She helped him through the cafe door, br holding his arm in a practical sort of way - br Never one for self-indulgence, br our Jeanie. br br 'How are you me old mate? ' br The two Masonic friends shook hands. br (They'd been reciting ritual br and boozing together since 1968) . br 'He was the best bloody ritualist you've ever heard! ' br br They joined us at the table. br Jeanie held the floor, br bright and firmly cheerful. br She prattled on about br the practicalities br of moving house after sixty years. br br Alan smiled obediently. br His eyes were far away, br lost in a forest of emptiness br that none of us could penetrate. br br It was a familiar sort of gathering, br with talk of sons and grandchildren br and the excitement of recent snow. br br When we said goodbye, br the two old friends held one another br long and close. br Jeanie watched them. br I saw her face tighten...