Hayley

Hayley Mills… what can I say? I called her so many names Milly, H, Bestie, Wifey and my little devil. (I think they are the only appropriate ones I can say today). Or fiery redhead about London Town, she would say. She loved London more than anyone I ever knew, I tried to convince her to come to Dubai many times, but no, she was London through and through and Clapham if she could help it.

Twenty-five years of friendship we had (well, apart from the year we fell out, but I take full responsibility - boy, she never let me forget it let me tell you ). We have always been more like sisters or an old married couple. We bicker, laugh, cry, dance, drink (especially this one), have sleepovers, basically think of anything to do together, and if it involves drama, that was us.

She was my party girl, and in our twenties, we literally spent years doing the same thing each weekend. We would go out, and our taste in drinks moved on swiftly because of Hayley’s expanding taste - we were on the blue WKDs, and then it went to Pinot Grigio, then prosecco, and these days and for a while, it’s been whispering angel. (Or any Provence rose to be honest) I know much more about wine because of Hayley (people in First class at BA get a better experience because of what Hayley’s taught me). We would go out to a few bars before she would always get us on a guest list in some fancy place. It would be such a struggle to get her home. These days it was still the same, but eventually, we would come home… stopping for a portion of chips on the way back… we would sleep a little and then in the morning, we would be straight to Starbucks for a cappuccino, and then we’d share a chocolate chip cookie so that it would take the guilt away. After that, we’d make our way to the gym and run next to each other for an hour at the same pace even, may I add (I know I will never find another friend that does this with me… fact), and then we would have a salad and share chips (again that’s us trying to be healthy) and then repeat. I have never met anyone that is so similar in what we both liked.

We were joined at the hip, it was like Hayley, and Brig were one word. We would go away on holidays or weekends with our friends (what a special group we have, by the way). It was always hard deciding who was in which room - we’d see if the snorers could go together etc., but again Hayley and I would just go into one of the rooms, and it wasn’t even a question we would be together. I spoke to her daily, and our conversations were about what we ate for breakfast/what are you watching on Netflix. We told each other everything. (It was also quite often about asking her how her date went if it was during the week). Hayley was so busy and would have plans every day, but she always prioritised me. She lived life to the full and loved her fancy things. She was a hard worker but a work-hard, play-hard person.

Recently we met up with the girls, and I was feeling generous as I luckily have a boyfriend who pays for me a lot (please don’t dump me because I keep crying over Hayley) and so I gave Hayley my card and said, get the drinks on me. What does she do - she comes back with champagne (said they didn’t do rose); oh, and they don’t do champagne by the glass, apparently. This was just Hayley all over; she always knew what she could get away with.

She was a great listener and great at advice (brutal but great still), but as always the way she found it hard to give herself advice and picked a few of the wrong men in life, I would say (sorry if you guys are here today… I’m sure you’ve changed). But she definitely had her fun. Only last month, she came to support me in doing half a marathon (the only person who came) and after my first lap, I passed her, and she was texting on her phone. I had to shout to get her attention, but that was Hayley, and it did make me chuckle. (She made sure she was supporting me the other laps).

We would do everything together. When I joined a netball team, she realised it was pretty social, so she also joined even though she didn’t love netball as much. I created a work netball team, and she also had a FOMO on this, so she joined my work team. Hayley never wanted to be missing out. I recently created a book club, and I asked Hayley if she wanted to join. Her reply was, ‘It’s not a question of a choice’. I love that she had FOMO about anything that would be social (involving wine). Hayley was not missing out.

She was honestly one of a kind and could laugh at herself a lot. She could be a little crazy at times but would be the first to admit it - she was witty and intelligent. She was so blunt and honest but unapologetic about it (however, if you did get a compliment, it would genuinely mean the world). If you were her friend, you knew that she loved you and deeply she did love. She was always there for you. She was there for me in my most challenging times, and recently I understood her better at her life battles through my own. She was happier than ever, making up with anyone she had fallen out with and creating a new relationship with her dad. She made peace with everyone, and I really hope she is now at peace.

Hayley Mills, I promise to look after Maureen and Kim because I know that’s precisely what you would be saying to me now. They were your world and Jake, and you never stopped talking about them. They were always your screen saver; I know they meant the world to you.

I’m so proud that you became an organ donor and your liver has already saved somebody (for sure, they are going to wonder why they love rosé so much), so please, everyone, have a toast to Hayley later (think of her when you drink rosé) as that’s what she would have wanted (with a few tears bitch she would have said).

You’ll always be my best friend/my wifey. I love you, my Hayley, and I miss you. Life is not going to be the same without you…

xBx