He sighed, squeezed her hand. What was he going to do without her, out in the field? How would he cope, not being able to discuss his perceptions? She was the one who stopped him coming out with claptrap, curbed his tendency to construct grand theories that encompassed everything. She brought him down to earth. Having her by his side on this mission would have been worth a million dollars.
-- Narrator (Chapter 1)

Importance: Peter and Bea’s relationship is a huge focus throughout the rest of the book. The reader needs to understand how much they care for one another and recognize that it isn’t easy for Peter to just leave her behind while he goes on his mission.

They’d done this hundreds of times before. Conversation, genuine unforced conversation, but with the potential to become something much more significant if the moment arose when it was right to mention Jesus...
-- Narrator (Chapter 1)