The parents of nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar, who was killed during a Taylor Swift dance class in Southport, wrote a letter to their daughter that was read out at her funeral on Sunday.
Several hundred members of the public lined a street in the Merseyside town to honour Alice and many stood outside listening to the service.
Here is what Sergio and Alexandra wrote:
Dear Alice,
You were our perfect dream child. Everything was idyllic from the moment you arrived.
A good girl with strong values and kind nature, a lover of animals and an environmentalist in the making.
You moved our worlds with your confidence and empathy.
Playful, energetic, friendly and always so respectful. A peacemaker of the playground.
No shouting is a house rule you applied. A big task for a small girl, especially in a Portuguese household.
Being around you was a privilege. We cherished every milestone. You completed us.
In nine short years, we never needed time off from you. We never gave up our time for anything that didn’t involve you too, and if we did, we’d always do it separately so you could have one of us always next to you.
You were born and raised into love.
And we loved cuddling you every night for almost nine years, apart from the sleepovers and nights away with your friends, we were never apart.
You liked to sleep with Mommy and Daddy, enjoyed shutting the curtains and watching Disney+ with popcorn.
Our room was your comfort place. You were our comfort and peace.
As you were growing up, from a princess to a pre-teen, we began to notice some changes, seeing your independence take shape.
From your skincare regime to playing with makeup, to your dedication to school, to dance and to your faith.
Your to-do list was extensive, and we were sure that you would achieve it if only you had the time.
We talked about which high school you might attend, about growing up having a big house with a garden and having children – children we will never help you raise.
It hurts. We will never see you grow up.
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A day before your final struggle, mummy kept asking if you were okay, so much so that both you and daddy asked why.
Part of me wondered if I was being too British but ultimately I realised I always wanted to know that you were okay.
Now daddy feels sorry for mummy. She has seen things no human should.
You were taken away from us too soon. And we often ask why?
Why here? Why us? Why you? We wonder if you ever thought of us, called for us.
We wonder if you felt any pain. We hope not, my darling.
We then question, could this have been avoided? Could we have stopped it somehow?
Many questions are revolting and we will never get over this pain – but we promised to get all the answers.
Mummy has seen too much and we need to know.
Read more: Last photo of Southport victim as hundreds line streets for funeral
We feel shocked, unimaginable pain. We miss you.
From time to time, the pin drops. When mummy says “good night Sergio, good night Alice” and then it hits us all over again.
We don’t hear you back.
Moving forward will be hard. Some days are better than others, but none will be perfect.
Some moments we are weak and we say wild things, but we made a promise to always be there for each other in moments of despair. A pinky promise.
We share a strong bond and we will always have each other to rely on. We won’t be alone.
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We are surrounded by wonderful community and their full support, family and friends, neighbours, work colleagues, the wonderful servicemen and women who serve the community, your school, your church and all your friends and their parents.
We have the full support of the country and the privilege of multiplying that by two. For that, we’re thankful. For now, our beloved angel, keep dancing.
Mummy and daddy will always, always love you.
