Our life-raft FRIENDS

Two women explain the truly special people who’ve helped them in their hour of need

- KIM WILLIS

‘THE LITTLE GESTURES MAKE A DIFFERENCE'

Caroline Thwaites, 42, lives in Yateley, Hampshire, with partner Matt, 41, her children Bradley, 15, Ellie, 11, and Lewis, eight, and their son Harry, three.

My friendship with Lucy was founded on pasta and prosecco. We met 20 years ago as students in Plymouth, and when we moved to London, we’d meet for after-work drinks and dinners. Lucy didn’t have children but was close to mine. When my relationship with their dad broke down, Lucy was there for me. Then, when I fell in love with Matt and fell pregnant, Lucy was happy for us.

Critical times

Everything was fine until the 36-week scan revealed a ‘loss of brain components’. Tests revealed a cyst on our baby’s brain. It was terrifying, and we’d no idea if he’d survive.

Lucy was the first person I called. I was a mess and garbled nonsense and tears down the line. Level-headed and compassionate, she has always been the friend I need in a crisis.

Harry was born on 23 October 2017. He surprised everyone by crying as soon as he was born – a good sign. The cyst wasn’t impacting on him then, so we were told to go home and enjoy our baby. Lucy was there for the good times and the awful moments.

As Christmas approached, Harry’s head was growing so significantly that doctors operated to fit a life-saving shunt that drained fluid of his brain. After, we were told Harry had hydrocephalus – water on the brain – caused by the cyst. People were entering the ward dressed as Santa, but I felt overwhelmed and lonely until Lucy arrived – she seemed to know how big those little gestures were, like bringing me mascara. The shunt was a success and we made it home for Christmas Day.