‘Do they give you much trouble?’

‘They would if they had the guts. Best part of them never went in the Army, you know. Work of national importance, that was what they were on. Eight quid a week, plus overtime. And then they had the bloody nerve to kick up when I was given a council house. War service didn’t count, being in the Force didn’t count – all that counted was that the wife and I didn’t have half a dozen dirty-faced kids hanging round us. Do you know – one Labour Councillor wanted to get us turned out?’

Bates said: ‘I suppose they will be pretty solidly Labour round here.’

‘I tell you – as far as they’re concerned, Attlee carries a flashlight under his shirt tails. That’s apart from the ones who worship Nye Bevan. They’re all waiting till Labour gets back again; then they’ll knock each other’s teeth out and queue up for free dentures.’

Bates laughed. ‘Nothing we can do about it. Times have changed.’

‘They have, by God! When I think of what it used to be like … Do you know – they’ve got four different clubs – working men’s clubs, they call them – between here and Long Lane. After they’ve done damn all at your place all day, they spend the evening drinking cut-price beer, and telling each other how good it’s going to be when Clem’s back in Downing Street. I patrol past them night after night, and it’s as much as I can do to stop myself from spewing sometimes. I tell you, they turn my stomach.’

‘I can imagine that it’s not too pleasant for you. Why don’t you ask for a transfer?’

‘Nay!’ Sid said. ‘Why should I go? I was born here in Holly Ash.