In Love and War

Acknowledgements

Thanks to the following, without whom this book would have been longer, less accurate or never written at all: my editors, Walter Donohue and Matt Shoard, and my agent, Anna Power. To all at Faber & Faber, particularly Hannah Griffiths, Lee Brackstone and Kate McQuaid. To Silvia Crompton, who held it all together (in exchange for wine). To all at Johnson & Alcock, particularly Ed Wilson. To Glenn Haybittle and Penny Mittler, two inglesi italianati, who were there at the beginning and at the end. To Enrico Giachetti, for priceless first-hand recollections of Firenze Fascistissima. To Michael Brod and the Palazzo Tornabuoni, for their hospitality. To all at St Mark’s Anglican Church, where all of this started. To James Holland, for making sure that my errors in military history were chosen rather than accidental. To Mark Miller and de Havilland Support Ltd for a wonderful day with the Dragon Rapide. To Gerald Wells and the British Vintage Wireless and Television Museum, for their endless patience. To Neil Gower, for the stunning illustrations. To Emma Smith, for strong women. To Damian Barr, Emer Gillespie, Tom Edmunds, Helen Benckendorff, Florence Ballard and Ele Simpson, for their early, insightful and encouraging readings. To my grandfather and my parents, for inspiration past and present. Finally, as ever, to Al, Ray and Ary, with endless love.