Basia Unleashed

Out of the horror (said in a Marlon Brando Apocalypsey way) that was working for DeathStar there came a light and I was lucky enough to have that light as a friend. My most potent memories of her are from London, for that’s where I decamped to after DeathStar, back to the world of tellyvision where my talents were appreciated and allowed to blossom, and are thus: gin, wine, vodka, a Spanish restaurant in Canary Wharf, Pimms in Greenwich, feeeling queasy on that really high footbridge over Royal Victoria Dock, Hamilton making medicinal peppermint teas, gin, wine, vodka, my big birthday bash in Hampstead (and the next morning when horribly hungover having to endure the arrival of a birthday card from my ex and his wife), gin, wine, vodka and shopping for shoes.

There is of course, much more to it than that but this is a time for celebration, for celebrating the fact that my beautiful friend is getting married to a lovely Anthony Head-alike, will complete her PhD and move to Cork for the start of another wonderful chapter in the life of a wonderful person.

Sometimes I still can’t believe my luck that I have friend like you. When I had nothing and you had even less, you still gave me what you had, no conditions attached. I owe you more than that, I owe you so much more. I wish I had been in the right hemisphere to have seen you doing a Riverdance with your knickers on your head; I wish I had been in the right hemisphere to have witnessed the return of the hangover-ridden nosferatu creature known as ‘the murderer’ (still at large in east London, I believe!), but most of all, I wish that I could be in the right hemisphere to see you on the happiest day of your life.

I miss your sense of calm, your gentle spirit, your razor sharp tongue and your unconditional love. Most of all, I miss you. This is for you, Bronagh, this is my gift to you on your wedding day.