As I hit publish and sent my first book out into the world two months ago, never did I think a couple of weeks later we would all be in lockdown, and domestic abuse would be at an all time high.

I realised early into quarantine that being stuck indoors with family members would be hell for some. Whilst many of us have joked about the nightmare that is staying put with family; for some the nightmare is real.

"Never has it been more apparent that domestic abuse is a huge issue for so many in today’s society; one that is tucked away behind front doors and false smiles, silent, and deadly."

If nothing else, we should all try to be more aware, more in tune with the lives of the ones we love, our sisters, brothers, aunts, cousins, even our neighbours. If something doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t. Ask them, offer them support, give them a safe space. Let them know you know, and be there for them when they need you.

We need to do better. We need to be more in tune with how abusers work, manipulate and keep their victims silent. We need to be able to spot it, and deal with it in a safe way. We owe it to those that are suffering.

This book may help you to gain a little insight into how these people work, and if it enables you to identify that a friend or loved one may be experiencing some kind of domestic abuse, then my job here is done.

So, right now, turn to the people you know and love, and ask them, are you OK? You never know, you might save their life.