Since Belfast, he always sat in a chair facing the door. - Bernard MacLaverty

Are you a conduit for the music?

You know how vivid things are in extremis. There's something going on in the brain. Chemicals. They make the moment indelible."

"But listen to this," Kathleen laughed and wheezed. "We had been talking about books. He tells me he reads a lot - as a matter of fact he's book mad - and when I came in with the tea I said 'Do you like Earl Grey?' and he says, 'I don't know. What did he write?' Isn't that marvellous?" Mary smiled and nodded while Kathleen giggled uncontrollably.