Okay, enough with the blowing of one’s own trumpet.  Time to bring on the friends and family.  

Sum up your time with Kathleen in 25 words or less.  (Or more if you can’t count): 

THE SIBLING: RUPERT BAIRD-MURRAY
“Do I really have to do this?  Can’t I just pay you 25 quid instead?” 

THE SCHOOL FRIEND: ZOYA TAYLOR  (NEE VAUX) 
“She was a great Prince Chulalongkorn in “The King and I”

She was games captain (!) and deputy head girl

She wanted to be an Ambassador when she grew up. (Presumably because of all the
Ferrero Rocher chocolates?)

Don’t think she’s ever mastered a cartwheel

She was loyal enough to spend the night in a horsebox with me (and horse) during a winter horse trials event

She’s really good at singing with a hairbrush microphone”

THE BRIGHTON YEARS: TONY MASON
“Kathleen had one or two problems.  The first was that she could not take alcohol and would embarrass me at parties by putting on Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s RELAX! and then shouting out across the room:  “This one’s for Tony!”.   The other was that she did not know how beautiful she was and all those men were not just being nice.  You could not help but love her.”

THE UNIVERSITY FRIEND: MATTHEW STILLMAN
“For her friends, Kathleen’s presence at university had three acts. The apocalyptic arrival, the bewilderingly charming presence and the mystically enigmatic elusiveness. Our loss had been a fortunate boyfriends gain. Gone but never replaced.”

THE YEAR IN AUSTRALIA: PAUL MCNEIL
“The year in Australia was spent wisely on Bondi beach (17 steps from door to sand). What was it you were there for again?”

BEST GIRL FRIEND: JENNIFER HOCHMAN HAM
 “She’s able to capture a woman’s thought process in words which are insightful, eloquent and humorous.  She’s a star.” 

THE SON: ARMAND, aged
“Mummy tells me off sometimes. Now I’m going to think of a nice thing.  (long pause)  Well…she is nice. I’m glad she has written this book. I haven’t read it yet. 

THE DAUGHTER: EMMANUELLE  aged 7
“Most of the time Kathleen goes on her computer.  My favourite thing is when we have a cuddle.  I like it when she takes us swimming. 

THE HUSBAND: OLLY DANIAUD
“She is petite and sweet and her upper lip curls up when she smiles.   She doesn’t use a saucer for her toast or her tea, however, she makes all around her happy so that’s good enough for me.”