Elspeth and I were at secondary school together and, even with a gap of a few years after leaving, we fell comfortably back into our close friendship as though no time had passed. After we’d both got married and had children we met up regularly – often competing as to whose turn it was to travel up and down the dreaded North Circular! But we always had fun, walking our dogs together on Hampstead Heath and in Richmond Park and watching the children grow up. Happy get-togethers with friends at a school reunion, at my daughters’ Katie and Clare’s weddings, and at my 60th in Cornwall. When John was born I was honoured to be asked to be his godmother and my husband, and Katie, then aged 5, and I drove across Europe to Samos for John’s christening. This involved my carrying John as well as holding an enormous candle while he wailed and squirmed throughout the service - and I wasn’t allowed to hand him over to his mother! Rather a large quantity of Ouzo was consumed by me afterwards! Then followed a wonderful holiday on the island before driving home. A trip that was a very special memory for us all. Elspeth was a strong and independent woman, and her wonderfully calm and gentle nature always shone through as did her love for her family. I know that she enjoyed her mentoring work at the school, as well as supporting people through their bereavements for Cruse Bereavement Care and at the Hospice. I will miss her so much; our regular meetings at IKEA in recent years (only half way up the N Circular for each of us!), and especially our long phone conversations which sadly diminished when her cruel illness took hold. Elspeth touched so many lives and as one of my friends who knew her has said: ‘She has got to have been one of the most delightful women that I have ever met – so gentle and caring’. Mel Le Vesconte