This lounge is where I spent some of the happiest years of my life. My late husband and I would spend hours just hanging out here. In winter he loved keeping the fire going all day and late into the night when we would read or write or just talk about life for hours. We also watched our favourite movies or had music appreciation evenings where we would play our favourite songs so loudly that the neighbours probably thought we were having a party. I loved that he would lie in front of the fire whilst Dr Gonzo (the bulldog) would sit in his chair. I always lay on the couch with the Chihuahuas, Nougat and Pepper. Some days we all even managed a nap together on the couch.

When NM, our daughter, was born we spent a lot of time in the lounge too. When he came home he would sit by the fire with her sleeping on his chest so that I could have a break.

It took me a long time to enjoy my lounge again but last night I made a fire and played music far too loud and NM and I danced around until late (by toddler standards). As all things are now bittersweet in my life this too was a difficult moment for me but I loved enjoying my home again with our daughter. No matter where life may take me in the future, this space will forever be one of my favourites.