My friend in London.
Greta Grinfeld - 19 Sep 05
I met Charlotte in June 2002, when Stuart and I went out for dinner at
Cottons, in Camden with Martin and her. She was about 7 months
pregnant with Solly. Stuart had spoken to me a lot about M & Char,
and I really wanted them to like me. I was very quiet and shy.
Charlotte was beautiful and stylish. She was so relaxed and cool and
fun. She kept on asking me the right things, despite my yes/no/sorry?
dull answers, until she mentioned something about museums. Then I knew
we shared this love of museums and felt so good about it, and we talked
a lot. She knew how to make someone feel comfortable and good.
In November 2003 Stuart and I got married in Buenos Aires. Martin and
Charlotte where the first friends, probably the first people (apart
from Stuart’s mum) to say they were coming to the wedding. We felt so
happy about it. Solly was just over 1 year old and it was a long way to
take a little one but there was never any doubt they would come. Char
stayed at the party and danced all night until 5 o’clock in the
morning, but said she was sorry for leaving early. She managed to do
everything, go everywhere and enjoy every minute of it.
Right after the wedding, we went to the Iguazu Falls, on the border
between Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay, for a two-day “honeymoon” with
lots of family and friends. Stu was sick and stayed in bed all the
time. In the evening, Martin and Solly went to bed early, and Charlotte
and I went for a drink. It was a very warm late spring evening in the
forest, and we had a wonderful chat over a couple of cocktails about
married life and family, and about mothers and sisters. It was suddenly
very late. I went back to the bedroom and Stu was in such a mood
because I’d left him on his own on the second night of our honeymoon.
I’m pleased I spent that evening with Char.
Char had a very rare and special ability. She could truly understand
people. She was one of the very few that always understood what I said,
despite my thick accent and the funny words I sometimes use. And if she
didn’t (I’m sure she did), she always made me feel understood. I guess
that’s why she could truly appreciate who each person was, not letting
anything else interfere, not being judgemental. I believe that’s why
she was such an extraordinary person and my favourite friend in London.
Everyone felt happy and safe when she was around and that’s why, as
Martin said, she had the ability to touch your heart from the first
instant you met her.