It has been 4 years since Lance’s sad death, and I am still living in my seafront flat that overlooks Rottingdean beach. It is in an Art Deco building, designed by R.W.H. Jones (1900-1965) and was built in 1937.I have also kept my little cottage, which is locally listed.

Lance used to visit both my properties, and he told me that if he were to die suddenly that he wanted me to have his beloved dog Kit. I, and only I, could be his next owner, because I adored Kit, and Lance knew that I would provide him with the perfect life. And this I have attempted to do in the last four years with my darling boy, who enjoys the beach every day, and the joys of my 90′ cottage garden.

I am indebted daily to beloved Lance for this precious gift of Kit to me.

A perfect, sensationally glorious Golden retriever.

Kit truly is the love of my life, and the best companion ever. He is loved by everyone, as he is the kindest, most affable and affectionate animal, who brightens up everyone’s day with his jaunty walk, wagging tail and eagerness to ‘meet and greet’ everyone. He is a dog in a million. Pure therapy. He brings such joy to people – all and sundry, with special love for the lonely, the elderly and small children. He also loves girls!

He is also such a breath-takingly handsome dog that everyone wants to touch him, stroke him and take photographs of him. No walk is without someone shouting out;’What a beautiful dog!’.

He has almost zero interest in other dogs, incidentally!

Without Kit’s companionship the Covid lockdowns would’ve been unbearable. And he also loves my son and granddaughter dearly, and they love him.

I was the last person to talk to Lance on the night he died, and the Clark family kindly respected Lance’s dying wish for me to have his wonderful dog.

Buying this flat was a wild ‘jeu d’esprit’, but if I hadn’t I would never have met Lance or Kit.

Lance loved the views of the sea from my balcony,and I quoted these lines by Tennyson at his funeral.

‘You came, and looked, and loved the view

Long-known and loved by me.

Green Sussex fading into view

with one gray glimpse of sea’

Prologue from ‘General Hamley’ by Tennyson 1885.

I miss you, darling Lance, every single day.