As always, I am indebted to my wife Judith,

and sons Timothy, Henry & Malcolm.

Thanks to Gina Keene for her help with production and distribution,

and to Chris Winch who designed the jacket.

My thanks also to many people who have contributed – wittingly or otherwise –

to this work, including:

Jacintha Alexander – Beryl Bainbridge – Gillian Booth – Rob Cameron – Frances Chetwynd

Prof Christopher Cook – Frank Cook – Sara Cornthwaite – Len Douglas – John Farrow

Carole Fraser – Michael Grosvenor Myer – Valerie Grosvenor Myer – Janet Hales

Prof Stephen Hawking – Anna Haycraft – Colin Haycraft – Dr Sheila Lachmann – Chris Lakin

Pam Lakin – Nick Langley – Nicholas Leonard – George Melly – Trish Morris

Tom Rosenthal – Tony Short – Steve Temple – Clive Treacher – Loz Weaver

Rebecca Weaver – Nick Webb – Janet Whelan – Cathy Young