To Ben, Susan and Agatha,

I hope you are all well and that the news of my demise wasn’t too much of a shock. I had originally planned to write a letter before this to inform you of my condition but at the time I couldn’t quite bare it.

I’m writing to you for a few different reasons...

Firstly, I would like to ask you to take care of my dearest Angela and our daughter, too. I’m writing a letter to her as well but I fear that she won’t read it and that she won’t know my last words for her, so I beg that you encourage her to do so.

I am also leaving a letter for our daughter, Frankie, but I have entrusted it to my brother to give to her when she grows up.

Of you all, I am only asking that you can support my family at this time as I have supported all of you in your times of need.

Secondly, I am formally inviting you to my funeral, my final farewell.

I won’t give you a date, I will leave that for my dearest to decide but I do ask that you wear bright colours: you know I dislike the gloom of funerals.

Whatever date is set, please don’t make too much fuss of it. It doesn’t need to be for the whole day, a simple service will do.

Lastly, please do take care of yourselves.

You all have been my friends for as long as I can remember and although the amount of time that is has been diminishing, I know we have been together for at least 35 years (when we went to nursery).

I love you all and I hope to see you all again one day but not any time soon. So you all better take care of yourselves so I won’t be forced to meet with you.

Thank you my friends for 35 joyous years, I wish we could have had more.

With love,

Penelope.