To the outside world he is the image of success itself: a universally celebrated author, his books bestsellers many times over, a happy man who has everything…

To his true friends, those who have known him for many years, he’s the mysterious adult who emerged from that troubled childhood he shared with them.

To his jealous competitors he’s that lucky fellow with the irresistible sense of humour, a feared duellist.

To her, his true love, who has shared his life through misery and triumph, he’s the small boy who cannot grow up…

To himself, who knows the truth, he’s the one who owes her everything: she’s made him who he is, from the ground up.