It all looked the same, yet everything had changed. The house looked as it always had, white and two story with a simple front garden. Heart racing, Anna let out a long, slow breath. Now, with the engine cut off, the silence somehow became even more oppressive. The car had been eerily silent the entire drive from the airport. She kept her eyes off her father, scared to look at the expression on his face as he pulled into the driveway. Swallowing heavily, Anna looked back to the front and clenched her fingers together in her lap. The last fourteen hours had been a kind of hell, and both of them were exhausted. The normally poised and put-together lawyer slept with her mouth hung open, and there was a slight sign of drool. In spite of herself, a smile tugged at her lips: Hayley lay sprawled over in the back, seat belt digging into her neck. Her neck ached from sitting so stiffly, and she turned awkwardly in the passenger seat. The car turned down a quiet street and Anna blinked rapidly as she realised it was her parents’ already. You believed in this story when I didn’t, and I think you’ve ruined me for every other publisher ever. This would not be the shiny work it is if not for you. Thank you for the advice, the ideas, the support. Lastly, and certainly not least, to Astrid (and Daniela, for pushing her to email me repeatedly): Thank you for not giving up on me. Ten years on, and you did the same here-thank you. You proofread my teenaged ramblings and helped turn them into something acceptable. Melissa, if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have learnt to write an essay, let alone a book. I’ll try anyway: thanks-one hundred percent! I have no words for how much you taught me with your editing you’re all amazing at your jobs, and I can’t thank you enough. I hope we get to work together again-and again and again!Ī massive thanks to the editing team at Ylva, especially Michelle, who edited this into the streamlined, professional piece it is now. I hounded you with questions, and you always replied with honesty.

Your suggestions and comments had me laughing, smiling, and nodding at your wisdom. To Erin, who had to deal with being my first-ever beta reader. You were the first I told and the first to be stuck as my test reader-you’ve always been one of my biggest cheerleaders, yet I can always rely on you to yank my feet back down to the ground when I need it-thanks for being there to do the same again. Forever you’ve told me I can be anything I ever wanted to be

Who'd Have Thought by G. Benson