With All My Love (55 page)

‘Better late than never.’ The new guest repeats Valerie’s recent words at the graveside, with a touch of humour. ‘Her mother needed me and I wanted to be with her. It’s a good party. All is well?’

‘Yes, a great party and there’ll be many more. All is very, very well. Everything is just as it should be.’

A
CKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I never write a book alone and so it is with deep gratitude I thank ‘my gang’ for guiding this latest book. Jesus, Our Lady, Mother Meera, St Joseph, St Michael, St Anthony, White Eagle, all my Angels, Saints and Guides and my Beloved Mother who has brought me to a lovely publishing company, Simon & Schuster.

To my dear and precious Dad who takes such an interest and who makes me laugh heartily. To my sister Mary who minds me so well, and to all my family, a big thank you.

To Maureen, a wonderful godmother who has joined my mother in the heavenly realms, fly high and be happy. Thanks for everything.

To Yvonne and Breda who are always the first to read my manuscript and the first to pop a cork!

To Rachel and Maria Bellew, dear nieces, who keep me updated on toys and ‘teenspeak’.

To Pam, Simon, Aidan, Murtagh, Joe, Helen and Cathy, shining beacons of Light and Inspiration who share a vision for The Field and the great adventure to come.

To Alil, always a phone call away, and to Tony and Darren, kindred spirits. To Geraldine Tynan, a wonderful, kind friend. And to Francesca Liversidge and Kevin Redmond who have always been so kind and supportive.

To Claudia, Mary Mac and all my writing friends for the phone calls, emails and cups of coffee. Always a treat to meet up and chat.

To Eileen, Carmel, Bernie and Ann in Flemings who always make us so welcome for the summer.

To Dee and Ray O’Callaghan for providing the most beautiful place in the world to write.

To my neighbours Ruth, Aengus and Naomi, and Angela, Dominic, Conor and Sophie, for all their kindness and for putting up with four months of hammering and banging while the builders were in!

Thanks to all at Gill Hess and co for their Trojan work. Helen, Simon and Dec, we’re on a great new journey. Long may it last.

To all my dear Schusters, in every department, who have warmly welcomed me into their global family. It’s a pleasure and a privilege to work with such an enthusiastic, committed, hard-working team. Maxine, it’s been a joy working with, having fun with, and being edited by you on this book. You’re very special and I’m very lucky. And to Sarah and Judith in the USA, home at last!

I’m very lucky also with my Lutyens & Rubinstein family, Sarah, Daisy, Jane, Anna, Juliet, and Felicity. It gets better and better, thanks for everything.

To Mr. Hannan Mullet and Grainne in the SSC without whom this book would not have been finished when it was. Thanks for fitting me in for the injections and for all the kindness over the years.

To Mr. Paul Moroney and Evelyn in the SSC, thank you so much for the foot op, and for all your kindness. Can’t wait to get into high heels again!!!

To Mr. Paul Neale and Alison, who have dealt with a few ‘dental emergencies’ this year. Thanks for all your care over the years.

I couldn’t let this opportunity go to pay one last tribute and say a very special thanks to Maeve Binchy whose generosity of spirit to all of us authors was a shining example and set the bar high. Rest in peace, you will always be with us in your wonderful books.

And last but never least, a big thank you to my dear readers who make it all worthwhile. I’m so glad to have met some of you on Facebook as well as at the signing sessions. And a huge thanks also to all in the book trade who have been wonderfully supportive all these years. It was great meeting some of you for that fun dinner in London. Times are hard and there is much change in our industry but onwards and upwards.