It was six years ago this August that two angelic 10-year-old 
girls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman were brutally murdered in Soham, a village close to where I live.
They were killed by Ian Huntley, a trusted caretaker at Soham Village College, an excellent secondary school which my youngest son James attends. He is in Year 10. Both girls would have been Year 11.
The loving memory of the girls is still very evident, and I was reminded of this last Friday and Saturday when pupils from the school staged a cabaret evening with music and dance from West End shows. James, of course, was in his element.
The song that stole the show was No-One But You (Only the Good Die Young) from the Queen tribute musical We Will Rock You. It was recorded following the death of Freddie Mercury.
But at the weekend, it was sung by a beautiful young girl called Natalie who was Holly’s best friend. She sang it as a duet with backing from other Year 11s.
She sang it with tears in her eyes after telling the audience: "This is in memory of two girls who should have been with us this evening."
And she sang these words from the song which touched everybody’s heart: "One by one, only the good die young…."
The audience were on their feet applauding at the end, even grandparents who were wobbly on their feet, it was a very highly charged, emotional moment. I had tears in my eyes too.
I heard that Holly’s proud parents were there on the Friday evening. If so, I am sure they would have been very moved.
Natalie is mentioned in the opening chapter of Kevin Wells’ book Goodbye Dearest Holly. Back in August 2002, she had slept over at Holly’s house and spent the morning playing there. Jessica popped round to give Holly a present she bought her on holiday. Natalie went home mid morning. Later that day, Holly and Jessica died.
Kevin is an extraordinary man. He used to clean our windows and unlike other window cleaners who would be on their way after they had done their job and been paid, Kevin would stay and talk. Our children were the same ages – my eldest David was in the same year group as his son Oliver, and they later played in the same football team.
I remember how Kevin and I bought our first computers at the same time, and we would talk about this and our families. He was always so cheerful and genuinely interested in other people’s lives. I so admired his strength and courage during the biggest nightmare of his life.
R.I.P. dear Holly and Jessica.
Very very touching.
Music has such a great ability to reach the heart
Calum, how very true. Music isn’t only the food of love, it feeds the soul too…
What a terribly sad story, and very moving.
Very sad, I remember seeing this announced when I was out with friends.
Beautifully written, Ellee. It must have had a big impact on the area around where you are.
What an emotional moment for everyone Ellee. But it sounds as if there was some small happiness there too, for such a lovely tribute.
All that you write here – yes, Ellee.
But it also hits home that they would now be Year 11? My goodness time goes quickly.
I can’t believe that it’s six year since they died, Ellee. I can remember the whole terrible time so clearly.
Ellee
Thanks for your comment at my blog. My reply to a question you posed is so long that I’ve made it into a post. You can read it here.
There are certain events that will always stay in your mind, and this is one of them. I remember being on holiday in Austria when it happened, and we followed every news bulletin we could in the hotel.
Time does fly. Just like James I can hardly beleive they would have been in Year 11 now.
On a more personal note, as a musician, I have always found music to be my uplifter and my comforter. It is the great universal language that knows no borders.
Six years ?
A very poignant post, Ellee.
Heartbreaking, Ellee. Your tribute, however, was beautiful.
Yes, poignant indeed and I remember this tragic case well. I keep thinking about what James has said here.
What a wonderful tribute those young people made to their beloved friends, gone so long ago. What a tragic end to two sweet lives.