"Here they come again."

The rattle of trolleys preceded the nursing sisters who came to administer four-hourly medications. They seemed to like the old man, called him Frank as though they had known him all of his life.

Some people fade from memory as time passes, some remain, popping up at Christmas when cards are exchanged and the phone runs hot. Others, like parents, remain forever a part of us floating in and out of every day; approving, disapproving, supporting, sobbing; their influence colouring each day.