My latest book The Family Next Door centres on the friendship between next-door neighbours Lucy and Eileen. Both women are very different; Eileen, who is in her fifties is guarded and keeps herself to herself whereas her younger, glamorous neighbour Lucy appears to be living life to the full.
When I was writing The Family Next Door I wanted to explore a deep friendship between two women who are complete opposites. In normal life we tend to make friends with people who are like us and are the same age; usually, it’s the children we grew up beside or people in school or college. However having a friend who is different from us, whether that be in age, personality or culture, can offer us a fresh perspective from our normal viewpoint. For example, expanding our social circle beyond our own age cohort — whether that’s with someone younger or older — has a whole host of benefits. An older friend may help you gain the value of their wisdom as you move through life’s challenges — such as a bad breakup or parenting struggles. Meanwhile, the older friend is often rewarded too because as we age we can start to limit our behaviours believing that we are ‘too old’ so mixing with younger people can be really refreshing and keep us young at heart.
In The Family Next Door both Eileen and Lucy are quick to judge one another initially and assume they’ve nothing in common, however, when events collide to bring them together, an unlikely friendship is formed. Through her own tragic life experience, Eileen knows she needs to help Lucy before it’s too late and in getting to know Eileen, Lucy helps the older woman to have the courage to forgive herself and make amends with her past. The friendship between these women helps them both to grow and face their future together.
So, just like Eileen and Lucy, we shouldn’t be so quick to assume we have nothing in common with someone just because they are different from us; sometimes this can be the best ingredient for a strong friendship.