When I’m a grown-up, I’m still going to make Lego films, but I’m also going to be a magician. I know loads of tricks already, like making coins disappear and rabbits pop out of my hat. I can’t fly just yet, but I will be able to soon. I just need to find the spell.
Acknowledgements
First and foremost, I have to thank my parents. Mum – for filling my childhood with stories and creativity. I’m convinced I wouldn’t have become a writer if it weren’t for you. You are forever an inspiration. Dad – for being the kind of dad who wanted to listen to love songs and watch romcoms with me (and who wasn’t embarrassed to shed a tear at the end). You’re the reason I write what I write! I lucked out to have you both as my parents. You’ve always been there for me, believed in me and been proud of me, no matter what. A million thank yous would never be enough but I hope you know that I am so grateful for everything you have done and continue to do for me.
To the Curtis Brown Creative team – your belief in me is the reason I finally finished this book after years of crippling self-doubt. To my wonderful tutor, Lisa O’Donnell, for constantly pushing me to be better and for helping me to find my voice. To all my course members for your insightful comments. Looking forward to seeing your books being published in the near future.
To my first readers – my very close friends, Alice and Vikki; my parents and my sister, Emily. Thank you for putting up with this novel in its raw stages and for telling me it was great when it really wasn’t.
To my agent, Alice Lutyens, for ‘getting’ my story from the outset, for your help shaping it into the book it is today, for putting up with all of my neurotic emails and always making me laugh at the end of it. I knew when I signed with you I’d be getting an amazing agent, but I didn’t realize I’d also be gaining a friend.
To my editor, Tilda McDonald – for loving Emily, Jake and Alfie as much as I do, and for your intelligent and gentle approach to editing that somehow helps me to find the answers to questions I didn’t even realize I needed to address, and for allowing me to achieve things I never thought possible. To Emma Horton for making the copyedit process such a breeze (and teaching me about the correct use of the hyphen!) and to the rest of the team at Michael Joseph who have worked so hard to get this book to as many readers as possible.
To my husband, Carl – for not moaning (too much) when the house is a mess because I’ve been writing all day, and for always supporting me. I know I don’t say it enough but I am so lucky to have found you.
To my eldest son, Jacob – for so many of Alfie’s wonderful words. I never realized how hard, but also how utterly amazing, parenting could be until I had you. You constantly fascinate me and challenge me to be a better person. ‘Best bugs’ forever. And to my youngest son, Dylan – for filling every day with sunshine, cuddles and giggles. You see the world in such a beautiful way that it makes it all the more beautiful for me too. I hope seeing me following my dreams shows you both that you can achieve yours.
And last but not least, to you, the reader – for your support in reading my book. It is such a privilege to be able to share my words with you. I hope you enjoyed it!
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First published 2020
Copyright © Rachel Marks, 2020
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ISBN: 978-1-405-94008-5
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Table of Contents
Title Page
About the Author
Dedication
Alfie
Emily
Jake
Emily
Jake
Alfie
Emily
Jake
Alfie
Emily
Jake
Emily
Alfie
Jake
Emily
Jake
Alfie
Emily
Jake
Emily
Jake
Emily
Alfie
Jake
Emily
Jake
Emily
Jake
Emily
Alfie
Acknowledgements
Copyright
Saturdays at Noon Page 35
