Figure 1.-.

The next day was Christmas Eve but I didn't feel very Christmassy as I still felt tired after a long day the day before. Anyhow I woke fairly early and listened to my Grandfather getting up and brining a cup of tea up to my Grandmother which he always did. Then I heard voices downstairs and guessed that my elder brother had got up too which annoyed me. We weren't allowed out of the bedroom until Gran or Mum came to wake us and I wanted to know what was going on. Finally I heard Gran running our bath and then she came in to get us. We had baths both in the morning and at night at Gran's but I wondered if my elder brother had had one early or he had got away with a wash downstairs this time? This time when Mum came in to supervise the toothbrushing she gave me a look when she handed the brush to me which meant “Don't you dare say a word!” Then it was back to the bedroom where Mum had put out our clothes for the day. At Easter or even Summer this could lead to her and Gran arguing while we just stoodn there waiting for the final decision but seeing as it was Winter they more or less agreed on our clothes. We had breakfast sitting in the kitchen (bacon sandwiches normally) and then I hoped to go out, but my little brither and Inhad to stay in. After lunch I was allowed out into the garden but it was frosty still and I nearly slipped so I came back in. Me and my little brother went to bed early again that night as we always did on Christmas Eve “to make Christmas Day come quicker” as Gran used to say but this time my elder brother was staying up again I was sure.

Waking Up

The next day was Christmas Eve but I didn't feel very Christmassy as I still felt tired after a long day the day before. Anyhow I woke fairly early and listened to my Grandfather getting up and brining a cup of tea up to my Grandmother which he always did. Then I heard voices downstairs and guessed that my elder brother had got up too which annoyed me. We weren't allowed out of the bedroom until Gran or Mum came to wake us and I wanted to know what was going on. I thought of pretending that I needed the toilet and then risk going halfway down the stairs to listen but thought better of it.

Morning Bath

Finally I heard Gran running our bath and then she came in to get us. We had baths both in the morning and at night at Gran's but I wondered if my elder brother had had one early or he had got away with a wash downstairs this time? This time when Mum came in to supervise the toothbrushing she gave me a look when she handed the brush to me which meant “Don't you dare say a word!"

Getting Dressed

Then it was back to the bedroom where Mum had put out our clothes for the day. At Easter or even Summer this could lead to her and Gran arguing while we just stoodn there waiting for the final decision but seeing as it was Winter they more or less agreed on our clothes – long socks (in Summer Mum might have picked out short ones to Gran's disapproval), Winter underwear approved by Gran (in Summer she might have wanted us to wear a vest no matter how hot!) shirts, school shorts and jumpers. We dressed quite smartly all of the time in Leeds as Mum brought our better clothes but we didn't wear ties all of the time or anything. My elder brother was already up and dressed too. Although he dressed himself Mum still put out the clothes he was to wear next to his new bed the night before and he was wearing his Scout trousers with a shirt and jumper. Christmas Eve

Breakfast

We had breakfast sitting in the kitchen (bacon sandwiches normally) and then I hoped to go out.

The Morning

I knew some of the boys around the area and sometimes talked to them. There was also a man who had been in the merchant navy who kept chickens in his back yard which was interesting and he told all sorts of stories about his travels. Gran said he was a bit “gone in the head” but my Grandfather said that he was fine just a bit lonely and the street looked after him. He used to give me a newly-laid egg sometimes for my breakfast and I carefully carried it back to Gran's and made sure that it didn't get mixed up with the shop-bought ones Gran had. Anyhow I asked if I could go and see him but Gran said he had gone away and Mum said she didn't want me going out anyhow. I sensed there was something wrong and I don't think that he had died but had gone away to a home so that was that – just another change that I noticed that Christmas. My elder brother was allowed to go with my Grandfather down to his workshed and do something but I had to stay in and read while Mum and Gran chatted and got ready for Christmas. I though it best to keep quiet while I was out of trouble.

Afternoon

After lunch I was allowed out into the garden but it was frosty still and I nearly slipped so I came back in. It eas a bit of a boring day, but I managed to stay out of trouble.

Bedtime

Me and my little brother went to bed early again that night as we always did on Christmas Eve “to make Christmas Day come quicker” as Gran used to say but this time my elder brother was staying up again I was sure.

Bill