An Unexpected Meeting

It's become a yearly occurrence that in August, I head up north to the Outer Hebrides to spend time on the Isle of Lewis and visit my best friend and her family.

However this time became very different, very quickly.

I was standing on the open deck of the Loch Seaforth, the Ullapool to Stornaway Ferry, looking out into the Highlands and the valleys overlooking Loch Broom.

It was at that moment that a familiar face came into view.

John Swinney, the First Minister of Scotland.

At first, I thought it couldn't be him, I laughed it off and walked down the stairs onto the lower deck.

I leaned against the barrier of the deck, just as we took away from the harbour, and then I felt a tap on my shoulder, and, it was the First Minister.

He introduced himself and we shook hands, he told me that he's been following my campaign work and I'm doing a great job.

We spoke at length for about an hour, discussing his journey to becoming First Minister, his recent meeting with President Trump and even about our mutual disdain for the Tories.

At the end of our conversation, as he went back to work and the ferry sailed into the North Sea, he extended an invitation to me to meet with him in his official residence, Bute House in Edinburgh, so we can talk about Childhood Cancer in more detail, and in the warm!

I've been aiming to get to this point for a very long time. I've sent countless emails to his office, spoke to countless staff, but the time has just never been there.

However, we were both in the right place, at the right time, and the stars have aligned.

I will be meeting with the leader of my country Scotland to discuss the thing that drives my passion for change.

The friend I was on that ferry to visit, was also one of Aaron's best friends as we grew up together, through nursery and the early years of primary school.

I am certain that just like that empty chair at the table in my meeting with the Health Secretary, Aaron, wherever he may be, made an intervention, and made me and the First Minister's chance meeting a reality.

Details will be confirmed within the next few weeks.

I can't wait to share this next chapter with you all.

RT x