ABSTRACT
Mary is my closest friend. We met at secondary school and were friends from the start; although our friendship deepened during our time in sixth form and cemented when we were in our twenties. Mary is seven weeks younger than me. I was maid of honour on her wedding day and I am her youngest son’s godmother; she is my son’s godmother and was maid of honour at both my weddings. At the time of the research, Mary lived alone as a result of her marriage breakdown, and her two adult sons were away at university. She is a primary school teacher, specialising in early years, in a school in Kensington.
