While I was living in Norfolk back while my birth parents were still together I was Ivy's neighbour. I only found out she passed away six months ago due to complete happenstance. As bitter as I feel for her family not informing me of her passing I thought I would share my story as a tribute.

After moving into 14 School Lane Ivy became a close friend and eventually honorary Aunt to us. As my mother's mental health deteriorated Ivy was able to help my father confront the idea of becoming a single father and helped him find solace in Jesus. Visits to her house became exciting regular events for me and my then brother. I barely knew her at the time, but she was this sweet old lady who always welcomed our company.

As I grew up and my father remarried Ivy continued to be a regular presence in my life, she regularly visited my new home in Worksop to spend the night in my room while I was send to sleep with my former brother for the duration of her stay. While Callum wasn't too please to share his room with me we both set aside our differences because we knew how much Ivy meant to us. I can still remember returning to my room after she left to the incredible scent of her perfume and slept soundly knowing she would come again and relive me of all my stresses. My new Mum was quick to embrace Ivy too, endearing calling her Eevee.

However following the lockdown Ivy was advised to stay in her home. I lost contact with her altogether. Admittedly I had just moved out of my parents house and never bothered to ask for her address or her phone number. But I never stopped wondering where she was, how she was. There was so much I wanted to tell her. I wanted to let her how happy I was. I wanted to play her my violin, show her all the video games I've designed, tell her about all the friends I've made.

Oh well. Too little, too late.

Rest in peace Ivy. I'm sorry.