Malcolm Robinson looked sadly at his giant cousin and Big Dave nodded back knowingly. School would be different for them for the next academic year until Malcolm moved up to the big school. However, as their two families always went on holiday together each summer, a week at Butlins in Skegness beckoned and thoughts of schooldays to come were quickly forgotten.

At morning break Lily was on duty and was surprised to see David Robinson talking to Winnie Pickles, watched by a bewildered Malcolm. Big Dave always prided himself on never talking to girls, but today was clearly different.

‘So are you looking forward to secondary school?’ asked Lily.

‘Yes, Miss,’ said Winnie. ‘We’ll learn ’ow t’cook wi’ proper ovens.’

‘An’ ah’ll probably do an apprenticeship when ah’m fifteen or sixteen,’ said Dave confidently.

‘Well, good to see you are discussing it,’ said Lily.

‘Yes Miss,’ said Winnie, ‘an’ we were jus’ talkin’ about t’white lines.’

‘White lines?’

‘Yes, Miss,’ said Dave. ‘They ’ave t’biggest playground you’ve ever seen, but right down t’middle they ’ave two parallel white lines about ten yards apart painted on t’tarmac.’

Lily was pleased with the word ‘parallel’.

‘T’keep boys an’ girls sep’rate, Miss,’ explained Winnie.

‘I see,’ said Lily. ‘And does it work?’

Dave grinned. ‘We don’t like bein’ told y’can’t talk t’girls. Seems a daft rule – so we’re practisin’.’

‘Practising?’

‘Yes, Miss,’ said Winnie. ‘Jus’ in case we ’ave something t’say to each other when we get there.’

‘Ah’ve never really bothered before,’ said Dave.

‘Why is that?’ asked Lily.

Dave pondered this for a while. ‘Well girls are … different.’

‘Very true,’ said Lily. She smiled at Winnie. ‘We are.’

With that they both stood up, walked to the school field, sat ten yards apart and tried to conduct a conversation. Little Malcolm, puzzled at his cousin’s strange behaviour, wandered off to the playground to read Reggie Bamforth’s comic.

The familiar face of Anne Watson suddenly appeared on the other side of the school wall and she waved to Lily.

Lily went over to meet her. ‘Hello, Anne, how are the wedding plans going?’

‘Fine, thanks. It all seems to be happening so fast now.’ She leaned over the wall and spoke in a conspiratorial whisper. ‘And I’m definitely applying for the teaching post here.’

‘That’s excellent news!’ said Lily. ‘Good luck.’

‘My other half is not pleased, but I persuaded him it was for the best, as we would have two incomes. That seemed to swing it, particularly as he was on about buying a state-of-the-art workbench and lots of tools. I’ve noticed he’s started reading DIY magazines and has plans to transform our new home with cupboards and shelves.’

‘Sounds as if it’s working out for you,’ said Lily.