Where It Began(82)

Finally, this is a work of fiction. It is not a roman à clef. My kids are not in it, nor are their friends, or their acquaintances, or my friends or acquaintances, and the most striking thing I have in common with any of the characters (apart from my geography and the tiny fact that I spent a couple of years channeling Gabby Gardiner) is my affinity for Ponytail’s Italian shoes. Winston School does not exist, and anyone who has ever set foot at my kid’s high school can tell you that that isn’t it. I do wish Madeleine Hewlett existed, though, because I like her and I kind of want the one-eyed rescue cat.

Leading me to my dog, Evan, who ate part of one of the drafts, but who sat with me during the entire writing process.