When he married, I only heard of it from other people; we'd been parted for a long time already.

And just about then I had a letter from Michael, asking me if I was willing to go out and live with him in Australia.

I hadn't heard from him more than two or three times in twelve years, and when this letter came to me I was living in Sheffield; I'd been there about five years.

He wrote to say he was doing well, and that he didn't like to think of me being left to spend my old age alone.

It was a kind letter, and it warmed my heart.