‘It’s a game,’ he says, ‘You have to guess.’
‘We’ve turned back.’ I say this but really we’ve come 360 degrees and we’re almost opposite the post office, coming up to Snappy Snaps, and we’ll keep going all the way up the road, and soon we’ll walk into Clementine’s. And Dad and Arial will be there, along with March and Viv, and Wendy and Fran and Nick and Amira and Lucas and even Jess, who I’m back in touch with properly now and who’s been asking weirdly specific details about train times.
Maybe Stevie Wonder will sing ‘Happy Birthday’ as I walk in the door and Dad will present the rainbow cake I overheard him tell Arial about. He’s been so keen to show his support since he found out and he’s nothing if not on the nose, that man. Only Wendy will have explained the whole bi-colours thing to him by now too and he’ll no doubt be completely thrown by it all. Then Pez will stand over the seventeen flickering flames saying Go on, Vetty, blow! and I know that as I close my eyes and make a wish I’ll always remember this day because today I am ready. Today is my launch point. Today I am real.
Acknowledgements
Hannah Sandford, I’ve got to start with you. Stephen King put it best when he said, ‘To write is human, to edit is divine.’ Your notes are eerily sharp and insightful, but most thrilling and disturbing of all is that you are always right. Always! Your talent is otherworldly. This was a tough book to weight correctly, but you stood by patiently as I hacked away, ever trusting that those tender teenagers were in there somewhere. A huge, heartfelt thank you. I am extraordinarily grateful.
Rebecca McNally, Publishing Director of children’s books at Bloomsbury, thank you for giving this book such a wonderful home. Managing Editor Fliss Stevens and all the Bloomsbury crew, thank you for your A-game professionalism.
Extra special thanks to Marianne Gunn O’Connor, my magical superpowered agent. You are an enduring force of joy and support. Thank you for always believing in me. Thanks too to Paddy O’Doherty and Vicki Satlow for the ongoing encouragement.
This book is dedicated to Vivienne Griffin, my first best friend. For the girl you were and the uniquely brilliant woman you are. You’ve been gladdening my life since we were six years old. This book is all about the special connections we’re lucky to find in life; the kind of friends with whom we can truly be ourselves, and the vulnerability that underpins these cherished bonds. This story is for all the luminous women who embolden me daily, especially my dearest Jessica Parker. I don’t know what I’d do without our superlative chats and those late-night cartwheels. It’s for the incomparable Irish women who’ve long galvanized me and kept me sane, and for all my knock-down, fabulous Somerset friends, with notable high fives for the kick-ass runners with whom I share mud-soaked therapy sessions in the rain. I love you all.
For the gorgeous community of authors, bloggers, readers and booksellers who championed No Filter. Particular thanks must go to Mariella Frostrup, Rowan Coleman, Jackie Lynam, Sue Leonard and Manor Books, Malahide. I am more grateful than you could possibly know. To Daisy Woods, thank you, for generously allowing me to pick your dazzling teenage brain. To Ian and Renate Larkin for kindly indulging my Clifton-life fantasy last August.
To Niamh, my big sister, thank you for your invaluable expertise on all things medical. Everyone should be lucky enough to have a doctor in the family. Hi to baby Dara too, for showing up in our world and simply being delicious. To my magnificent mother, Maura, my inimitable well of wisdom, your love follows me everywhere. Thank you for always being there.
Alfie and Mabel, my beloved children. I’ve no idea what we did to deserve you two, but hey, thanks for being you. You’re just THE BEST. If you ever read this, just skip the cringy bits. And for the record, I don’t love the dog more. *waves* Hi, Mildred!
And always, always my husband, Alan, my first reader, my forever love, the one who makes everything feel possible. Thank you!
Finally, for everyone who reads this book. You’re the reason it was written.
About the Author
Born in Dublin, Orlagh left Ireland after university to break into the film industry in London, working on productions such as Calendar Girls and Ali G before taking over as Head of Physical Production at Pathé Films, where she oversaw numerous award-winning films including Breakfast on Pluto and The Queen. Orlagh co-produced the BIFA-winning documentary Joe Strummer: The Future is Unwritten and Mary Shelley, starring Elle Fanning. Orlagh lives in Somerset with her husband and their two children. All the Invisible Things is her second novel for Bloomsbury.
BLOOMSBURY YA
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First published in Great Britain in 2019 by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Copyright © Orlagh Collins, 2019
Orlagh Collins has asserted her right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as Author of this work
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publishers
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN: PB: 978-1-4088-8833-9; eBook: 978-1-4088-8832-2
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