Guest Post: Susanna Green

Helena and I lived together in Queenstown Road, London, back in 2005-6, after studying Italian together at UCL. We became very close during that time, and I have incredibly fond memories of our time in the flat.

Helena also played a pivotal role in the meeting of my now husband, Tim, when we were out one night in All Bar One, Clapham. Her blonde swishing hair and beautiful smile attracted a friend of Tim’s to come over to chat to us, and Tim followed shortly afterwards, noticing that there were in fact two girls to entertain!

Tim and I moved in together about a year later in Kingston but it wasn’t long however before Helena’s drive also took her from our flat in Queenstown Rd to begin a new job in Milan. I went out to Milan to visit her twice in October 2006 and February 2007 and each visit was met with a very carefully planned itinerary, taking in all of the sights of the city, both by day and night.

One of the first things Helena had done in Milan, was to buy a Gucci bag with her bonus, as she had noticed that all of the women in Milan owned beautiful designer bags and she wanted to feel as Milanese as possible. It wasn’t hard for her to fit in to such a stylish city, as she was always so naturally glamorous, and had a great eye for fashion and accessories.

On my second visit in a bright and sunny February 2007, I particularly remember us dressing up extra smartly to ensure that we would be allowed access to some of the designer stores in Via Montenapoleone and Via della Spiga. We darted in and out of Prada and Gucci pretending that we could definitely afford all of the season’s key pieces, in fact ending our morning buying some clothes and shoes in the more affordable H&M store!

Via Montenapoleone

We stopped for lunch at a wonderful little restaurant off the tourist track, which Helena had discovered through work. We enjoyed primi, which consisted of Milanese salami and cheeses, before enjoying risotto washed down with local white wine. Helena insisted even after discussion, that she paid for my lunch; she was always so generous to her visitors, and made every minute of my trips a real joy.

After a day of touring Milan, we returned home ready to glam ourselves up for the evening! Helena had researched a few great bars in the area and we set off on a mini tour of the city by night. First stop was a swanky hotel bar near to her flat, where we ordered ourselves Martini Rosso. I remember Helena’s order being met with the response of ‘Eleganza!’ from the barman. Helena not only looked elegant but drank elegantly as well!

Susie and Helena 

Pretty smile

On the Sunday morning, we went out to take coffee in a local café. Helena really enjoyed taking coffee, tea & hot chocolate with friends and I have many memories of all the little café’s we found over the years in London, Milan and Brussels. As usual, Helena’s intellectual side shone through, as she sat sipping her cappuccino reading the paper, voicing all her concerns over the then current political issues.

I admired her intelligence and passion for politics greatly and this photo really sums up both her fun loving nature, as well as her more serious & intellectual side. The Gucci bag also takes its place on the sofa next to her! 

Reading the paper

These memories of Helena make me smile every time I think of them and I am so glad that I was lucky enough to be Helena’s friend and share in part of her wonderful yet short time with us. I am always thinking of her.

Brugse Zot

Last night I went to a Belgian restaurant in London called Belgo that serves mussels, fries, and a plethora of Belgian beers. As I was looking over the menu of dozens of beers I suddenly saw a name I recognised. Where had I seen it before? 

Then I remembered, Brugse Zot is brewery in Bruges that we  visited a little less than a year ago. The memories came rushing back of a magical day Helena, Cecilia, Josh, TAB and I spent in the beautiful town of Bruges just after New Years. We took the train from Brussels and spent the whole day together, touring the town where Helena had spent a year doing her masters.

We took a carriage ride through the quaint medieval town, walked among the chocolate and lace shops, and took a tour of the Brugse Zot brewery. Although it was meant to be an English tour, the old lady spoke an interesting blend of Flemish with a few English words thrown in. We laughed and giggled our way through the brewery, and were happily meet by a pint of Brugse Zot at the end of the tour.

Enjoying our Brugse Zot

One of the things I remember most though is Helena and her unbridled joyfulness. She relished every moment, sitting proudly in the carriage, strutting down the cobble stone streets in her UGG boots, giddily chewing chocolates and sipping that delicious beer. Oh, how I miss her joy and sudden bursts of silliness! A few more pictures from the day......

Striking a silly pose !

Cuddling up on the carriage ride

All smiles on the main square

Hot on Chemo

This time last year Helena and Anne had moved into a beautiful apartment on Place Stephanie in the middle of Brussels. Helena was full of energy, feeling less pain with her treatment showing some early signs of success.

The apartment had a lovely and large living room with plenty of floor space, and almost everyday Helena would put on a CD and dance around the room. She bounced around to Bonnie Tyler, Roxette, and of course some Dolly Parton.

Helena was proud of her strength, and with her usual humour and positive attitude she suggested that maybe she should make an exercise video, become the Jane Fonda for people with cancer. The title: Hot on Chemo.

Helena doing her Hot On Chemo moves

Cecilia and I loved to join Helena for her dancing sessions when we were there. We spun around the coffee table, sang, giggled, and forgot all the of the very difficult and scary things we were all facing.

A little blurry, but still one of my favourite memories from our time in Brussels

It still amazes me how incredibly upbeat and full of humour Helena was during her illness.  Of course there were times when she was low but they were the exception, and Hot on Chemo is just one of the many examples of her ability to rise above her daunting reality.