Well, he didn't see it coming, 'ow the bloody hell was I expected to? The last place I really thought I'd see 'im was 'ere, but then 'e always did like surprising me. 'Is mam was the worst for it, though, she'd watch me coming up the garden path and swing the back door open at the last minute, just as I was about to knock.

I spent more time round 'is place as a kid than me own; well, me mam was a flippin' alcoholic, on 'er own, and 'is family was huge. Two sisters, three brothers, and a cousin who lived with 'em, too. I used to love it. 'Course, 'is father was long gone, just like mine, but for some reason it didn't seem to make no difference there. There was more...I dunno 'ow to describe it...just more love in the 'ouse. Aw, that sounds naff. But you know what I mean, if you knew 'im.

I know we're all going to miss 'im. I know Louise is going to miss 'im more than the rest of us. God bless you, Lou. 'E's looking down on you right now, wantin' you to be 'appy with the time you've got left.

Like all of us. 'E's getting a place ready for us all now. And soon enough, we're going to want to be where 'e is - just like always.