1. I first met Spike in the garden of Mel's chilly flat off Edgeware Road. I remember being introduced to the quiet fresh faced guy with the northern accent who played bass and I wondered if he'd be good enough for my friend Mel. Turns out he was.

2. Waking up early on one of our many French holidays together I saw a tiny Maisie and Spike framed in the doorway of the gite we were staying in. Maisie was toddling around engrossed in moving small stones from one side of the door to the other. Spike, standing quietly smoking, was watching her; agreeing with her chat and encouraging her activity. It was a small moment now frozen in memory.

3. The last conversation I had with Spike was a few weeks ago driving back from Taunton with Dave and Mel. It was a few days after the general election and I was giddy with what Labour could achieve. Spike was more measured but upbeat and thoughtful. As the modest, eloquent campaigner he was his interactions with politicians and influential people in the realms of law and social justice seeped into our conversation. He rubbed shoulders with people I just read about or saw on the news. We were very animated and probably a bit irritating to Dave and Mel but I'm so happy we had that conversation. As the world turns without Spike's physical presence I'll keep thinking - I wonder what Spike would have made of that.