People often ask me about the titles of my books. The title for FACELESS came to me while I was researching. I was interviewing a woman who I have known for a good few years. She has been a prostitute for most of her life and has always kept me up to date on the pavement jargon and anecdotes of her working life. The two of us were talking over a bottle of wine when she said something I shall never forget.

She had been, in her day a well-paid brass as she put it herself. Now she was older and was on the slippery slope that age invariably brings to women who sell themselves for profit. Laughing, she said ‘We are faceless women, Tina, living faceless lives. Our punters are faceless. If I took a bloke on and he came back ten minutes later I wouldn’t even recognise him.’ Well, she gave me the title of this book.

Since then her phone has been cut off and I can’t track her down. I heard she died of AIDS. I hope she is happy wherever she is, she was a good laugh and a good mate. If you read this, give me a call to let me know you are OK.

This one’s for you and for all the laughs we’ve had over the years.