Eight years ago, when Hannah was a struggling single mum, Nick Steadman seemed like Mr Right and Prince Charming rolled into one. Kind, strong, reliable - and the perfect step-dad to Lottie - what did it matter if his taste in trousers was more M&S than D&G? OK, so their relationship's never been based on passion, but it has plenty of respect, friendship and trust. Trouble is, after eight years together they're beginning to realise that friendship isn't enough. The solution? An amicable divorce. Which would be just fine if it wasn't so hard to explain to nine-year-old Lottie. And if Hannah didn't find herself a teeny bit annoyed at Nick's ability to move on so quickly. Not that she isn't happy for him and his new lover. Of course she is. After all, they agreed they'd be mature, grown-up and rational about their separation. They may be divorced but they can still be friends. Can't they?
I think I decided that I wanted to be a writer at the age of five, while queueing in the freezing rain for the school outside loos. Perhaps it was all down to the romance of the location... But by the time I went home that night, I'd come to the conclusion that it wasn't a very realistic ambition, and I considered being a pixie instead.
Yet even when reality struck and I had to start earning money, the old dream died hard. And when I won 'Secretary of the Year' in 1987 and was asked to co-write a book about secretaries, it was the most wonderful thing that had ever happened to me (yes, even better than the Blue Peter competition badge I won when I was seven).
As time went on, I did everything I could to dig myself a foothold in the writing world, doing everything from writing jokes for greetings cards to articles about sewer-cleaning machines for 'Construction News'. I started translating French erotic novels, then began writing my own; and from there, I worked my way into more ... er ... mainstream fiction, first as Sue Dyson and then as Zoe Barnes. I still use the name Sue Dyson when I translate and when I sing professionally.
I'm married to Simon, and my dad, Jack, lives with us - along with five cats known locally as The Furry Horde. Please go out and buy a Zoe Barnes novel (or three) and ensure that they're a happy, well-fed Horde!
Zoe
xx
