Mothers-in-law, like stepmothers, often have a bad reputation, but I was very fortunate. Right from when we first met, I always felt that Nina accepted me completely, and, if she ever had to take anyone's part, she would always take mine, even if it meant disagreeing with her son. Perhaps, given this relationship, it was only natural that I eventually decided to collect together her story, knowing that, if I did not, it would disappear for ever. Already, most of those connected with her story have passed on; soon there will be none left, and in another generation, even the memories will have faded or will have mutated beyond recognition. Everyone leaves a story behind, and some stories are more dramatic than others; Nina's story is one of these.