“Trev, remember when I told you about the one thing I missed from my life before I met you?” Kegan dropped his forearms onto his bent knees, leaned his forehead on them. “You just met her.”

“I met a man with no forehead and receding eyebrows. He had ketchup crusted on his eyelids. I can't remember what we talked about, I just remember him smelling like chicken feed.”

“You wouldn't miss me," she sniffed. "Nah, you're probably right. I only miss you a little now. When i'm awake. When i'm asleep. When i'm breathing." When Miracle finally met his gaze, Hardy let his heart pour into his eyes. "My life is nothing without you, Miracle. Nothing. I love you. Do you hear me? I love you!”

“Before I go," he said, and paused -- "I may kiss her?"It was remembered afterwards that when he bent down and touched her face with his lips, he murmured some words. The child, who was nearest to him, told them afterwards, and told her grandchildren when she was a handsome old lady, that she heard him say, "A life you love.”

“His fingers curled around her neck and he put his forehead to hers before sharing, “I remember, Rocky. I remember everything. I remember every… fucking… thing.”

“He leans back casually in his chair as I watch the corner of his mouth pull up just a fraction. "And what sort of conversation is it that you think you've missed?"I take a deep breath and put the DVD's onto the floor. "The one about us.”