Waiting for Arabella

are the words written on the back of the cover picture.

A painting of my fully pregnant, rather peaky looking mother in 1968, 

South Africa.

It was painted by an amazing activist and model Gill, a close friend of the family.

Gill was unable to have children of her own, so my parents decided they would have me for her.

I am not sure if they really intended to give me away, but they told me they knew the exact night I was conceived and who they were expecting.

They were waiting for me, Arabella.