In September 2004, Alex and I took Jo to Greenwich University where she was to study English and media studies. (We always said it was as far away from home that Jo could get without actually leaving the country!)

Having stayed with Auntie Joan in Cuffley, we set off in the car with a map kindly highlighted by nextdoor neighbour, Tony. While Jo sat in the back watching a film on her laptop, we negotiated our way to Greenwich, having to make a few stops to ask for directions, getting rather hot under the collar! 

We eventually made it to the halls of residence. Jo and I, along with Amy had been to see the Uni and the halls previously, when we also visited the London Chest Hospital which was to be the hospital Jo would go to if needed- in fact, she had a few stays during her time at uni.

The first person we met at the halls was Jo's nextdoor neighbour, Aimee, who was to become a very close friend, and who kept in touch with Jo and in fact still keeps in touch with Alex and I.

After a tearful goodbye we left Jo behind and headed back to Cuffley. We used Tony's map but because part of the route was one-way, we got dreadfully lost and after a horrendous journey made straight for the pub! We phoned Jo to make sure she was ok only to find her also in the pub , handily situated under the uni halls, with Aimée and the others from her hall!

During the first year, I visited Jo several times (obviously taking in a theatre show each time!) In her second year, Jo moved to a flat in Evelyn Street which she shared with Aimée, John, Matt and Dimitri. This flat didn't work out and Aimée and Jo moved to a flat in Alloa Road, where they stayed till their graduation. Alex and I also stayed there on our visits. During her time at uni Jo made some very good friends who she continued to keep in touch with.

During her time at uni, Jo found a job working in a bar/coffee shop near Brick Lane called Cafe 1001. She would sometimes text me to say she'd just served someone famous! Once when Alex and I went to visit, she took us to see where she worked and a band called Block Party were filming a music video. 

In October 2007 we went to Greenwich for the graduation. It was a very emotional day, seeing our wee girl graduating with a 2:1 after everything she'd been through. We were so proud of her. The ceremony was lovely, with a reception afterwards in the Painted Hall. We then went for a celebratory meal with Aimée and her family.

We have kept in touch with Aimée's family and Aimée has often been to Edinburgh on holiday, usually staying with Jo. She was a very good friend to Jo and we're so glad they ended up as nextdoor neighbours.😊