The Train to Paris (25 page)

I wanted to linger while I still could. There was a gypsy woman carrying her baby, waiting for somebody to stop and talk to her. A little boy tried to follow his father's impatient stride. A young man with glasses and a scarf was playing a stilted piece on the violin.

And a woman with golden hair and painted nails walked past, pretending to have purpose and that life to her meant nothing more.

Acknowledgements

This book would not
have been possible without my agent Michael Gifkins, who has been tireless in his support, and whose efforts have helped immeasurably in bringing it to publication.

I am deeply grateful to everyone at Text Publishing, who have all been enthusiastic about the book from the start. In particular I would like to thank Michael Heyward, both for believing in the novel and for his guidance. Thanks also to my editor Rebecca Starford, and to Jane Novak and Anne Beilby for all their help.

Finally, I wish to thank my family for their constant support and encouragement.