10

A drunk came into the shop one night just before we were going to close. He was a big, beery-looking man of about fifty with a grubby collar and a tie that had got pushed to the side. He leaned on the counter, his eyes watery, and said to my father, ‘Hey, is it right?’

My father turned from the fish pan. ‘Is what right?’

‘Is it right that your lad there has to sit down to let go of his maiden’s water?’