Aaron
I used to go out with an old friend of Ellie's. We went out for 9 years from our mid teens to late 20's and in those years Ellie was an accepted part of our relationship.
I lived in a flat in Greenwich just opposite where Ellie's family home was. The 3 of knocked about together, going to pubs that would have us, underage drinking and smoking fags as much as possible and of course, Ellie wanting to go to the most glamourous places that would permit her. I remember for her 17th Birthday, she went to Mezzo in Soho which was a Conran restaurant. So, whist we were all basking in the glory of getting Chinese takeaways unadulterated, Ellie was always pushing for the finer things. She was telling me about it the next time I saw her and all I could remember thinking was "How the fuck did she manage to get served booze in a high end restaurant when she was clearly there to celebrate her 17th Birthday? I mean they brought out a cake with her age on it?"
But somehow she always managed it.
There are many, many similar times and instances like that I could go into but I think the most important thing I'd like to put across is just how kind Ellie was. There were many times I would be baffled by Ellie's kindness. Sometimes to people that didn't deserve it. She was loyal and kind to people regardless of what infringement had happened. She was always kind to me, but it was only when I split up with my then girlfriend, I got it. Ellie could have given me so much trouble for breaking up with her best friend, but when she came around to collect some things on her behalf, she didn't.
What I was met with was kindness and understanding. Ellie at her best.
Again, when I set up my business a few years back, she supported me locally. I still hadn't seen her in many, many years and yet here she was supporting someone from her past without any prompting or hesitation.
It was my 40th in late July this year. My girlfriend had planned a surprise trip out to some nice cabins in Essex complete with personal wood fired hot tub, fire pits and splendid vista's of which I posted on Instagram. Naturally, Ellie took and interest and messaged me asking where it was, but also saying how nice it was my girlfriend had planned it, that she looked nice and she was glad I'd bagged myself a nice one.
That meant a lot to me her saying that. I was glad to have her blessing and coming from someone who knew me from way back, it meant a lot to me.
I was obviously shocked and upset to hear she had passed away. I spent young, formative years when we were all trying to figure things out with Ellie and even though we hadn’t seen each other in a very long time, every single time I passed the door on my street where she used to live, I always thought of her and I will continue to do so.
