Ashes to ashes

Claire Mear, 52, from Norfolk

I’d forgotten to dispose of the green plastic urn

Carrying a box of clothes from the van, I followed my partner Brian into the house. We’d met at work – he was an ambulance driver and I was an emergency medical technician – and after a whirlwind six week courtship, he was moving in with me. There was still a lot about each other we didn’t know – as I was about to find out… ‘What’s this?’ I asked, picking up a green plastic container with a screw-top.

‘Careful you don’t drop that,’ he replied matter-of-factly. ‘Mum’s ashes are in it.’ My mouth fell open with shock.