by Leanne Hall
‘We’ll be late if we don’t leave now.’ Aunt Ursula shepherded Iris into the back seat.
The car slid away from the house and along the driveway. Señor Garcia turned to check they’d put their seatbelts on and chirped loudly when he saw Iris kneeling on the seat to look through the rear window.
Jordi was running behind their car, a light bobbing up and down with him. Iris rolled down her window and stuck her head out.
‘I will email you!’ he yelled. ‘And video chat, promise?’
‘Yes!’ Iris waved until her hand felt like it was going to drop off.
Behind Jordi, beyond the edge of the road, she glimpsed something half hidden in the forest. The Exquisite Corpse creature ran alongside them, dodging trees, but keeping pace. Its eyes flashed like coins in the darkness; it was fleet of foot and free.
Acknowledgements
Iris and the Tiger has had a long gestation, and many helpful readers along the way.
The book started in a cabin in the forests of Oregon, where I drew, hiked, played, photographed, read and dreamt of surrealism. Many thanks to Caldera Arts for hosting me, and particular thanks to Elizabeth Quinn and Kathy Spezza for their support during my residency.
Heartfelt thanks to the friends and peers who read and gave thoughtful feedback on my many drafts: Andrew McDonald, Myke Bartlett, Chris Miles, Jack Nicholls, Gabrielle Williams and Marisa Pintado. Your diplomacy, encouragement and keen interest carried me through. Thanks also to Ed Moreno for his Spanish language skills.
Every author needs a good day job, and during the writing of this novel I’ve been lucky to be part of the Booked Out Speakers Agency, Readings and School of Life families.
Thanks to everyone at Text for their ongoing belief in me, and particular thanks to Rebecca Starford for her calm, organised and rigorous editing.
Finally, thank you to my family and to Grant, for being there for me in every possible way.