[Sundae]

I'm sad to miss it.

Mum would be furious if I said I wasn't going to Glasgow! She says I was at his funeral and cremation and this means nothing. Of course it means something, but I do understand.

Grandad was always proud that I "travelled" in the UK. He went all the way to Australia, but never saw much of England, let alone the rest. He said I took after Nanny - his family suspected her of having gyspy blood.

No-one else in the family is going, but I would have if I hadn't had longstanding plans.

I didn't go to Nanny's, but I live here now and Grandad was a big part of my life.
Part of my daily routine until February and at least my weekly life after.

I'll raise a glass to him in Scotland.
He enjoyed the fact that I liked cocktails - and was very impressed that I took Mum to Harvey Nichols for them. He was a barman and cocktail specialist in London during and after the War. He started at the Grosvenor in Piccadilly and pretty much moved up from there.

He also liked the fact I was as interested in opera and musicals as Mum.
We talked about shows I'd seen and Mum would always make a special point of mentioning tickets I'd bought for her and Dad as presents through the years.
He was so happy that I got Mum & Dad tickets to Turandot as it isn't staged very often, and it was Nanny's favourite opera.
When we went to see Carmen at the Coliseum (where he worked as a stagehand) he told Mum, "You've got a good one there."

His absence is very noticeable coming up to Christmas.
I keep factoring him into my plans. What to buy him - oh, must remember to get Grandad a card. Am I taking his dinner round before or after we eat? Maybe we should do him a snack brunch - oh wait, he's at Hillside - will we all go together?

Oh wait.
No.