Yvette Zarzoso knows just how important it is to have supportive and trustworthy friends in your life.
The Aberdeen mum found out who her real friends were when her young daughter fell seriously ill.
Little Estelle was only a month away from her second birthday when she needed urgent medical help.
She was rushed to hospital showing signs of dehydration after refusing to eat or drink.
‘Doctors prepared me for the worst’
Doctors explained they needed to carry out tests for meningitis when they arrived at the emergency department.
“I was told if there had been a rash it would have been too late, that the next 10 minutes were crucial,” Yvette says.
“They were basically preparing me for the worst. When they told me they were 99% sure she had meningitis, I felt like I had been hit by a bus.
“How she pulled through I have no idea, it was really stressful.”
‘People crossed the street when they saw me’
Coping with a seriously ill child was harrowing enough – but Yvette was shocked at how other people reacted.
“There were people who crossed the road when they saw me, because they thought that they were going to catch something,” she says.
The condition’s usually caused by bacteria or a virus. It’s less common to catch it from someone else.
“Some people phoned but it was to see if they were at risk; they weren’t phoning up out of concern. It was really tough.
“Adele was one of the few people who still spoke to me.
“She stuck by me when I just felt like the world was carrying on and I had just stopped.
“She was so supportive. This is why Adele means so much to me.”
On asking her friend to take on a very important role…
Although she didn’t know Adele very well at that time in 1992, their friendship has grown since then.
The Aberdeen friends met at a baby lunch club and have become so close since that they’re now best friends.
And after studying the same HNC course at college, they’ve spent more than a decade working together at the charity Shmu helping residents living in regeneration areas.
“We’re quite naughty,” mum-of-six Yvette, who works as an employability support worker, explains.
“When we were at college we weren’t allowed to sit together – it’s like French and Saunders. It’s that kind of friendship.”
Yvette, 46, recently asked Adele to take on one of the most important roles you can ask of a friend.
“I’m getting married in a year’s time at St Machar Cathedral and she is going to be my bridesmaid,” she said.
“She’s one of the only people I trust and I couldn’t imagine it being anyone else.”
‘Everyone needs a good friend in their lives’
Adele will be chief bridesmaid at Yvette’s wedding when she ties the knot with partner Manson Geddes in June.
And Adele, who works as a radio development worker at Shmu, admits she was a bit shocked to be asked to take on the role along with Yvette’s daughters and sister.
“I was really surprised – especially when I’m not very girly,” the mum-of-two says.
“I think that’s really when we realised just how long our friendship has been and how excited we are to share that time.”
The 40-year-old says she’s also appreciated all the help and support she’s been given from her best friend over the years.
“To have someone who is there for you, no matter what is happening, is really important. Everyone needs someone and she’s that person for me.
“Nothing is ever too much for her to help with – and we always have a laugh together.”
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