Betty Occleshaw

Grandma

She was one of the old school, literally, Victorian, dominating, a wonderful cook, could turn her hand to anything, mouth-watering pastry. She used to make a wonderful onion gruel whenever I had a cold. She had been in service in the house of the Marquis of Salisbury of the famous Cecil family.

She was kind at times but she would say to my mother when I was naughty "she'll be the death of you", which did not endear her to me.

Evelyn

I also had a cousin called Evelyn who was six years older.  She was held up as a paragon of virtue to me - I really resented this. Her sister was three years younger and totally opposite in temperament and behaviour. She was a PEST!  Never still, always on the move, always in trouble! I was an avid reader and always had my head in a book.

Daphne

My cousin Daphne would not leave me alone to read, much to my annoyance. Daphne once fell in the pond in York House Gardens at Twickenham. She was trying to reach the water lilies, but stretched too far, overbalanced and, of course, fell in.  I was accused of pushing her in the pond, if only that were true. I must admit I was tempted! Out she came, dripping wet.  Luckily it wasn't deep and she wasn't hurt. I had to give her my coat to cover her up to get home. We had to go by bus. I was blamed by every adult, especially Grandma.

Grandma's handbag

Grandma was always dressed in black and white. White collars and cuffs, spotlessly clean. Her handbag was a leather Gladstone bag and seemed to carry everything, a bit like Mary Poppins. It came in very useful at most unusual and opportune times.

Illustration by Heather Hookey