The Icarus Girl

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

DAH (DAVlD GIBBONS) because this novel wouldn’t have happened, none of it, if it wasn’t for you.

FIFI (RAFIF AL-RUHAIMI), my first girlina-fan, partly because you missed your stop on the Tube whilst reading a story of mine (how cool!), and partly because you charmed/bullied me into writing more.

KITTY (CATHERINE UMEH), that Ibo girl, and LEE-LEE (LIDIA DE FREITAS) of the CVMS Paperclip Klan — you’ve both been amazingly encouraging, and because you put up with my bitter tirades against everyone who dared to be having a life whilst I wrote The Icarus Girl.

JON-O-FUN (JONATHAN JAMES) for the same, and also ’cause you’re, like, a total dude. Plus. . you joined in my rants against peanut butter.

JENNY WILLIAMS because you’re kind to everyone, including me, when they need it most.

ROBIN WADE for your friendship, and also because you’re a wicked literary agent.

ALEXANDRA PRINGLE because I’m so glad my first novel was edited by someone who is sensitive to what I’m trying to say. Also, you are so much fun! (Hey, thanks for taking me to that educational reading, Alexandra. .)

LORNA OWEN and ANTONIA TILL, that fierce Helen-critic (haha), who both engaged so startlingly with Jess’s world.