When I walk my dogs in the park, as I do most days, I look out for this lady who also walks her rather cross little dog there too. She always makes me laugh, is outspoken, and greets me with the warmest of hugs and a dirty, throaty laugh. When I moan about my husband/children/dogs/annoying relatives, she's always got something funny to add; some interesting observation to make. I gradually find out she used to be a teacher, is very smart and really understands people. She strikes me as very independent, someone who stands for no nonsense but is totally devoted to her large and loving family. I tell her stuff I wouldn't tell my best friend because she's so easy to talk to, so warm and non judgemental. Later, I realise that she reminds me of my Mum - a very similar character who had a very tough life. I wonder whether this lady's life hasn't always been as happy as it seems to be now. She tells me that she used to ride horses and that one day she'd like to go again, but has got a dodgy hip. We make a pact that one day we will. We talk about the seaside and she tells me how much she loves it and has a place there. I have lived most of my life on the coast and feel the same way. Then one day, a different lady shouts at me in the park. I assume it's because my dog has done something unspeakable, and wave back and shout "sorry". She keeps coming towards me and is still shouting. I think she must be really mad with me. When I meet her, I realise that I recognise her, but I don't know exactly where from. She asks me whether I remember a lady called Judy and her dog Punch who walk in the park. At first, I have no idea who she means, then eventually the penny drops. We all three walked together one day. She explains, very kindly, that Judy has died, about a month earlier. I am overwhelmed with sadness for this lovely lady, who's name I never knew. I cry all the way home and find it impossible to explain to my family why I'm so upset. It takes me ages to get around to writing this because I feel so sad that she went so suddenly, and the walks in the park will never again be the same. I know that she's got a lovely family who she adores and who will miss her so much, and that all of her warmth and good qualities and fun characteristics will have passed on to them. She was a very special person with a great sense of fun and we were all very lucky to have known her. Claire Billingham.