Billy Rabbitt was a friend of Percy Longhurst's who was close to him and Martha until Percy's death in 1946, after which he didn't see much of the widow in subsequent years. He heard of her death whilst drinking in the Conservative Club one night in May 1964 and visited the vestry on Coronation Street to pay his respects. Ena Sharples had laid her old friend out in her bedroom and Billy was one of a series of visitors who called to say their final goodbyes.