Part 1, Chapter 4 Summary

Two weeks into Jamie's visit, he receives a letter from his girlfriend Karen in Liverpool. Jamie begins to feel homesick for her and recalls all the little characteristics about Karen that make him love her: her orderliness and attention to detail, her laughter and special handwriting.

Jamie passes the time watching television with Gran, eating, chatting and laughing. His visits with Hugh are still unpredictable. Hugh wants Jamie at his bedside but can be extremely ungracious and ill-tempered at times. Despite his coughing, cursing and gruffness, Hugh's eyes are still as bright as they've ever been, and Jamie is as patient with him as can be.

As the days go by, Hugh softens and asks Jamie to play records for him. Cold, frail and shaking, he lies in his bed with tears in his eyes, listening to the songs. One morning...