When I found out the news about Mel, it was an hour before I had to teach a session. I wanted to cancel, sit and cry, read through old emails and texts and just be sad about it all. But Mel’s dedication to her students filled my mind. The fact that had it been her, she’d have done everything to keep the critical conversation going and would put her students first, always. There’s so much I could say but there wouldn’t be the room for it all. I know I’m not alone in how I feel, that’s the amazing thing about Mel - she touched so many people’s hearts in such a short time. The friendship I felt with Mel after just a short time of being taught by her and then working with her was immense, more immense than any before. Mel was warm and comfy and loving but also inspiring, passionate and incredibly knowledgable. We had bonded over Marx, social class, the doggies and Mark(y)’s amazing quiches that he would make whenever I’d visit Mel for a session of writing together. Mel is the reason I’m lecturing now, doing what she loved, I wouldn’t be here if she hadn’t pushed me and believed in me and inspired me to pursue it wholeheartedly. I am really honoured to be lecturing on the module she taught me on, looking back through her teaching resources that run through the core of so many modules and classes. She was so much more than a former lecturer, she was a friend and I and so many others will always miss her very dearly. Sending my love to her friends and especially her family, as I know this will be an incredibly awful time. Lots of love always, Abbie xx