“No man wants to hear a beautiful woman tell him he reminds her of her grandad.”

I waited. I knew Harry was a grandad and thought it one of the most honourable titles a man could have. After a moment, his grumpy face relaxed a little. “Then she told me he had died recently. But my size and general appearance, and the fact that she felt safe around me, brought back such strong memories of him for her. Then she hugged me.

“But I knew it wasn’t really me she was hugging. So, on grandad’s behalf, and sure that if he was looking down he wouldn’t mind, I hugged her back.” Grandparents! Their influence on our hearts is so powerful it can often outlast them. And a lucky few of us get to stand in for them sometimes.