Alan and Irene first met in Rennie Road children's home when he was seven and she was nine. Both had lost their mothers when they were very young. When the car Irene was in drew up outside the Home, seven year-old Alan was staring out of the window. And when he saw the little girl step out of the car, he knew, in that instant, that she was someone special. Alan dashed outside to meet her, and promised to show her where everything was. Over the next year the children were inseparable. But close friendships weren't encouraged and when it was discovered how close they were Alan was sent away without any explanation and no goodbye. Despite being forcibly parted their bond was never broken and each started an incredible 45 year journey to find the other again. This is a love story that stretches across what is now 50 years and regardless of a series of amazing coincidences and almost insurmountable obstacles, they found each other at last and married in 2007. NOT WITHOUT YOU contains painful memories of lonely childhoods, cruelty and desperate attempts to escape the system, but it's an astonishing story that demonstrates the ultimate truth: that love can surmount all odds.