Love from Dad on 24/02/2010

In February 2002 we had the final of Pop Idol between Will Young and Gareth Gates. Jane was obsessed with the competition to the extent she insisted we had a small family party on the night. We had food and obviously drink with Pop Idol banners and flags. She was a staunch Will Young fan and was desperate for him to win. When it came to voting Jane enlisted the support of Sam in the process by sitting him in our office at the fax machine pressing the redial button on the phone in an effort to vote as many times as possible. Sam started off quite enthusiastic and managed to get through about 3 or 4 times. He then started to complain he was a little bored. Jane coursed Sam into continuing with her plan by supplying him with plates of food and cans of coke. Needless to say Sam continued to press the redial button time after time. I remember opening the office door near the end of the voting session and looking at Sam who was sprawled out in the chair with his legs stretched out and his feet on the desk. His finger was continuingly pressing the redial button on the phone. I asked Sam “how many times have you got through”. Sam replied, “About 7 or 8 now, will you ask Mum if I can stop”. She heard this and shouted to Sam “Not yet the voting hasn’t closed yet”. At this point Hannah announced how sad we all were and went to bed. Sam carried on to the end of the competition. I think he only got through one more time after spending all that time at the fax machine. Will Young won that night and I like to think it was down to Jane & Sam. In any case Jane was very grateful to Sam and hugged him as a thank you for his help. Well done Sam. Love and miss you so so so much my precious Son XXXXXXXXX Love Dad