I'm taking some annual leave from midday tomorrow. I dread the morning, and Boss suddenly realising that I won't be about for over a week. My holiday has been in the diary for weeks now, but I know he won't notice until I finally have to say, "But I won't be here tomorrow/next Tuesday/ or whatever day he starts to make plans for that inevitably include me.

BBHM and I are attending Bob's funeral on Friday. We visited him in the hospice at Cheltenham last Saturday week, and he died before we had even got home again. I was so taken aback when I saw him, even though I knew he wouldn't look well. Bob had always looked so immaculate, always in cashmere or linen, and it was shocking to see him lying motionless under the hospice sheets, his top denture missing, and his skin so grey. BBHM spoke to him, and kissed him. I said, "Goodbye Bob", and left the room. I just knew that he would never have wanted me to see him like that. I stood in the hospice corridor, and remembered all the laughter we had shared, and hoped that he was peaceful.

On Sunday, it is my niece's wedding in Brighton. One of those rare occasions when all my family will be in one place, and to be looked forward to.

And then, next week, BBHM is staying with me, and we will cook, and walk, and paint the front door, and do some gardening.

I hope Bob is in a good place now, and that we will laugh with him again one day.