"I'll put a new one in Bill, while you're sitting quiet. Alright?"

"Here you are, Bill. Have one of my cough-drops, and be still and quiet, I want to hear the record, not your mouth," interrupted Derek nervously, hoping to hear nothing more from Bill.

Then, as usual, Mam bowled in without knocking.  Giving me a sideways glance, she said,

"You can put something in the 'lectric meter as soon as it goes out. I've put enough in. Oh, hello Billy.  How's your mother these days?"

"Winning, when I left, Mrs Thomas."

"Playing cards then, are they? Are they going to The Goodrich for a drink?"

"They probably will.  They were a few pound up when I left," said Billy.

"And I was only just saying to your father before I came in, it's about time you all got yourselves some tidy girlfriends, and less of this gallivanting. I s'pose it's love 'em and leave 'em is it?" she said laughing.

To my surprise, they all blushed.

"Woo. Look    at    their    faces! Struck a nerve there, Mam," I said, enjoying their discomfiture.

"Pity you don't blush once in a while. Perhaps they're not as brazen as you!  Anyway, I've got to go and get ready. Have a nice time all of you, and watch that drinking, it's not a bit of good to you," she said, shutting the door behind her.

"Where did you learn to blush then, Bill?" I asked.

"Sshh!  I'm listening to Doris," he replied, turning his head away.

"Right!  Whose got all the money then, Pearson?" said loud enough for Derek's ears.

"Derek has, without a doubt, Ron."

Right, Der', tell them how you promised me never to say that awful word savings ever again. Go on. Tell 'em.  And how you thought it was time you paid," said Pearson, poker-faced.

"What are you on about? You earn as much as me Pea'." (They both worked as shop assistants at the local Co-op).

"Oh! Sorry. I must have misheard you again. I must stop doing that Derek, it's becoming a habit."

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