A new phase of the nightmare was about to begin.We were advised not to travel to Portugal straight away. The identity of the body was proving to be difficult. It would depend on D.N.A. and this could take some time. We were told that the Portuguese authority could perform the test but the results could take up to six months to process.This was totally unacceptable.
The next few days were spent in a bubble, cushioned by shock, to the awfulness of the situation.We walked for miles, just to fill the long days. We visited the tree,which was a meeting place in the local park where Nick and his friends would hang out. Flowers had been placed at the foot of the tree as a tribute to their friend.