ECHO 21/12/05

Another Christmas card arrives for O. This one from an old school chum in Wakefield who has no idea O has passed away. He mentions how the town has changed – become ‘a Honky Tonk town with no decent pubs.’ He no longer sees any of ‘the old boys’ anymore and barely goes out now. His words are hopeful that O will respond; it is sad. Two entire lives, two histories and only one holder of the memories left – and for how long? Pol turns to me with tears in her eyes and promises that she will send a reply and let him know the news, this man we have never met.