KEEPING MY WIFE'S MEMORY ALIVE

When Karl Lansley, 50, met Carli, he knew that he never wanted to spend another day without her

- FRANCES LEATE, TRACY GAYTON

As my wife Carli, then 24, and I chatted quietly in the corner at a friend’s party, every second word was followed by a laugh. I was trying to convince her to come to a Foo Fighters gig and she’d refused, calling it ‘noise’, so I was teasing her about the boy bands she loved. The only thing we could agree on music-wise was the Moulin Rouge soundtrack. We’d played the song Come What May, at our wedding months earlier in July 2004.

That night, as usual, we sneaked off early to snuggle up together at home.

Despite her being quiet and reserved, people were drawn to Carli. She was calm and loyal, and had a close-knit group of friends. We enjoyed walks by the seafront and nights in front of the TV, thriving on the quiet life. Whatever we did, it was better when we did it together.

A TIGHT-KNIT FAMILY

Once our daughter Jessica came along in September 2006, and Ethan in August 2010, we became even more of a tight family, devoted to each other and to our kids. Carli instinctively knew what was best for me. So when, in May 2017, she encouraged me to set up a football team for Ethan, then six, and some boys in his year, I knew I should do it.

Weeks later, I’d just signed up my last lad for our team of eight. ‘It’s really happening,’ I beamed to Carli, then 36. ‘See, I knew you could do it,’ she smiled back. ‘I’m off to bed,’ she yawned later as we snuggled on the sofa. ‘Night, love you,’ she whispered as we had one last cuddle and she made her way upstairs. I went up an hour later, but it didn’t seem like long before I was up again for my commute into London for my banking job.