When I started writing Jez's story, I wasn't at all sure about involving Tracey. It's not that she was boring exactly, although for ages the only thing I heard her say to other members at the club was "hi people" and "spooky!" and "bye people". It's just that her relationship with Jez finished before the end of the story and she was unsure about having it documented in any way. Besides, she was really unhappy with the way I portrayed her and threatened to destroy my manuscript. "You make me sound so dumb! So spooky!" she complained.

Tracey and her best friend, Shazia, both had "furbies", strange toys that used sophisticated electronics to simulate living creatures. There was an occasion when the two of them were sitting outside the clubhouse with these toys and Tracey's "furby" sneezed (apparently it was programmed to do that when it was not 'fed'). Tracey put her hand to the furby's beak. Shazia laughed, but I'm sure she failed to notice that Tracey then subconsciously wiped her hand on the side of the chair. Well, I noticed it, and I felt I just had to include curious little incidents like that in the story.

Worried that the publicity might affect her relationship with her new boyfriend, Tracey spoke to me at length about the invasion of her privacy and, despite my suggestion that I change her name, she would have none of it.

"What if people recognise me when I'm out buying a newspaper or underwear or something?" she asked.

I told her there were would be no photos, but she persisted, "What if they make a film of it?". Again I reassured her, "They'd have an actress - why would anyone think it was you?"

"But I was a member of Upper Gummtrey Tennis Club and I was going out with Jez! Even if you change my name and everything, everyone round here at least will know it's me! And it's so - spooky!"

I wanted her co-operation and I was getting a bit exasperated by now, but Tracey's friend, Shazia, came to my rescue with a suggestion. "You could really have some fun with it, Trace," she said. "You could say to people - 'You're not the first person to ask if I'm the Tracey in the story. Well thanks very much! She's much older than me! Do I really look that dumb? How dare you!' - and just imagine their faces!"

"Yeah," said Tracey, with a twinkle in her eye. "That'd be cool! I could keep people guessing for ever! Spooky!"

Over the course of time, Shazia's playful remark germinated somewhere deep in Tracey's soul and as her psyche expanded to accommodate a different identity, she became a deeper (albeit more confusing) person. I think it has been an enriching experience for her, but I suppose I would say that! It's proved to be difficult in one respect though - I sometimes wonder if I have represented her accurately. Thinking back, though, there were occasions when Tracey's "deeper" side unexpectedly surfaced, even in the early days.