you are the brightest light. Thank you for inspiring me, each and every day in little ways you don’t even realise. Thank you for driving all that way that weekend so we could finish this book - I hate to tell you, but it’s going to happen again, get those walking boots ready! They say write what you know, and write from the heart so there’s no real surprise that I write love stories when I’m living the best one of all. I love you doesn't seem enough, but it's the best I have.
To My family - There are too many to name, but thank you for being so supportive and encouraging. Thank you for giving my books to other people to read when you’ve finished them, for telling people that I write and for being proud of what I’ve achieved so far. Your love and support keeps me going, and the many memories we share help inspire my words.
To Mama and Papa Ross - This is my moment to say a big thank you to both of you. You’ve been so kind and supportive. Thank you for welcoming me into your home and for letting me steal so much of Heather’s time. This wouldn’t have happened without your support, I feel blessed to have you in my life.
To Eleanor Lloyd Jones—When we asked you if you were interested in beta reading, we had no idea we were going to get the full editing package within twenty-four hours of sending the file. You selflessly gave up your time to give us the most immense feedback. This book is what it is because of you. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
To our amazing beta readers—Sarah, Alison, Susie, Coops, Eleanor and Laura—Thank you so much for dropping everything to read and give us your feedback. You are all far too good to us. Thank you for your positivity and even for yelling at us about the bits you didn’t like. Seb sends you all cookies and George sends piano sex!
To Hawkrigg cottage—You were picked because of your name, but you gave us the beauty and the isolation we needed to finish this book. We’ll be back, with more words and more Frazzles because truly, writing in that second bedroom, facing each other with the skylight above us was heaven.
Our readers—Thank you for taking a chance on us and this story. For keeping an open mind and just going along with it. Thank you for taking Imogen and Molly into your hearts, for always showing us love and encouragement. We write for us, but we’re able to do it because of you.
Sleeping At Last—Light
Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson—Winter Song
Coldplay—Gravity
Sia—I’m In Here (Acoustic)
Eva Cassidy—Songbird
London Philharmonic Orchestra—Lacrimosa
The Piano Guys—A Thousand Years
Ruelle—I Get to Love You
Anna Kendrick & Justin Timberlake—True Colours
Gabrielle Aplin—Salvation
Philip Selway—Don’t Go Now
Birdy—Wings (Acoustic)
K.A. Hobbs Acknowledgements
The process of co-writing was one that excited me from the very beginning, but also scared me. How would it work? What if it didn’t work? I needn’t have worried, from the very first word on the page it flowed, it flowed so well I asked myself why I ever thought writing alone was a good idea.
Knowing you have someone who has your back is a wonderful feeling. When the words wouldn’t come, and it was rare with this project, I passed the baton to Heather and she knew where to take it, and I did the same for her. Our words weaved together craeating a worl
d we’re both incredibly proud of. We hope you loved Imogen and Molly, (and of course Seb and George) as much as we do - they mean the world to us.
As always, there are people I’d like to thank so here it goes …
To my co-author and friend, Heather - Where do I begin? You took my offhand comment about writing a book and turned it into an adventure. Thank you for inspiring the most beautiful characters and words, for pushing me to be a better writer and for encouraging me on days I feel like a complete imposter in this crazy book world. Thank you for trusting me with your words and for pushing me to write the really difficult stuff so I can try and heal wounds that have been so raw for so long.
It breaks my heart that you understand the pain I live with every single day, I wish with my whole heart that you didn’t. But I thank our angels every day for bringing us together, I truly believe they have everything to do with us meeting. Just so you know, you can’t get rid of me now, no matter how hard you try. HuffleClaws are forever! I can’t wait to see where this exciting new road takes us next, let’s hope wherever it is, there are Fox’s cookies, Frazzles and Harry Potter.
To Sarah - My girl. What can I say? Thank you for letting me moan when life gets too much, for making me laugh every single day and for always believing in me - especially when I don’t believe in myself. But most of all, thank you for always accepting me as I am - faults and all, and for not making me fit into any one box.
There may be hundreds of miles separating us, but you’re always in my thoughts and usually making my phone buzz with one of your delightful voice messages. We’re going to see more of each other this year I promise. You’re going to be sick of me! Love you, sweetie, to the stars and back.
To Lily - You helped spark the initial idea of this book and encouraged me to write it. You kept me company while I was writing in the office watching the Vampire Diaries and drinking massive mugs of tea. Thank you for naming one of our boys - he’s pretty incredible. Keep being who you are, you’re intelligent, funny and kind and you’re going to go far. I love you more than you will ever know, don’t forget it.
To Mr Hobbs - I hope I never take you for granted, I hope you know that even on my darkest days, you are the brightest light. Thank you for inspiring me, each and every day in little ways you don’t even realise. Thank you for driving all that way that weekend so we could finish this book - I hate to tell you, but it’s going to happen again, get those walking boots ready! They say write what you know, and write from the heart so there’s no real surprise that I write love stories when I’m living the best one of all. I love you doesn't seem enough, but it's the best I have.
To My family - There are too many to name, but thank you for being so supportive and encouraging. Thank you for giving my books to other people to read when you’ve finished them, for telling people that I write and for being proud of what I’ve achieved so far. Your love and support keeps me going, and the many memories we share help inspire my words.
To Mama and Papa Ross - This is my moment to say a big thank you to both of you. You’ve been so kind and supportive. Thank you for welcoming me into your home and for letting me steal so much of Heather’s time. This wouldn’t have happened without your support, I feel blessed to have you in my life.
