Letter: Raymond Aubrac obituary

http://www.guardian.co.uk/global/2012/apr/22/raymond-aubrac-letter

Version 0 of 1.

In 1970, when I was 19, Lucie Aubrac invited me to stay with her and her husband, Raymond, in Rome, where he had a senior position in the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation. As she was driving me around the city, she started suffering chest pains. Quietly, firmly and clearly, she told me to go to a cafe, phone Raymond and tell him the names of the streets at the nearest intersection so that he could come and fetch us. The instruction was practical, considered and effective.

By the next evening, we knew she was not in danger and was resting. Raymond then invited me out for a pizza. Leaving her for an hour might have looked a little unfeeling, given his very evident concern for her. But it didn't come across that way. He made it clear that now the danger had passed, he could move on to the next matter needing his attention. It was my good fortune that making me feel welcome was that next matter.