Mummy's Favourite (38 page)

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My agent Judith Murdoch once said to me that it often took many years of trying before getting to where you wanted to be – I have to say she wasn't wrong; even though at the time I hoped she would be.

Judith has had the utmost patience over the years when I was producing little – and not even that often. She has been my mentor and friendly counsellor and has never put any pressure on me and for all of this, I am immensely grateful.

My appreciation too, to Caroline Ridding at Aria who has already proved to be welcoming and encouraging and seems willing to take a chance on me – I hope I meet your expectations.

After small successes with a couple of early novels it has taken many years in the wilderness trying to find a central character I loved. In the end experience always seems to be best. Charlie (and Hunter) are therefore based very loosely on people I worked with. Some of you may recognise them. I hope you will all love them. The Metropolitan Police Service is full of great characters, from all walks of life, the great majority of whom just want to do the best they can for the public and serve their communities, sometimes at great personal cost. I can honestly say I have loved the Job and the many colleagues I have had the pleasure to work with. My thanks to all of them for great memories past and present.

My gratitude also goes to all my friends, who have listened to my woes over the years and encouraged me to keep trying.

I would also like to say a huge thank you to my three gorgeous daughters, all of whom I am extremely proud and who have supported me unfailingly through a difficult few years. Every year they are displaying more and more of the family spirit.

Big thanks to my inspirational family, particularly to all my brothers and sisters for their continued belief and support and the way they have actively canvassed their friends to read my earlier efforts. I have to especially mention Dee Yates, my eldest sister who was the inspiration for me to start writing, having written several books herself. She, above all, has provided the encouragement, positivity and proof reading skills to keep me going. Thank you, Dee.

Last but by no means least, lots of thanks to my lovely partner for putting up with my ups and downs and who is always there to pour oil on troubled waters – and red wine in my glass.

Cheers and many thanks to you all.

With a Metropolitan Police career spanning 35 years Sarah has spent her adulthood surrounded by victims, criminals and police officers. She continues to work and lives in London with her partner and has three older daughters.

Aria is the new digital-first fiction imprint from Head of Zeus.

It's Aria's ambition to discover and publish tomorrow's superstars, targeting fiction addicts and readers keen to discover new and exciting authors.

Aria will publish a variety of genres under the commercial fiction umbrella such as women's fiction, crime, thrillers, historical fiction, saga and erotica.

So, whether you're a budding writer looking for a publisher or an avid reader looking for something to escape with – Aria will have something for you.

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Addictive Fiction

First published in the UK in 2016 by Aria, an imprint of Head of Zeus Ltd

Copyright © Sarah Flint, 2016

The moral right of Sarah Flint to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

This is a work of fiction. All characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.

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A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

Cover design:
stuartpolsondesign.com

ISBN (E) 9781786690692

Aria
Clerkenwell House
45-47 Clerkenwell Green
London EC1R 0HT

www.ariafiction.com