In a quiet voice, Bray said, ‘We’re going to leave you alone with him now. Let us know when you are ready.’

A few moments later, the two women departed.

Roy and Cleo returned to Bruno’s bedside. His grandparents had already been in to say their goodbyes and had now left. They had agreed, after an initial reluctance, with the decision to donate Bruno’s organs, having been persuaded they would get some small comfort knowing that their grandson would help others to live.

They sat on the two chairs beside the bed. Cleo took a jar of Bruno’s hair gel from her handbag, along with a brush and comb, and set to work on arranging his hair, as best she could after his surgery, in the meticulously neat way Bruno always wore it.

Grace smiled appreciatively at her, then stared at his son’s face, trying to put out of his mind, for a moment, all the technology around him and attached to him, to both monitor him and keep him – even if only technically – alive.

‘Want me to leave you two alone together for a while?’ Cleo whispered when she had finished.

‘No, thank you for offering,’ he whispered back. ‘I’m glad you’re here.’ He turned back to Bruno. ‘Hey, fella! I don’t want to leave anything unsaid. I love you from the bottom of my heart and even though I didn’t know you until recently, it doesn’t change how strong my feelings for you are. You have taught your stepmum and me so much in such a short time. It’s OK to be a bit different, a bit quirky. But now, my son, you are going to do the most significant thing in your life and we will be forever proud. You are going to give your organs to someone who needs them more than you. You will live forever in them. You will live forever in our hearts and in our minds.’

He and Cleo were sobbing now. ‘Bruno, you have made us so proud and we love you. Now be at peace. Goodnight, sleep well, my love.’

There was no response. Just the constant beeps from around them, beyond the curtains.

Grace stared at Bruno for several minutes, willing his eyes to open, even though he knew it wouldn’t happen. He looked around at the machines again and again, looking for some change, some signal. But nothing.

With tears running down her cheeks, Cleo stood, indicated with her finger for him to stay put, and slipped out through the curtain.

Grace took his son’s motionless right hand. ‘Goodbye, little chap,’ he whispered, his chest heaving. ‘I’m sorry we never had the chance to get to know each other more. I’m sure you’re full of kindness – and life never gave you a chance to show it. But at least we can give you a different kind of chance to show it.’

He broke down crying, his head in his hands.

He was still crying when Cleo returned with Imelda Bray, Charlotte Elizabeth, a doctor and a nurse.