Non Pratt - Trouble

“What’s she going to be called?” he asks.

I look down at my baby and see her tiny fingers uncurling and I watch as Aaron puts his little finger in her grasp. I stroke her cheek and she turns towards the feel of it. Look at the amazing little person that I made! I think about all the trouble she caused, the heartache, the lies, the betrayal. But she didn’t cause any of that, did she? Not this little person. Her life starts with a clean slate — the way Aaron’s did.

I glance up at him and smile, then I look back at my baby. I will name her after the most important person in her life. The most important person in mine.

“Her name’s Tyler. Baby Ty.”

I stare at Hannah.

I once told Neville that I needed to do something that mattered — I guess I did.

“Here.” She lifts her baby towards me. “Cuddle your fake daughter.”

I never used to see the point in acknowledgments. (I know, what a douche.) Fortunately I’m a better person these days and I’ve learned that you need to tell people when they’ve been awesome, just in case they don’t realize.

Thank you to Denise Johnstone-Burt and Annalie Grainger — not only for being my favourite editors, but for being two of my favourite people. You have made Trouble the book I wanted to write. And to everyone at Walker Books, including but not limited to Daisy Jellicoe for being thorough and lovely, and Jack Noel for being visionary and creating “The Sperm One”. At S&S US, thank you to both Alexandra Cooper, who spotted this, and Christian Trimmer, who ran with it so unbelievably awesomely. A writer can never have enough editors.

The biggest of all possible gratitude to my awesome agent, Jane Finigan — for finding a title, for finding the right deal and for loving this book more than I do. And for being brilliant on email. And in person. And generally. Actually, the whole Lutyens and Rubinstein crew are pretty brilliant.

Thank you to my beta readers: first and foremost Laura Hedley for not hating it; Liz Bankes, whose reaction I read when I’m feeling blue; Conrad Mason — I pretty much owe you my firstborn for this; and Freddie Carver, who does not deserve this credit whatsoever, given that he failed to read the manuscript.

For the erstwhile BWC crew, Cat Clarke and Kate no-longer-Knighton — I miss you both. Writing chapters without the reward of a pint in the pub isn’t quite as rewarding.

A huge shout out to the book bloggers who I met online before I met in person. You are all proper champions, but I would specifically like to thank Kirsty Connor for suggesting Neville’s favourite drink and making sure I get invited to things and Liz de Jager — no longer a blogger, but for ever a friend, one who’s held my hand as we walked the path of publication together.

It makes sense to thank my family right about now. Mum — you’ve got a dedication, which makes the whole book an acknowledgement really. And Dad, who understands that being there has nothing to do with geography.

And Pragmatic Dan — thank you for all of the things, but especially the patience.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or, if real, used fictitiously. All statements, activities, stunts, descriptions, information and material of any other kind contained herein are included for entertainment purposes only and should not be relied on for accuracy or replicated as they may result in injury.

First published 2014 by Walker Books Ltd

87 Vauxhall Walk, London SE11 5HJ

Text © 2014 Leonie Parish

Cover design by Walker Books Ltd

The moral rights of the author have been asserted

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted or stored in an information retrieval system in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, taping and recording, without prior written permission from the publisher.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data:

a catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

ISBN 978-1-4063-5410-2 (ePub)

www.walker.co.uk