Had my first dream about dad since he died. As a vague atheist, dreams about lost loved ones are something I really cling to and it was annoying me I hadn’t seen him yet, but last night, just before his birthday, I had one.

Me and my family were leaving a big seaside hotel to go to a wedding (I think). Just before getting in the minicab I realised I’d left something in my room and I turned to dad and said I had to run back. He said ‘okay son’ and smiled at me and as I went back into the hotel it hit me he shouldn’t be there. I turned around and he wasn’t; there was just my family getting in the cab.

I wasn’t sad. I wasn’t shocked at encountering a ghost. I was delighted. It was such a cheeky little joke he’d played on me, knowing that I’d wanted to see him. I couldn’t wait to get in the cab and tell everyone. Then I woke up.

So now I’m telling you.