30/365 Denny

Kitten heels, heavy foundation, push-up bras, and up-turned nose to sneer at the world. You told me who to date based upon their cars but I laughed and called you a snob. That got me shut out in the cold.

29/365 Loren

A rose amongst the wildflowers, with a soul and beauty belonging to fairytales. She believed in a perfect love, exacting her standards on all around. But with the princess’s virtue cosseted, the few frogs she kissed fooled and crushed her.

28/365 Mike

The American accent and Spanish words won my heart at the Ball. We waltzed through the night and into the morning, as we broke your ex’s heart. Shortly followed by yours a week later, when I changed my mind. Sorry.

27/365 Paul

The Yacht Club chameleon, you made a fool of me and deserved my temper. By the way, don’t kiss after eating cheese and onion crisps - not nice for the ladies, but then, maybe your men don’t mind?!

26/365 Lee

So untroubled by the hand life dealt. Too shy to kiss, but our hands sweated with the hours of holding. Tug of war tournaments, days on the beach listening to Status Quo, and 50cc motorbike dreams leave me smiling.

25/365 Gerard

I was seventeen, you were twenty-eight and I thought so sophisticated. Walks through the graveyard, and songs sung to guitar. Lack of honesty left me heartbroken, not just the name, but you had a girlfriend, why did you need another?

24/365 Rob

The slob. I shudder when I think you of touching me. Fear, not love, kept me captive. Love doesn’t leave bruises. Twisted, vicious bully. I thought there was supposed to be good in everyone, you proved the saying wrong.

23/365 Martin

Oh dear, I feel guilty. Nervous stuttering, no rhythm mixed with even less confidence. But the night was fun and I was drunk. It was just a kiss, or three; to me. A lesson learnt, which I haven’t forgotten.

22/365 Yan

My dog’s vet, didn’t recognise you in the nightclub. Quite the cook, and quite the octopus when you weren’t telling outrageous tales of bad behaviour. My excuses were weak and you countered every one, until I spoke plain.

21/365 Kevin

One date was enough and why I was there, I can’t recall. Thought yourself clever and quite the catch, I thought boring and arrogant, though the money no doubt attracted some. You ran over that rabbit on purpose, pig!

20/365 Jon

A false start, then a bet that made me rage. Still, you became my first love and a more gentle soul I couldn’t have wished for. Romance and flowers, a teenage dream with a man too good for me.

19/365 Mark

The friendly fireman, big and awkward but always smiling. You trod so softly I didn’t realise your intentions until you asked. It was surprise that turned me red and made me run. With time to think, I was sorry.

18/365 John

Way too smooth and charming with your accent and scars. Tube trains at Pimlico, and dinner at the Italian, I fell for the fun and won’t deny I enjoyed. Too much. You were one reason I gave up drinking.

17/365 Aunty Sheila

First husband nipped out for cigarettes, but never returned. Thirty years of raising your daughter alone didn’t stop you hoping to find love, and shocking the family by returning from holiday with husband two, made both of us smile.

16/365 George

Nosey neighbour! We met when I found you in my house. You’d brought beans, but shuffled off realising my horror. Learning to love your tales and gossip of the street, I discovered it wasn’t nosiness, but eager caring.

15/365 Great Aunt Win

We hated visiting you, where nothing could be touched and hushed tones controlled. Best behaviour and forced kisses lest we let mother down. You said we’d be sorry for our refused attendance, when you were dead. I’m not.

14/365 Aaron

You grew tomatoes, you smelt of them. The boys on the bus feigned respect, laughing after you got off. The rumours came quietly. I pieced it together, but never asked. Now I tend my tomatoes, thinking of you, attempting refuge.

13/365 L

We started at the same place, from the same mould. The difference was them. Evasively I warned, then more bold I told. But you demanded your own mistakes. And now the bed is made. Maybe one day he’ll change.

12/365 Susan

Giggles, dreams and videos in your room. Men, tears and drinking on the beach. We grew up and I envied you. You left. Married a Greek. Lived a dream. Till love was tragically razed. Now I feel guilty for mine.

11/365 Emma (better known as Phil, also known as Grandma)

Your moral superiority amused me. Your admiration of only men annoyed me. When you discovered your hairdresser was gay, you were horrified, but didn’t stop going. Things change, you changed, I proved you wrong and finally you loved me.

10/365 Marion

So many knocks, but always a smile dished with you world-weary wisdom. You once told me, do whatever allows me to sleep at night. I live by it. You went so suddenly, and your children have scattered and splintered.

9/365 Carl

Rottweilers and making music are your passions. I’ve still got your tape, hurry up and get famous! Late nights, and the Saturday Lonely Hearts Club, I won the bet, first married, most kids - assuming you haven’t beaten me!

8/365 Simon

They said you had problems, you did, but only because of them. We ran through the woods, ate blackberries, shared secrets and planned your escape. I wish we hadn’t moved. I lost your ring, but won’t ever forget.

7/365 C

Sex on legs I heard one man say. One of many. But love is rarely instant, and fickleness leaves hearts lonely. I hope you find what you’re searching for, just hope you aren’t too jaded to recognise it.

6/365 G

Short, plump, and gifted with confidence. Many found you irresistible! With me, you confided your nightmare past instead. You dreamt of being an actor, and your façade was dazzling. Did you mean your final performance? Or was death a shock?

5/365 Madame Copré

Your ghastly French classes where you made me cry, relieved only by tales of your Mother’s hand in the Resistance. You had to deliver the Germans’ eggs, but took great delight in pinning them first. I remember with unexpected fondness.

4/365 Sandra

Narrow nose you don’t like, though unnoticed within your delicate beauty. Patient kindness entwines dry humour, revealed with a wicked giggle. Seemingly fragile, cloaking courage of steel. Friend, you’re an angel sent to humble those such as me.

3/365 Andy

Leather jacket, long hair, cider and black whilst looking at comics books. Easy smile contrasting the heavy music. Only biker I ever dated, just the once, barbeque on the beach. Now you teach my son rugby, do you recognise me?

2/365 Kim

We shared a flat and lived it up in London. But she was work-shy and couldn’t afford her life, so her men paid, till they lost interest. I lost my temper, told her to go, she did, leaving the bills.

1/365 Molly

Molly was seventy-nine when we met, vivaciousness spliced with bitterness at finding herself in care. I took her jam, and listened to her life stories. Then she decided to marry an Italian. But the Lord took her ten days before.