Marcus & I first met when we both started infant school, we were four years old & became instant friends.
Whilst still in junior school Marcus had to go to hospital for an operation. The whole class had to write him a get well soon letter. Unbeknown to me he kept my letter all this time. For his 10th birthday Derek dropped us at the cinema to watch the new James Bond movie ......Our first ever night out !
Later on we both got Saturday jobs and worked just a few doors away from each other.We used to go to Uncle Sam’s on many occasions for a late night walk and a burger.
We passed our driving test in the same year and got our first cars. By now Uncle Sam’s was off the menu and Chicken Dansak was the new discovery - his favourite food bar none .
We went on our first holidays together as teenagers - Spain, Portugal and even Skiing in Bulgaria.
Soon after we bought a house together & even managed one or two parties ! (not really our style). His usual prank was to sneak in quietly from work, remove my favourite Michael Jackson LP from the turn table which I had on full volume & he'd replace it with his own favourite album....…...The commentary soundtrack of “Mill Reef “ winning the Derby.
We’ve shared our lives for such a long time. Never high rollers and not really up for a party he wanted his 50th birthday to pass quietly. What else could I do...... forty years on I took him to see the New James Bond movie... Bond had changed but we certainly hadn’t. Our friendship has never diminished.
In a little twist of fate even our wedding anniversaries are on the same day. During the week we would call each other every day, sometimes 2 or 3 times a day. Never a cross word between us, we have never fallen out with each other and never had a row. But in all this time there was always laughter, every time we saw each other, always laughter, in every phone call, laughter. He’s been the greatest of friends.
A family man through & through - his mum , dad & sister Marnie never far from his thoughts. Earlier last year Amanda had booked a surprise break away for just the four of them - Amanda, Marcus, Olivia & James. In all the years I have known Marcus I have never known him so Chuffed as he was that day. They had their break & had such a good time they booked another and another one after that.
I phoned him the day before they were due to go away again. He was so excited & so happy , his voice so joyful to be going away with his family at Christmas. The call ended as always in laughter & that was to be the last time that we spoke.

A lifetime shared, a lifetime treasured. A lifetime of laughter......I miss him.