Although my parents lived next door but one to Elizabeth and Neil, they didn't actually meet each other until each family went on holiday, independently to Yugoslavia and Neil spotted my parents one day sitting near them on the beach. Turns out they were in a different hotel but at the same resort. After they returned to Townsend Close, they shared photos and stories and things grew from there. As children, my sister and I were in and out of the Lavenders as much as they were in and out of ours. It was great - we each had a daughter to play with, building camps in the trees opposite the houses and playing on our roller skates or keeping cool in buckets of water in the hot summer sun (the photos exist, they are not being posted!) Liz and Neil would take us to our weekly swimming lessons in Bletchley, along with our parents. I remember especially Liz's little Fiat and we would put our flourescent orange swimming bags (remember those!) in what would have been the engine bay on 'normal' cars. Liz would often have baking on the go - especially Melting Moments, which I made for the first time just a couple of weeks ago - before Liz died, but somehow I'd been thinking of her.

Although I hadn't seen much of Liz in recent years, we kept in touch via Christmas Cards. She was keen to meet the children, especially Ethan, who she was very gentle with and we sat in the garden which he loved.

I'll see you again in glory Liz!

With love, Rachel x