29. Cheeseburger and chips by Hong Liang

I first met David about 10 years ago when we bought the Piranha Seafoods business in Eastbourne. In my memory, David was a very nice, friendly and polite boy. Every time he came to our shop he ordered the same thing - a cheeseburger with extra cheese and chips. He always had lemon pepper in the chips. He loved our char-grilled burgers so much that he often brought his friends to our shop for the same meal.

He said to me that when he finished his apprenticeship he wanted to join the army and be a soldier. That was his plan for the future. In fact he did it very well, making us very proud of him. Some time after he had joined the army, David came to our shop telling me he had just come home for a few days of holiday and that he was enjoying life in the army even though the wages weren't very good.
 

We saw that David had grown up to be a tall young man. We all thought that he would have a successful life and a bright future. He seemed to us like a very motivated and determined person.

One sad day early in the New Year, David's Mum (Anne) came down to tell us that David had had an accident at a party. Everything happened just so suddenly, so soon. Even now, a few years later, we still keep thinking that David hasn't left us yet. He should still be with his family and his friends now. But what a shame that David had to leave us. He is not going to come back forever and we will miss him forever. David was a rare person, compassionate and caring. We feel lucky for having known him.