India Hicks

Whether it was platonic love or physical love, no one probably except my mother really knows.

And my mother absolutely maintains that it was a very, very deep relationship of mutual respect and adoration and love.

But she fundamentally believes that Nero was a man of honour and he would never have actually physically been with the viceroy's wife.

However...

My grandmother had had many affairs throughout her marriage, as had my grandfather.

Of course, we're talking about a time and a generation and an upbringing where it was much more acceptable.

And my grandmother was tricky.

She was an amazing woman, amazing.

And actually, whenever I'm asked, who would you like to have met in your life?

I would have liked to have met her because she fascinates me.

Yes.

But she was, I think, tricky.

And my mother said it was when she was in love with Nero, she became much easier to be around.

And of course, those 18 months of transition during the transition of power, which really was a poisoned chalice.

Correct.

47, they went out there.

And my grandfather was asked to go out there.

And his mother said, don't go, Dickie.

This is the dirty work of the politicians.

but my grandfather very much feeling that duty and service came before anything went out there so my mother who is 97 about to be 97 has very very clear memories of all of that time and it's fascinating to hear her talk I mean I wonder if there is anyone else living today who has sat next to Mahatma Gandhi at a prayer meeting