Jude and I shared a house for 2 years when we met as newly-qualified teachers at Droylsden High School in Manchester. We worked together, we travelled together, we socialised together, we cooked together, we even holidayed together and in all that time I honestly can't remember a cross word between us. Not that we didn't drive each other mad with our obsessive ways - me with my constant dusting of the TV cabinet top, Jude with her constant trips to John Lewis (no internet shopping in those days), and always trying to out-diet each other! How many evenings did we spend with Sam, Kira, Seema and others and then, after returning from Jabez Clegg or the Boardwalk, we would sit in the back yard and gossip about the evening's events over a final drink and sneaky cigarette.
Jude and I were living together when she met Steve. We suddenly had to start going swimming every Sunday evening because he was going to be there. And when Jude felt Steve wasn't being pro-active enough in getting the relationship going, she made me drive her round to his flat for her to deliver a note with her phone number on it. I didn't think it was a good idea, but in her inimitable style, Jude was determined. Fortunately Steve took the bait and the rest is history - how wrong was I!!
We shared a lot of wonderful times and I am more sad than I can say this week. But I have great memories that I treasure and will always be grateful for. Thanks Jude. Love you. RIP.