We left Reading about 11.40 and got stuck in traffic just before we reached the retail park. Max my son was very excited, as I was. I had never met Adam before and had been told so many great stories via Terry. He loved his Ants days.
We walked in and I turned to Terry and asked “Do we join the queue?” At that moment I spotted the lovely Bel who walked up to us with a huge smile. Having gone to a few conventions I recognised her straight away, she informed me that she had driven all the way from Belgium that morning. Terry gave her a big hug and we all chatted and joked as other people started to join us.
Then there was an opening in the crowd and Adam was sat directly in front of us, Terry shouted ”Hello Mate it’s Terry Lee”. I don't think Adam recognised him. I found out later when we spoke to Adam in private that he had recognized the voice but without his glasses couldn’t visually recognize him.
Anyway, back to the story. Many people, after getting their books signed by Adam, asked also if Terry would sign it, Terry did not mind this at all. I was slightly worried and turned to Bel and said, do you think Adam will mind, she said that she didn’t think so. Adam kept looking over he did not seem to mind. The security people there were not opposed either.
Terry had not seen Adam since 1986, and it was important for him to attend, as he wanted to see and find out how his friend was. Adam did phone a couple of years before, but that had been the only that they had had for years.
Terry was enjoying meeting and catching up with everyone. Everyone was so kind to us. So thank you for that. We stood with DG, Caroline, and Bel, CD and Dave. I was interested to know what Adam had said to them and also what they had been up to. DG had just done a charity walk, so good on her. I asked about the London signing, they attended and they believed Adam looked more relaxed at Newbury. Terry carried on speaking and signing other books and I was now talking to a lovely little girl about the same age as our little girl, Phoebe, her name was Mia. Mia lead by Phoebe decided to have a look and see if they could dismantle the dinosaur bookshelf. Both mums told the children “No”, at that point I thought it would be best to take Phoebe and have a walk round the retail park in their many stores.
I called to Terry. Terry came back over to me and then leaned over the rope banister and said to Adam, "Ads, I will be back later”. Adam waved back and said "OK"
With that we went and had a look round. We knew the signing was finishing at two.
Just before two, we walked back. Caroline said he has nearly finished. As we were walking back into the store, Adam had in fact finished and he saw Terry and they had a huge hug. It was a great moment Terry was beaming with his special smile. Terry introduced me and I received a kiss from Adam on both cheeks, it was fantastic and very warm. Security asked if we could take it upstairs. I looked at Adam as wanted to make sure that was ok with him. He said yes. I had not actually realised how many people were around us, and we were taken upstairs.
Upstairs Terry and Adam had a chat, Adam introduced us to Clare, she is beautiful. We did not stay for long as we knew Adam had a busy day. We said our goodbye’s Adam, kindly kissed me on both cheeks as did Clare. Adam
had another big hug with Terry , I took a few photo's. Adam then looked at Max who is 10 and shook his hand, Max was over the moon, he has seen so many video's and is a great fan. Max did keep on commenting how young Adam looked.
It was a fab day, I had met a wonderful man who seemed to be coping with his illness, was very kind and friendly to a person and her children, who he had never met before and only knew of me through his old friend Terry Lee. It was fantastic.
