I just told her this magazine wanted to know more about our relationship for its relaunch issue, and asked her to describe it. “Combative,” she said, a little too promptly. Maybe, but it’s been a long old ceasefire, mostly. There are many things to celebrate about our shared life. Economic stability, eventually, after endless remortgages, downsizing, overdrafts. Four uniquely miraculous grandchildren. The fact we’re still both here – not nothing given we’re both cancer survivors with plenty of ill-health side quests. Like the noble pair in Larkin’s An Arundel Tomb, we too have suffered decades of soundless damage. And, sorry kids, what will survive of us too will be love, as any inheritance will probably be gobbled up by privatised care. Happy anniversary, baby!
