I met my friend Sue’s husband for lunch today, my friend who died last year. They didn’t have any children and have no close family in the area and he is pretty much alone. He works abroad half the year as a tax exile, he is a captain of a merchant navy ship.
I’m afraid to say he is not too good at the moment and is waiting for a diagnosis from his doctor following blood tests which were taken a 
couple of days ago. Chris has lost the strength in his legs and is very unsteady on his feet, appearing drunk. His legs are also covered in sores. We wondered if it could be a tropical disease as he has recently returned from Lagos and Sri Lanka.
He asked me if I wanted anything of Sue’s to remember her by and I said some photographs. He told me he had given away all her valuable possessions, including a Rolex watch. I remember Sue telling me how Chris bought them both matching “his and hers” watches and she made him inscribe hers so he wouldn’t get much for it if he decided to sell it.
That was typical of Sue’s wicked sense of humour, though Chris says it was never inscribed, so it was another one of Sue’s fibs, I always found it hard to tell if she was spinning me a yarn, she was always so convincing and liked to tease people.
She would sit on the train and fill in The Times crossword and everyone thought she was amazingly clever – but they didn’t see the mish-mash of letters she wrote just to impress them.
Chris gave me one of three albums of wedding photographs he found at home and I shall treasure it. It was the first and only time I ever saw Sue in a dress, she was always such a tomboy and lived in trousers or jeans. But, on her wedding day, she looked stunning like every bride, she looked like a radiant English rose.
We miss you Sue, and I still have your number in my mobile phone address book, I can’t bring myself to delete it.
Ellee: My heart was deeply moved by this loving post. Please accept my sincere condolences over the loss of your dear friend. She sounds like a great gal!
My heart goes out to you today as you remember your wonderful friend. And I will pray that her husband’s test results will come back okay. That first year is SO hard for anyone losing a loved one, especially a spouse. (I know!) If he can persevere, he will be able to go on with his life, never forgetting but having sweet memories of their life together.
I am so sorry to hear this. I know how you feel about the mobile number I would be the same.
I sincerely hope your friend is well. I lost a friend 2 yrs ago and grief is a funny thing. I can’t stand to hear my friends song as I still get upset. Hope he gets better soon.
Very sad post Ellee. I hope your friend’s husband is not seriously ill. He sounds as if he is not having an easy time of adjusting anyway.
I remember you writing about her at the time, Ellee. My thoughts are with you and all who miss her.
[…] Farewell Chris By Ellee Little did I realise when I had lunch with Chris a month ago that it would be the last time I saw him. […]