Letters to Leonardo (25 page)

Dear Leonardo
,

We were both right
.

People can come from such different places and still be right
.

People don’t have to be the same – they don’t even have to know each other to think the same
.

And sometimes you come from people who are not like you at all. And sometimes you’re lucky enough to meet someone in your life who really knows you and is your friend in spite of who you are
.

I still believe that truth is more important than anything. But you have to know how to handle it
.

And when stuff happens, you can’t begin to dissect it and put your life back together until you find out the whole truth of it
.

This is it from me, Leo
.

I turned sixteen today and Dad bought me paints and a brand-new easel. No surprise letters – no word from Mum. Just Dad and me, going to the gallery for my birthday to look at a “People in Oils” exhibition. Can’t wait! But you know what, Leo, whenever I look at a portrait of a lady, I’ll still be comparing it to a da Vinci
.

Dad’s calling. It’s time to switch off, pull the plug – time to put away my laptop. Time to go
.

This is all I have left to say
.

Bye, Leo and thanks for everything
.

Matt

The Victorian Writers’ Centre for showing their faith in the earliest drafts of this book by awarding me a mentorship.

Sherryl Clark, teacher, mentor and friend who taught me how to “raise the stakes”, as well as many other things about writing.

My wonderful family and friends who have always believed in me and all my fellow writers who thought that
Letters to Leonardo
would make it.

Margaret Hamilton for her ongoing encouragement and support, and the dedicated team at Walker Books Australia for everything they have taught me. In particular, my editor, Sue Whiting, for her belief in
Letters to Leonardo
, her endless tact and patience, attention to detail and refusal to let me get away with anything that wasn’t as good as it should be.

For my boys Mike, Sam and Nicholas