He opened it up and read aloud. ‘ “Today I asked the woman of my dreams to dance. She took one look at me, told me to eff off, popped a hard-boiled sweet in her mouth and looked away. I’m not giving up that easily. When I look at her I see my future, a house, some kids, us against the world. She might not see that yet, but I do”.’ He closed the diary. ‘Your mother made me work for it, Rabbit, I’ll tell you that.’ He looked around the room. ‘But here we are, all these years later, and we were all so happy, weren’t we, Rabbit? We had it all, really, even in the bad times, now that I realise there wasn’t a day without laughter – that’s something to say, isn’t it? Do you remember? I do. I remember. We were lucky, Rabbit, and I know that you had some terrible luck, love, but I also know you were born to make the best of things. That’s what you always did, so that’s what we’ll try to do.’ His face was wet. His collar was wet. His hands touching his face were wet. ‘Oh, Rabbit,’ he said, and he wept openly. You’re OK, Da, just breathe. I love ya, Da.

Love ya, Rabbit.

Jack felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see his wife.

‘Where did she go, Molls?’ he asked.

She shook her head. ‘She didn’t go anywhere, Jack. She’s here – right here in our hearts and minds – and that’s where she’ll stay, with you and me, Davey, Grace, Juliet and anyone who ever knew and loved her.’

He grabbed his wife’s hand. ‘I love you, Molly.’

‘Ah well, why wouldn’t you, I’m a fucking ride,’ she said, and she winked at him. He chuckled and kissed her hand but she didn’t laugh or smile. Her eyes were dry and her touch was cold.

‘How are you?’ he asked.

‘Don’t ask,’ she said, and she patted his shoulder and walked away.

When it was time Vincent and Silent Ed guided everyone into the dining room and they surrounded Rabbit. No one really knew what to say. They looked to Molly for a signal. She didn’t give one. She just stood there, looking down on her child. Jack blessed himself. Davey held Juliet’s hand and gave it a little kiss. Marjorie cried. Grace cried. Lenny couldn’t look. He focused on his feet. Stephen put his hand on Grace’s shoulder; she patted it and he let go. Ryan and Bernard just stood there, heads bowed. Jeffrey faced the opposite wall. Finally Molly looked around the room. ‘Is everyone done?’ They all nodded or mumbled the word ‘yes’.

‘Right, then,’ she said. ‘Vincent, if you wouldn’t mind.’ She left the room before the lid was closed over.