Pringles and Dip – Charlotte and I

I met Charlotte in the summer of ’96 in the grounds of Peterborough Cathedral, I’d just returned from travelling and had arranged to meet up with some old work colleagues on their lunch break. It’s fair to say I spotted the new girl amongst them straight away. To cut a short story even shorter, we went on a few dates which fizzled out, and as I recall we lost touch for a few months. Then out the blue, my boss informed us all that a new girl from the John Lewis display team would be starting on Monday. My face must have been a picture as I was immediately interrogated as to how I knew Charlotte.

It’s fair to say we had a good laugh working together, I remember Charlotte saying we could have fun with the gossips and rumours. Charlotte displaying a wonderful sense of fun and mischief, as well as an old head on young shoulders. Often Charlotte would take people under her wing willing them to succeed, “see Jeremy, you can do it when you can be bothered” she’d say with a hint of frustration at my laid back approach.
I would wind her up on such occasions with a suggestive remark, and she would laugh and say “what are you like?” We both enjoyed the healthy banter (Charlotte is good copy as they say). Charlotte certainly showed at times true 90’s girl power, demonstrating to me how when shaking hands with men she would extend her middle finger so it pressed against the inside of the other persons wrist, imposing a stronger presence.. other demonstrations of this included being on the end of a belting slap across the face (I deserved it).

Whilst working together we often went out into Stamford and Peterborough taking in live music (jazz bands), bowling and pubs. I was sad when she left to go to H&M, but had known Charlotte simply needed a change. It’s at this point we became even better friends. Both of us enjoyed the arts and took a few trips to London during this time (as Charlotte recalled I would make my “gourmet sandwiches” for the coach trip down). 
We walked everywhere, Charlotte often started to flag and complain how she couldn’t walk anymore, I remember us getting lost close to Waterloo Bridge in cardboard city and Charlotte remarking we needed to get out of there quick. Not one to panic we did navigate our way out having been followed! Charlotte commented that I’m a good person to know in a bad situation (I’ve always remembered this).

Also I remember being dragged to Camden so Charlotte could browse the jewellery and nic-nack stalls, and trying to get me on one occasion to spend all my cash on a sitar. I eventually settled for a tape of Indian fusion music which I found in the garage a few days ago. Having gone to London I asked Charlotte if she wanted to go to France not Paris as none of us could stretch to that back then, but Calais on the ferry.. I was thinking of a bit of a booze cruise. Charlotte always being up for new adventures and a change from the norm loved the idea, not that this was going to be the cultural delight that either of us were going to gain any worldly knowledge from… but boy, whether it was this fact or that during the Channel crossing, Charlotte lost her sea legs I don’t know…she wasn’t at her best, in a bit of a huff you could say. I tried to raise her spirits by offering her pickled eggs and pints of beer but… (ha).
 
I guess though out of all my memories with Charlotte my favourite times were when we’d ring each other up off the cuff, Charlotte simply saying “pringles and dip?” which meant a reflective time spent chatting and catching up over a film with Pringle crisps and dips …normally supplied by Charlotte. These were special times, Charlotte always had a calming influence on me and how lucky was I to have a friend back then in those wilder days who would listen (often with opened jaw and sometimes perplexed) and, like a sister, point out if possible a less choppier option. We exchanged wonderful messages this year and I will forever treasure our memories together, and like you noticed Charlotte, I have settled with an amazing wife in Catherine and our two young boys George and Harry…who knows one day they too maybe blessed with a friend, whom they can just “Be” and enjoy in total comfort their company.
 
Our door is always open to you Chris, Sebastian and Olivia should you need us…Pringles and dip at the ready.

Love to you all.
xxxxx