The faith and support of my friends.
Amna Khan – you know me almost better than anyone else, and your pep talks are second to none. Your encouragement is spiritual and deep and fortifying, and when I speak to you, I always feel renewed, well fed. We have been friends since we were fifteen years old, and you have seen me grow, seen me talk about this very moment. Thank you for never seeing my talk of my dreams as anything other than an assured prediction of the future. I am certain that going through this journey with you has made me a better, more positive person. I love you.
Folarin Akinmade, who proofread my first short story, ‘Netflix & Chill’， and has been the best brother a girl could ask for.
Sase Aimiuwu, my ride or die, whose humour literally carries me through and embraces me. You are sunlight.
My delightful Hannah Williams, who saw me crouching in front of my laptop secretly writing while working at [redacted]; Gena-Mour Barrett （the yacht girl, the yacht!）; Kechi Nwagou （your random texts of support lifted me up at times I needed it the most）; Asha Mohamed, the first reader of my novels EVER, you are my sister and I know you know how I feel, so let’s cut out the mushy crap; Oyinlola Agboola: sis, I am so grateful for the laughter you bring into my life; my fairy godmuva, Camilla Blackett, who literally let me run to her in LA when London was just too much （I needed the clarity in order to write, and I will be forever indebted to your generosity and love. You are truly an angel）; other members of my LA family: Tanya Fear （LOL. Love you, Zim queen） and Alanna Bennett （fellow romcom lover and hopeful romantic）; Obioma Ugoala, for messages of support when I needed it the most; Charlet Wilson, for a brilliant, generous heart and light that constantly inspires me. For the bants, the belief and the relief from the darkness of the world.
I am so grateful to Nikesh Shukla for his constant support over the years, from being a key voice in encouraging me to apply to the short competition that would catapult my career, to his unwavering belief in me. You’re the best and the industry is lucky to have you.
The elite PPE!! Emma, Bridge, Dani and Can. The laughter, the memes, the unconditional support of each other, has truly made me feel safe and secure in an industry I am still trying to find myself in. It is so comforting to know that, after a hard day I can come to you and be held. You are a group of truly extraordinary women and I am so blessed to know you.
My big sister, Daniellé Scott-Haughton. Don’t start crying on me when you read this. My pastor, my sis, my rock. Thank you for prayers, thank you for your belief, thank you for letting me cry to you on the phone during the hardest, toughest periods of my life. Through heartache and trials, you have been there steadfastly to hold me, as you have been there to celebrate my successes and joys. I hope you know that you are an angel, and so special, and I am so blessed that God brought you into my life.
Candice Carty-Williams! Literary baddie! Do you know what a flex it is to say that I can ring you up and just say, ‘Can, I’m losing my mind’， and for you to say, ‘It’s okay, babe. You’re allowed to, it’s normal.’ You have quite literally been there from the beginning. You started the literary competition that launched my career, and your penchant for bringing people in is incredible. Thank you for your grace, kindness, for being my sister and for being my friend.
If I mentioned all the friends who supported me, this part would be as long as the book, but I want you to know that every message, every comment, every boost has been so monumentally important to me. I cherish you all, and I feel so privileged to count you all as part of my life. I hope I can bless you as you have blessed me.
My （blood） sisters, Bomi Babalola and Demi Babalola. I love you. Let’s not be corny about it. It is what it is. Same genes and that. You both inspire me in so many ways. Bomi, you have the sweetest, softest heart that belies a strong core. Demi, you have a strong exterior that belies the softest soul. You are both extraordinary women and I am so proud to be your big sister.
My cousins, the Magbagbeolas, the Adedirans and our Abiona baby. I love you all and I am so grateful to count you as my extended siblings. Shout out to Ore and Ibukun. Gang gang.
My followers on Twitter, who have seen me grow over the years. You are some of the sweetest, kindest, funniest and most supportive people. Writing is often a solitary job, and I needed Twitter to let off some steam, have a laugh, talk shit. You all have allowed me that space to be myself, and you embraced me. You amplified my voice. You may not even know, but your messages of support and encouragement, the funny memes or references, have dried tears, have bolstered me through depression, have picked me up from a mire of self-pity. I am so grateful to have you on my team. Love you guys, truly.