Childhood best friends who reunited after 60 years lived minutes apart in Linlithgow

Two childhood best friends have been reunited after 60 years apart – after unknowingly living minutes away from each other for the past three years.

Irene Gresty, 80, and Janet Henderson, 80, couldn’t believe their luck when they bumped into each other at a charity event.

The pair, who grew up together in Linlithgow, lost touch when Irene moved from the area after her husband was deployed by the Navy.

They had been living just minutes apart for the past three years but, despite living so close, their paths had never crossed.

Irene, who has since lived in a host of countries before returning to Scotland, said: “I loved the area growing up so wanted to settle down to enjoy retirement.

Irene Gresty outside the home she and Janet grew up in as neighbours in 1946. Bield

“From speaking to people I’d known in the past, I found out Janet still lived in the area but our paths hadn’t crossed.

“We were joined at the hip growing up as we were neighbours and also went to school together, we have many fond memories of sticking up for each other and playing in the park.

“I just couldn’t believe my luck, after all these years we just bumped into each other! My heart skipped a beat.”

The duo have vowed to never let it go that long again without seeing each other.

Irene Gresty and Janet Henderson now. Bield

Janet said: “People often move away from the area, and you lose contact, it’s the way life goes.

“We both got married and now have different surnames.

“I hadn’t thought anything of it when someone told me Irene had moved back to the area as I didn’t recognise the name – so when I saw her at the event it was pretty surreal.

“We exchanged numbers so I’m really looking forward to meeting up in the future, we have many years to catch up on.”

The pair reconnected at an event hosted by Bield Housing and Care, a charity with developments to support residents over 55.