How they MET

It was love at first sight - but did Jeanie take another woman’s man?

- Carly McIntyre

It had become a tradition that, on their wedding anniversary, with the family gathered around to toast their happiness, Sam and Jeanie would retell the story of how they met.

I remember the first time. It was Sonia, their eldest, who raised the question. We were all in the sitting room on a warm summer evening. 'So, Mum and Dad, how did you two get together back in the Dark Ages?'

Jeanie made a token gesture of asking Sam if he wanted to tell the tale, but we all knew if he even opened his mouth, she'd jump in and take over. Dear Sam, he didn't mind. Jeanie was the extrovert, he was always happier sitting quietly in her shadow. 'Better coming from you,' he said, diplomatic as always.

Jeanie sat upright. 'Well, as you know, I love reading. I'm at the library every week or searching through secondhand bookshops. Back then, there were no Kindles - just good old-fashioned cloth-bound books.