Carlos Santiago accepted Raymondo’s marriage proposal on the stroke of midnight. It was the second offer he couldn’t turn down that day: Kirk Kelner had asked him to help shop for a new wardrobe the following week.
Kirk Kelner saw in the New Year in his hotel suite with a magnum of champagne, a pile of coke and hot Swedish twins. Next year he’d settle down a little. But for now, God, he loved being Kirk Kelner.
Acknowledgements
Thank you…
Diana Beaumont, my literary agent at Rupert Heath. Without your patience, experience and gentle prodding I doubt Scandalous would ever have been completed… especially during that six-month bender when I didn’t write a word.
Alex Armitage, who introduced me to Diana with the words, ‘You should think about writing a book.’
My editor Kate Burke for making this so much fun from the moment you said yes. For the title, which came to you in a dream, the changes you suggested and for being a cool cat.
Clare Parkinson, who made this flow with an incredible eye for details and, thankfully, for time lines. Thanks also to Sarah Hulbert and Francesca Russell.
I am thrilled to be with Michael Joseph and Penguin. It’s a dream come true.
Those who have given me chances along the way, keep me in work or are kindred spirits. Some tick all three boxes. David Dinsmore, Craig Latto, Richard Melvin, Mike Graham, Billy Boyle and Annie O’Hare. There are more of you and I thank you.
Barrie Musgrave and Mark England for changing my life.
Everyone at the Sun and Scottish Sun. There are many of you who taught me so much but special thanks to Rebekah and David for choosing me as your first graduate, fellow grad James, Fergus and my showbiz mentors Dominic and Victoria.
For your generosity in making Scandalous even more special and fun, Chris Palmer and David ‘Willow’ Williams at Ladbrokes and Andy Agar at Why Not.
Ah, dear friends and muckers, by its nature, this novel may contain observations that have been borrowed, OK stolen, along the way. I hope a collective thank you – or sorry – will suffice. When Suzanne married Hartley Beames, well, come on, it was too good not to inspire the names of two characters. To the Dundee High School Class of ’95 – Brodes, Zoe, Ali, Sal, S-J, Sus, Claire – and the boys, not least Barnaby, Paul, Guy, thank you for friendship, beds (especially during the recent nomad stage when my car was my home), drunkenness and loyalty. Ails and Charlie and all my friends from Edinburgh Uni. There’s only one Ali Mackie.
My grandfather David ‘Papa’ Maxwell, you are the best man I know.
My beautiful little sister, Holly Maxwell-Stevenson, you rock. And, of course, Alan.
This book is dedicated to my mum, Anne Maxwell-Stevenson, for bringing me up and making it so much fun. You made me see anything is possible and make me laugh more than anyone else in the world. We stick together like jube jubes.
How lucky I am to have you all.
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