“How was school today?” she asked. “Do you want a hot drink?”

“OK.” he replied, adding “Yeah please.” followed by “I’ll make it.” He slid the kettle onto the hotplate and told his mother that he’s got a stack of homework to complete before the end of the mid-term break. “I might ride over to Alan Jones’ house on Monday or Friday… if that’s OK?”

“Which one’s Alan?” his mother asked. “The one on Sunnyside Close?”

“No that’s Keith… Alan lives out near Kilburn… his parents have a stable.”

“Oh yes of course.” his mother replied. “Isn’t that a bit far to cycle?”

“It’s only four miles.”

“But it might be icy.”

“Maybe… if it is can I get a lift over?” Peter asked. “…if that’s OK?”

“We’ll see.” his mother replied.

“Cool.” Peter replied since ‘we’ll see‘ usually means yes. He made a cup of tea for himself and a coffee for his mother. She thanked him before suggesting he get on with his homework, since he’s got so much to complete. “I’ve got more than I’ll finish tonight.” he claimed.

“Well you can finish it off tomorrow.”

“Yeah.” Peter replied. He’d rather not complete his homework on the weekend or during his mid-term break because the school recommends that their students should complete their homework assignments in uniform. According to the blurb, it helps them to concentrate and not get distracted from the task at hand. But Peter suspects that that’s not really the reason why his mother always insists on him wearing his uniform whilst doing his homework. She’s always popping her head round the door to check on him and saying things like “There’s no point changing now” should his studies take him within an hour or two of bedtime.