Lucy, just a quick note to say that I adore this piece and your writing. I struggle with this kind of thing all of the time, but there's a real pride in Pete's voice, so I think you've made the right call. I linked to your substack in my own newsletter the other day - been super inspired by your 1,000 tulips and other garden endeavours. Joe
I’ve mostly lived in villages. We look after our own and that includes new neighbours! But don’t get me started on the incomers who complain about the church bells at 9am on a Sunday morning, and practice night, 7.30 - 9pm once a week…
I’ve not got much “real” work done today as I’ve been on the phone for much of it, frustratingly, and in my haste to clear some emails I nearly pressed delete. But I didn’t. And I’m so happy I paused to read this post, actually twice. I wish there were many more Pete’s knocking around, I’m so glad you’ve found such lovely neighbourly neighbours, and even though the sun is shining and we’re enjoying a mini heat wave at the moment, I bet you’ll be glad of the fuel in a few months. Thanks for such a lovely post 🙏
My short experience of family law as an articled clerk back in the late seventies is still something I look back on with very mixed feelings. It rendered me un-shockable at human depravity and it broke my heart. Women the same age as my mother would come in wearing their best coats and tell me intimate details of their lives. As a young woman from a sheltered background that was hard to handle. But - she who saves a life saves the world. There will be many Petes in the cases that you dealt with whose lives are now immeasurably changed for the better because of what you did. Hearing Pete's story is payback for that.
Lucy, just a quick note to say that I adore this piece and your writing. I struggle with this kind of thing all of the time, but there's a real pride in Pete's voice, so I think you've made the right call. I linked to your substack in my own newsletter the other day - been super inspired by your 1,000 tulips and other garden endeavours. Joe
That is so, so kind, Joe, and means a lot. Thank you so much. X
I’m glad you wrote it. Beautiful. 😍
I’ve mostly lived in villages. We look after our own and that includes new neighbours! But don’t get me started on the incomers who complain about the church bells at 9am on a Sunday morning, and practice night, 7.30 - 9pm once a week…
Just lovely. I look forward to receiving your writings very much. X
Saint Peter among us.
I’ve not got much “real” work done today as I’ve been on the phone for much of it, frustratingly, and in my haste to clear some emails I nearly pressed delete. But I didn’t. And I’m so happy I paused to read this post, actually twice. I wish there were many more Pete’s knocking around, I’m so glad you’ve found such lovely neighbourly neighbours, and even though the sun is shining and we’re enjoying a mini heat wave at the moment, I bet you’ll be glad of the fuel in a few months. Thanks for such a lovely post 🙏
My short experience of family law as an articled clerk back in the late seventies is still something I look back on with very mixed feelings. It rendered me un-shockable at human depravity and it broke my heart. Women the same age as my mother would come in wearing their best coats and tell me intimate details of their lives. As a young woman from a sheltered background that was hard to handle. But - she who saves a life saves the world. There will be many Petes in the cases that you dealt with whose lives are now immeasurably changed for the better because of what you did. Hearing Pete's story is payback for that.
Lovely piece.