(prompt: 'gap' May 14, 2021)

"Mrs. Rose? Can Judy come to my place to see if I can come play at her house until half-past five?" The mother, who was quite old in the eyes of the four earnest little eyes staring pleadingly at her, tried to hide a broad smile. She was, in fact, what they would call in those faraway days, a 'young matron'... meaning a young, but mature woman who now enjoyed the role of motherhood. More unusual for her day was that she also worked as a shop assistant in the local haberdashery and women's fashion store of a small, near-city suburb. She knew this routine of we two cherubs standing before her, and although approving our friendship, it seemed she could never resist stretching the hopeful expectation for a few minutes longer with a little uhmm-ing and ahh-ing, knowing only too well, how quickly she'd see the bottoms of our soles as we dashed away at top speed, once the famous 'Yes' was given. And, of course, hearing the usual, "Dad will give us a slice of fritz and Mum will have milk and biscuits for us, to keep us going until teatime," flung over my shoulder as we ran off.

A breathless race to Dad's butcher shop, a couple of streets away—stopping only long enough for a hug and kiss and that thick slice of fritz ('and one for Judy, please Dad?')—and up the stairs, through Dad's office door and the next one into our house, and sure enough, there would be Mum, and no problem at all to set out more milk and biscuits for both of us. My Mum, too, thoroughly approved our friendship. After all, who could resist the little friend with the blondest hair and bluest eyes any of us had ever seen? Although I had seen blue-er eyes, just once. It was on an occasion when Judy's (maternal, I think) grandfather had visited through the week one time and his white hair above tanned and much lined face framed eyes the colour of the sky. They had the look of having seen more far horizons than any of us could dream about. Indeed, they surely would have. Memory tells me he was an old sailor, from ships of an era SO long gone now, when eyes sought land longingly, after incredibly long times at sea.

We had an understanding, Judy and I; she was my second best and oldest friend in the world... because I only met her when we were both the vast age of six, whereas my Ted Bear Esq. and I met when he was new and I was two. We shared much, all of us — including Judy being our bridesmaid, nearly 56 years ago! The love of animals and rescuing them we two shared was monumental, although we both went about this in different ways. Judy was the RSPCA officer rising to high rank, and me, the farmer, doing my bit for my small corner of the world. We understood each other's motives and modus operandi very well indeed.

Yesterday I received the sad news she died some hours earlier. Between my tears, I smile. I know exactly where she is, and will be for some time. It's over the Rainbow Bridge, enjoying the most riotous welcome a mob scene could put on for her.

I'll be there one day, also, and I think she may pop back for hugs again... and then that special gap in my heart will close.