Why I Never Grew Up
Anyhow, on with the story.
I suppose in those days there must have been one or two people round our way with a bit of money. We didn't have any, anyhow.
I distinctly remember one winter's evening, there was an old couple, well they weren't old - middle aged then, lived opposite us, I forget their names now.
I was about 12 or 13 at the time, and he was laying ill in bed. He used to work up by the town hall somewhere in the umbrella shop or something, I never knew his name.
Anyhow, as I say he was laying ill. She comes running across one night, would one of us run up the chemists up the town and get a prescription for her husband. Well, I was picked out as a volunteer so off I goes. I runs all the way up, got the medicines, comes back again, takes it over -
“Oh thankyou ever so much”
Pressed something in me hand, I didn't know what it was - perhaps it was a Threpenny Joe or something, Comes back over home
“Eh Mam, look what I've got”
Open me hand, and there was a tenner - sixpence. Two and a half pee. I couldn't believe my eyes. Two and a half pee for going up town! Cor blimey! I wish she'd ask me more often. Anyhow, Mum says
“I think she must have made a mistake, Ern. What you'd better do is go straight over, and ask her if she'd made a mistake.”
I tell you, I didn't want that. Over I goes, she just patted me on the head and said
“No, that's alright my son, that's alright - you keep it.“
People was always patting me on the head, that's why I never grew up so much I suppose.
