Mum made a point of locking the bathroom door.

“Now, you’ve got to make sure your nighties are nice and straight when you get into bed…

you don’t want them all scrunched up around your waist.”

she said as if talking to a couple of toddlers.

I gulped as Mum tucked my brother into bed, then turned towards me.

“I’m nine for ****’s sake!” I silently screamed as she tucked me in too.

“Now I want to make it clear boys…

if either of you takes off your nightie or nappy before I say so,

you’ll both be going to school in your new uniforms,” she said, looking at each of us in turn.

“In fact…” she added is she stood up.

With an air of determination, she strides to the wardrobe and pulled its doors wide open.

“…I’ll get them out ready because I have a feeling you don’t believe me.” she explained

she hung the two identical gingham school dresses from the picture rail opposite our beads.