Remember, all you need is hope, and if no one gives you that hope, find it yourself. Never give up looking. It may only be a tiny bit you discover, but never let it slip through your fingers. Hope grows like an acorn grows into a mighty oak. All you have to do is hold on tight. Treat every minute like a precious gift, which has the ability to give you bright, shiny new memories. Memories of a life that is about to start, completely covering you in the joy that has been waiting so long to find you.
Wake up, grab the dream. The dream that belongs to you – it’s your dream. And live your life freely, away from the memories that have kept you locked up against your will.
Smile and enjoy your new day, after all, it is still yours.
Pack your memory boxes with hope – and never look behind you.
Acknowledgements
I WOULD LIKE to thank Sam, our beautiful sons and their amazing wives and fiancées for continuing to support me through my journey. Without their love and strength guiding me through some of the most difficult times in my life, I probably would never have come this far. I love you all so much, thank you for giving me precious memories, sharing infectious laughter and laying the path for the memories we haven’t had chance to make, but which I know are waiting just around the corner. I would also like to say thanks to my ‘big sis’. She has not just been a sister but a true friend; our bond continues to gain strength. She’s fab and I love her.
My heartfelt gratitude goes to John Blake, my publisher, for believing in me as a writer. Without him none of this would have been possible and my story would have remained untold. Also my thanks go to Chris Mitchell, my editor, for guiding me through the last steps of this journey.
Finally, to my friends, you all continue to amaze me… you are my superstars!
Copyright
Published by John Blake Publishing Ltd,
3 Bramber Court, 2 Bramber Road,
London W14 9PB, England
www.johnblakepublishing.co.uk
www.facebook.com/johnblakebooks
twitter.com/jblakebooks
This edition published in 2014
ISBN: 978 1 78418 028 7
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data:
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
Design by www.envydesign.co.uk
Printed in Great Britain by CPI Group (UK) Ltd
1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2
© Text copyright Sarah Preston 2014
The right of Sarah Preston to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
Papers used by John Blake Publishing are natural, recyclable products made from wood grown in sustainable forests. The manufacturing processes conform to the environmental regulations of the country of origin.
Every attempt has been made to contact the relevant copyright-holders, but some were unobtainable. We would be grateful if the appropriate people could contact us.
The cover picture is of a model and cover photography © Voisin/Phanie/Rex
Escaping the Darkness Page 15