by June Taylor
So all that remains for me is to wish you and Eloise many more years of happiness and success in your lives, and if there is ever anything I can assist you with, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
With much love to you both.
Your crazy Italian friend
Luca Ricci
PS I must also break the sad news to you that Chrissy the cat died a few days ago. She always did prefer Juliet to me.
Eloise stepped out onto the walkway and stood next to Chrissy.
‘Did you try to save her, Mum? She was such a great swimmer; I just don’t see how she could drown.’
Chrissy shook her head. ‘She made no effort to swim. Carried rocks into the lake, like Virginia fucking Woolf.’
‘But you tried to stop her though. You tried to reach her, tried to pull her out. Didn’t you?’
Chrissy didn’t answer. Eloise saw a strange look pass across her face. She shivered involuntarily then admonished herself for even asking that question. This was her mother she was talking about; she would never have let Juliet drown. Would she?
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First of all, I’d like to thank Shelley Instone for being such a great supporter and believer in the early stages of this book. Your blood, sweat, toil and tears are very much within these pages. Such an amazing editor and motivator. I’d also like to thank Abi Fenton, who worked with Shelley in the days when she was a literary agent. The pair of you made it so much fun, but always professional. We were a good team, the Northern powerhouse in fact. And all the other readers Shelley got on board, your input really helped too.
I would have stopped writing years ago if it wasn’t for Script Yorkshire. Yes, I got roped onto the Board and, several years on, still help run the Organisation, but it has enabled me to connect with other writers across the region and I’ve made some lovely friends along the way. I’d especially like to thank Sharon Oakes for your constant encouragement, Gary Brown for making that writing penny finally drop, plus the rest of the gang. You’re the best. David Nobbs, former Patron, brilliant writer and all round lovely man, I miss you. I’ll never forget your words when I asked if you had any tips: “Well, June. It never gets any easier!”
Also Fiona Gell of Leeds Big Bookend, whose enthusiasm for the local writing scene never seems to wane. I don’t know where you get your energy from.
Lucy Dauman, you were the missing piece in my writing jigsaw for this book as Editor at HarperCollins. Special thanks to you, and for making the editing process so enjoyable. Thanks to the Killer Reads team in general.
To my family, thank you for never discouraging me and for putting up with me and my obsession. The ones who aren’t around to see a book of mine actually get published, I’m sad about that, so this is for you. My dad would have been proud, I hope. My mum remains a constant pillar of strength in my life. You are truly amazing.
My friends, too many to name, but thanks for all your support over the years. With good people around you it’s possible to get through the difficult things life throws at you. But a special thank you to fellow author Maria Malone who shares the writer’s pain, and the two friends who have endured me the longest, Amanda and Al.
Finally, Tim, I cannot thank you enough. You sure as hell know why!
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About the Author
June Taylor is a UK writer who was runner-up in the 2011 Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction competition with her Young Adult novel, Lovely me, Lovely You. Losing Juliet, a psychological thriller, is her debut adult novel. She was a TV promos writer/producer for many years before becoming a full-time writer. June also writes plays as well as fiction. She is very active in the Yorkshire writing scene, on the Board of Script Yorkshire and part of Leeds Big Bookend.
Follow June on Twitter: @joonLT
Visit June’s website at: www.junetaylor.co.uk
About the Publisher
Australia
HarperCollins Publishers (Australia) Pty. Ltd.
Level 13, 201 Elizabeth Street
Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
http://www.harpercollins.com.au
Canada
HarperCollins Canada
2 Bloor Street East - 20th Floor
Toronto, ON, M4W, 1A8, Canada
http://www.harpercollins.ca
New Zealand
HarperCollins Publishers (New Zealand) Limited
P.O. Box 1
Auckland, New Zealand
http://www.harpercollins.co.nz
United Kingdom
HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.
1 London Bridge Street
London, SE1 9GF
http://www.harpercollins.co.uk
United States
HarperCollins Publishers Inc.
195 Broadway
New York, NY 10007
http://www.harpercollins.com
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Epigraph
Table of Contents
Prologue
Part One
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Part Two
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Epilogue
Acknowledgements
About the Author
About the Publisher