David Nicholson

Sadly, we're becoming all too familiar with the dreaded phone call informing us that another good friend has died. But because I had enjoyed a very extended "lunch" with Dave Nic and Bill Saltmarsh less than a week ago, it came as an even greater shock than normal to get that call.

Dave had been on sparkling form in the pub, hopping from one topic to another with his usual verve, toying with words as only the truly articulate can do. Oddly, it occurred to me during that last session that Dave had handled his increasing health problems with tremendous courage. Spinal degeneration had bent his neck double so he was forced to slump almost horizontally in order to meet you eye to eye. When we worked together, Dave regarded me as the desk's in-house physician (I don't know why) and would often book a consultation for an upcoming pub break. It was during one of those meetings that he told me he had been diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis and I rushed home to check my medical tomes. It was not good news, particularly for a large chap who once held the round-the-desk sprint record for many years at 85, Fleet Street. But for the last 20 years, he never ever whinged. Not once. ■