Aunty Gladys and my mum, Audrey, were cousins and dear friends all their life.  They were both born in South London within about 18 months of each other.  Neither of them had siblings so they became like sisters and played together as children.  When they became teenagers, they developed a great love of the Big Band Sound and loved to follow various bands, including one or two very well known bands, around the South London circuit. They were on first name terms with many of the band members.  They could both ballroom dance, and if they couldn't find a fella to dance with, they partnered each other.

When Audrey got married, Gladys was her chief bridesmaid and when I was born, although Gladys was technically my second cousin, she was always known as 'Aunty Glady' to me.

As the years went by, their lives took them in different directions, but they always remained in touch, seeing each other whenever they could and never forgetting each other's birthdays or Christmas.

The last time I saw Aunty Gladys was at my mum's 90th birthday party, where they sat side by side, laughing and chatting as if no time at all had passed.

I'd like to think that Aunty Gladys is now back with her mum and dad, my mum and all those she loved, who have gone before.

I can almost hear the sound of Glenn Miller's 'In The Mood'........and who are those two young girls I see over there, over that rainbow......it couldn't be......could it?