When I sit at my desk, typing away, a residue song track on loopmode at the back of my mind. I think of Peggy Perry. Peggy was the sort of Major Domo secretary that has become extinct unfortunately in this new, open plan, modern office, computer driven age.

She was a large lady, rotund and stately, not fat and unkept as the description might suggest. Her hair was always faultlessly permed and coiffured into a style which might be not be considered to a lesser person. It did not matter about the weather, her hair was so heavily laquered no earthly forces had an effect on it (I should remember this next time the tent has a leak – what has happened to hair laquer?). She had bright red finger nails, and co-ordinating lipstick, with a stenographers pad and pencil always to hand.

She ruled the office with one look, and even though we fought frequently when I started at the Accountants, within a few months we became very good friends. I looked up to her and respected her, and one day she confessed that she respected me for having stood up to her.

It is May the time of the year which would have been my Mother's birthday – she would have been 79 on the 11th May. Peggy also had a birthday in the same month. She thought was ageless. I suspect she was old even when she was young. I know she had a husband and a son in the Navy, who she was proud of and spoke of with hushed reverence about. Peggy offered stability and security in my world totally devoid of strong female images. I thought the world of her, dare I say loved her, and miss her terribly to this very day.

As I am sat here typing this morning, making my way through the pile of post carried on the tide of the bank holiday to my desk. I realise how much she taught me, influenced me, and was a part of who I am today. A memory like this is priceless and offers comfort to carry me through the day.

I truly hope she would be proud of me if she knew me today – that matters to me. I think today she might….