To my wonderful family: where do I start? Thank you for your unwavering belief in me and for all your support. Son and Sim, for all the endless chats, the coffees, and for dreaming with me. Kit, for all your thoughts and excitement at every stage. Dad, thank you for filling the house with poetry and your stories when we were growing up, and not even realizing the impact they had. Thank you, dear Mum, for helping us believe that anything is possible, and for showing us that too. And to my Nano, who is no longer here – but who lives on, fiercely and wildly, in all of us. I will be forever grateful for everything you taught me simply by being you. My very own Akash – with me wherever I go. My dear family, thank you for having such big hearts, and for teaching me to grow mine again after things were hard. You are, all of you, an inspiration.
And, last but not least, to my loves Oli and Benji. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Oli, you have shared my dreams and joined me on this adventure, and it’s been such a privilege to share it with you. And thank you, my darling Benji, for making my dreams bigger. You are so strong and unbelievably kind, and you inspire me every day. You are both my world.
THE BEGINNING
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First published 2019
Text copyright © Emma Smith-Barton, 2019
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Photography © Shutterstock
ISBN: 978-0-241-36332-4
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The Million Pieces of Neena Gill Page 25