Some people read this book in its early stages, in the midst of a global pandemic. I will never forget that, and I shall be ever grateful. To Seán Hewitt, Wendy Erskine, Dan Richards, Darran Anderson, Jill Crawford, Robert Macfarlane, Kathleen Jamie, Amy Liptrot, Max Porter and Sinéad Gleeson, with deepest gratitude. I will hold the words you gave me close to me always. To walk behind you all, on the path you carved out, moves me beyond words.