The Final Child

by Fran Dorricott

  Erin’s mum had been devastated by the truth, hadn’t eaten or slept for days when she found out what had happened. When she was ready, Erin insisted we were honest with her, so we spoke openly about almost everything. We talked about the house, the children, Jenny’s death, and Dana and Peter Wood. But when we mentioned Alex it was delicately, the focus always on something else. And neither of us ever dared to say that Alex was still out there. That he might, one day, come back to finish what he started. And she never said it either.

  I pulled myself back to my bedroom. To Erin. To the book. I already had a lot of interest lined up – I knew it had potential to do good. To raise a profile. The money would help people who needed it.

  Erin lifted her head from my chest and looked at me, tears sparkling in her eyes. I dragged myself away from the darkness and back to the January cold and the snow outside. Back to our nest in the middle of it all.

  “I want to read it,” Erin said. “All of it.”

  I knew then that we were both stronger than we had been. He had made us stronger. And when he came back, if he did, we would have a plan. We would be ready. And we would fight him together.

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  EVERYBODY WARNED ME HOW hard second books are to write, and it turns out they weren’t wrong! I couldn’t have written this book without a long list of people, and I’m grateful to every single one of you.

  Huge thanks goes to my powerhouse of an agent, Diana Beaumont. Your insight into the earliest draft of this novel helped me to burrow deep into its heart. Thank you for continuing to have faith in me when I don’t have faith in myself. I’m also grateful to have the support of the team at Titan behind me. Thanks to Lydia, Sarah, Hayley, to Joanna for your detailed notes, and to Julia Lloyd for another stunning cover. Extra special thanks goes out to my editor Cath Trechman. Your patience and bountiful ideas have made this book endlessly better.

  The writing journey isn’t always smooth but I have the best writer friends. Doomsbury has changed my life, so thanks to Roz, Sophie, Lou and Jo for celebrating and commiserating, and for always being there when I need to talk. Roz, you get the Title Medal! Thank you to Finn, Litty, Liz and Vallery for still inviting me to Crime Kisser workshops even though I haven’t made it in a while. I love you guys and I’m so grateful to be a part of the team. And last, but certainly not least: #SauvLife. I have so much love to give to Chris, Lizzie and Jenny for your friendship, warmth, and unwavering loyalty.

  The Final Child is more technical than I ever gave the first draft credit for, so a massive thanks goes out to all the people who have had a hand in helping me get stuff right. All errors are my own, but I’m indebted to Vicki Bradley, Ducky, and Jo for suffering through my annoying procedural questions, to Colleen Crook for the medical advice, and to Jennifer Brown for valuable insight into the world of dogs! I’m privileged to know so many clever, altruistic people.

  To everybody who has been there for me over the last few years, who has showed up to support After the Eclipse and The Final Child, this journey would have been a hell of a lot lonelier without you. Thanks especially to Ginny Larkin-Thorsen, Rowan Detmers, Allison Hargett, Becky Clarke, Natalie Beale, Vanessa Chainey, Isabel Muller, and Alex Doughty, Kate McRae, Freddi Freeth, and all the lovely readers at EMR. I love you all!

  Everybody at Waterstones gets a special mention for letting me moan and complain without batting an eyelid. To Jo for your boundless support and enthusiasm, to Michelle for being the warmest, loveliest person I know and for making my days a lot brighter, to David and Laura for your laughter (whether that be over Tarot or CAH), and to Su, Catherine, Bec, Jane and Cath for being so awesome to work with. Of course special, endless thanks go to Callie. It started as a joke, but #Trashfire is a miracle that has brought us together and I’m so grateful that I get to call you my best friend. Thank you for the rants, the raves, the Costa breakfasts, the McDonald’s lunches, and the unwise Titanic-quote-a-thon(s). Next time let’s maybe start earlier so we can finish before 2 a.m.

  As always, I couldn’t do any of this without my family. Endless love to Mum and Steve for battling the doggy recovery suite so I had time to edit and for lending an ear whenever I need one. Thank you to Dad for always being the first person to listen to the audiobook (and for the cream tea enthusiasm). Alisha, you’re the best little sister in the world. Thank you for making me laugh so hard I cry and for always giving me solid horror movie recommendations (oh, how the tides have turned). To Katharine, Luke and Isaac, thank you for your support launching After the Eclipse and letting me get away with playing Spyro all Christmas.

  Tom, you are the best plot-hole-solver I’ve ever met, so thank you for responding to my panicked messages with simple (yet genius) answers, and for not being mad when I reply only in gifs. Thank you for your company, your effortless friendship, and the continued pet-wrangling.

  Big shout out to the animal crew for being far too distracting and far too cute. Thank you to Zeus, Xena, Juno, Shadow, Jet and Ellen for the cuddles and the bites, and for giving me a reason to get out of my chair when I cannot standing looking at the screen for one minute more.

  Sian, thank you for putting up with me, and for not getting too mad when I spoiled the ending (still sorry about that!). Thank you for being so enthusiastic about all of my projects, and for attempting to navigate my confused calendars when even I struggle. Truly, your love and support mean the world and I’m so happy we both fancied seeing Wonder Woman a second time.

  Finally, thank you to everybody who has read and loved After the Eclipse. I’m honoured to receive every message from readers who have connected with Cassie and Marion’s relationship, and here’s to hoping you find the same reflection and recognition in Harriet and Erin.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  FRAN DORRICOTT IS A bookseller and author. She studied creative writing at the University of East Anglia, and she received a distinction for her MA in Creative Writing from City University London. Her day job in a bookshop is secretly just a way for her to fuel her ridiculous book-buying addiction. She currently lives in Derbyshire with her family, two cats and three giant dogs (one of whom is larger than she is). The Final Child is her second novel. Fran tweets at @franwritesstuff.

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