I have sooo many fond memories of Ijeoma, so much so that even in the midst of my grief and thoughts, I can't help but chuckle every now and again. This was years ago when Ijeoma's dear Mum was still alive. Mum was visiting in the UK and staying at Ijeoma's and Nwamaka's home in Borehamwood. A great cook, Mum had made a 'serious Okra soup' and had apportioned it equally amongst her UK children - Ijeoma, Nwamaka and Derek. Derek had already taken his, so had Ijeoma as it so happens. The last portion in the pot was for Nwamaka. I had dropped by one Saturday morning, just to hang out and casually enquired if there was any food - as you do. Nwamaka and Mum were out and Ijeoma offered to make me some toast with fried eggs which was fine actually until she said "unless you want Mumsie's okra soup", nevermind it was not 10am yet, that sounded much more appealing. "Actually, it's Nwamaka's soup o!" she continued, "so we'll take a bit out of it and smooth it over so no one would know'. Ijeoma knew she could find a willing accomplice in me and the game was on. That day, I learnt how to make super fast pounded yam in the microwave and we took much more than 'a bit' of soup. We had a feast giggling at the various scenarios that could occur to catch us out... it made the meal all the more delicious! Later as I washed the dishes to hide all evidence, Ijeoma produced a can of Air Freshner and sprayed all over saying with a cheeky smile on her face "now, no one will ever know". Ijeoma and I laughed about this incident lots of times since. Even after her Mum passed, we shared the story as we remembered her Mum, now I share the story to remember my beautiful, cheeky, generous, fun loving friend Ijeoma. Adieu sweet girl! Omara