More Than You Know (114 page)

I would also like to thank Jackie Hollows for so tirelessly and generously trawling her past as a very glamourous air hostess in the sixties,
and for wonderfully funny, intriguing, and colourful stories: the book would have been the poorer without her.

The fashion element in the book is crucial. I spent my own early professional life in fashion, but I still drew heavily on the recollections and stories of many of the leading stars in journalism: Felicity Green, Fleet Street legend herself, and my mentor indeed, opened up her wonderful memory store for me, especially relating to the Paris collections; Shirley Lowe, starry journalist, who inspired a whole strand of the story, by reliving her own fashion editor past; John Bates, one of the leading fashion designers of the day (I was lucky enough to own not just one, but two, of his dresses), and John Siggins, his director and partner; and Liz Smith, iconic fashion editor and also, like my heroine, fashion consultant to a famous advertising agency.

David Smith, husband to Liz, a dear friend and a star of both journalism and advertising, provided wonderful anecdotes about both those worlds, and also some brilliantly funny recollections of his own National Service days. Very sadly he died just as this book went to press; his stylish, slightly old-fashioned sense of humour and turn of phrase were truly life-enhancing for everyone lucky enough to know him.

Edward Harris provided further legal background—and some particularly brilliant ingenuity over the creation and workings of the Summercourt Trust—and I would like to thank Ros Harris too, who provided a most valuable overview, steeped as she is in such matters. Sue Stapely was a fount of knowledge on all manner of things and as always provided me with pathways to all kinds of helpful people; the wedding in the book would not have been the same without the sparkly musical input of John Young of Country Church Wedding Music. Steve Gunnis provided a marvelously expert overview of the cars of the decade, and Lisa Lindsay Gale was a wonderful and witty consultant on gymkhanas and pony etiquette generally.

And I am truly indebted to Nicholas Coleridge for generously giving me the run of the
Tatler
archives. Two dizzy afternoons indeed!

At Headline I have been particularly well cared for by Jane Morpeth and Leah Woodburn, my amazingly supportive editors, who between them have worked an incredible magic with an even-later-than-usual manuscript, remaining calm, patient, and appreciative against every odd. It meant so much to me. Jo Liddiard has not only put together the
usual gorgeous marketing campaign; she was kind enough to sit with me through a long morning in my study and guide me through the technological intricacies (as I saw them!) of returning to my neglected blog. Louise Page has returned to handling my publicity, with all the imaginative determination I remember so fondly; and the sales team, under Aslan Byrne, have been quite simply magnificent. And a special thanks to Emily Mahon for designing the most gorgeous cover I have seen in a very long time.

Clare Alexander, agent extraordinaire, has not only provided comfort and cheer and extremely good advice whenever required, she also makes me laugh a lot, and plies me with food, drink, and gossip. Who could ask for more?

Finally, I would like once again to thank my family; the sons-in-law as well as the daughters have been completely wonderful. And to welcome two new members—Grace and Niamh—to the ever-growing clan.

In retrospect, as always, it looks like just the best fun.

Also by Penny Vincenzi

The Best of Times

An Absolute Scandal

Sheer Abandon

No Angel

Something Dangerous

Into Temptation

A
BOUT THE
A
UTHOR

Penny Vincenzi is the international bestselling author of fourteen novels, including
Sheer Abandon, An Absolute Scandal
, and
The Best of Times
. Before becoming a full-time novelist, she worked as a journalist for
Vogue
,
Tatler
, and
Cosmopolitan
, among other publications. She was also the first fashion editor at
Nova
, a seminal women’s magazine of the 1960s, known as Britain’s “style bible.” Penny has four daughters and divides her time between London and South Wales.