Survival - bad reception, bad news

He'd gone east a very handsome young man. He arrived back that day in Liverpool very much changed, a shadow of his former self, but a shadow that looked hunted, drained, needy.

A sensitive, emotional person, the moment he stepped ashore all he wanted was someone to put their arms around him. Someone to love him. The trouble was, his family members weren't the demonstrative kind. His little sister was equally sensitive, but too inexperienced to know what to do. She still carries the guilt.

And where was his mother? Where was his grandmother? Where was his house?

All gone!