Listen Peter,’ he said seriously. ‘What I'm about to say is extremely important, not only for your own good, but for the good of everybody. You've certainly seen the war posters about careless talk costing lives.’ I nodded. ‘What you've just said is an example of careless talk. It's very dangerous. It could even cost your own life.

We're going to have a woman lodger.’ ‘Cripes,’ said Jenno. ‘That'll cramp yer style a bit.

Yew? Not roight in the 'ead? Jus' let me tell yew somefink yew cockeyed idiot. Oi moight call yew daft sometimes, but that don't mean yew're crazy. If'n yew're not roight in the head, then Oi'm Mussolini's fairy godmother.

It 'appens to be true. An' if'n yew want ter stay moi friend, yew'd best 'old yer turpitudinous twaddle of a tongue an' listen fer once.

You cackle a lot, but don't lay any eggs.

Yes, it would really mean something to be kissed by Jenno.

Cripes, ol' slow-boat Peter. D'yew always do wot yew're told— loike at school?’ ‘You know the answer to that.’ ‘So neither don't Oi.’ ‘Do I.’ Jenno sighed. We both laughed. ‘Do I,’ she repeated. She grinned at me. ‘Oi c'n be independent too, if'n Oi want.

The subject of kissing seemed to be an awkward one. Better keep quiet about it in future. What was obviously important, was to kiss; not talk about it.