Ever since we met you've had a hold on me.

In the Autumn of 1988; himself was still in the Navy. I had Graduated, had a new job, and transferred to a new branch, and moved in to a new house.

I was also rapidly falling into a hole of depression, and one night, I just needed to speak to him. When the boat was in Rosyth, I used to phone the dock yard, and be put through the to ship. I could do the same if the minesweeper was in Troon - the harbour master could put you through.

My thinking was.... If I find the telephone number in Hong Kong of the harbour master, I should be able to speak to him.

Don't ask me how I did it. This was pre-computers. Pre smart phones... Yellow pages was still the main source of information. I seem to remember long and emotional conversation with the International Directory Enquiries

However, eventually I got the number - the number you see here, scribbled on my 1988 Filofax. And I dialled. "Please can I speak to HMS Edinburgh?". Much oohing and haaaing. "The ship" "The Ship, with Prince Andrew on board". "the Queen' son? "

Eventually, I heard what sounded like acknowledgement, and I few buzzes and clicks later, I hear "Hello, HMS Edinburgh". "Hello, please can I speak to Himself please". "Okay, who is speaking?" "His girlfriend, in Scotland". "Ah okay". Please hold on a minute.....

So I waited a few moments, and a few moments more, and finally a sleepy, perturbed sounding himself came on the line, and whispered "hello", and "how the hell did you manage to get this number"

"I called the harbour"

"This is the Captain's Cabin - you got put through to the captain's cabin... he is pacing up and down in the corridor while I'm sitting in here... "

Suffice to say the conversation was short and sweet, but it was enough to get me through the next month or so.

The Captain thought I was very inspired!