for HEROES
When SAMANTHA KNOTT was suddenly widowed just weeks after her wedding, her beloved husband continued to help others after his death…
Dragging my suitcase behind him, my partner Graham, 44, turned and gave me a huge smile.
‘Welcome to your new home,’ he beamed. It was May 2018 and after just over a year of dating, I’d moved in to his home in Blackburn, Lancashire.
We’d first met online back in 2016 when I was living in Preston. It’d taken me seven months to build up the courage to meet up with Graham, but when we did, in February 2017, we’d had a beautiful day. After a stroll along the river, we’d grabbed fish and chips.
‘I’d love to do this again,’ Graham said when we finally parted ways. The moment I got home, a text was waiting for me.
‘Can’t wait to see you,’ it read. I couldn’t wait either! He was cheeky, kind and gave me lots of compliments. Every time I thought of him, I felt butterflies in my tummy, just like a teenager!
For just over a year, Graham and I met up at my house every weekend, until I moved in with him. That night, Graham placed his phone on my lap.
‘What’s this?’ I asked picking it up.
If there’s one thing we’ve learned
‘Life’s incredibly short, make sure you enjoy every second.’
‘We’re going to Turkey,’ he smiled. I was stunned! He’d booked us a sunshine holiday! But that was Graham – thoughtful, always looking out for me.
Just two weeks later, we jetted off to Turkey, and on our final night, we headed to the beach to watch the sunset.
‘I want to know you forever,’ he said, pulling a diamond ring out of his left pocket. ‘Will you?’
‘Of course!’ I gasped. We flew home and set about planning our wedding. In July 2019, we married at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool, in front of 60 guests and jetted off to Egypt for our honeymoon. Five weeks after flying home, I was set for a girls’ night out.
‘I’ll see you soon,’ I said, walking out the door with glad-rags on. ‘Love you.’
‘Love you more,’ Graham replied. After a top night out with the girls, I called it a night at 2am. After 40 minutes in a cab, I opened the door and crept into our bedroom. I lifted up the quilt, and kissed Graham on the head. ‘Love you, honey,’ I said, softly. He groaned. It was a strange sound and one that sent alarm bells ringing.
A moment passed. He groaned again. ‘Everything OK?’ I asked, putting my hand on Graham’s shoulder. No response.
I switched on the light, Graham was staring straight ahead and making choking sounds. He didn’t seem to see me at all. I knew something was dreadfully wrong. I grabbed my ph
