Madge

Wavertree Avenue was one of the happiest places we ever lived and this was the first time I learnt a valuable lesson in personal hygiene. Myself and some other kids had decided to climb into the rugby ground for a game of hide and seek. This was one of many games we used to entertain ourselves with. My favorite was 'Arrows.' This consisted of splitting into two teams, the first team would be given some chalk and with a five minute head start would draw arrows on the floor. The second team would then have one hour to catch you up by following the arrows. I recall on one occasion not having any chalk, so we used a lump of white dog poo instead. Not quite as affective but it did the job. Incidentally what ever happened to white dog poo. You just don't see it anymore. The rugby ground was a great place for such games. We'd been playing for hours and then sat in the spectators seats pretending to be watching a live game. I quite fancied one of the girls in our gang, Joan, and I got the feeling she liked me, but I wasn't experienced with girls at all and I didn't have a clue where to start. It was apparent that Joan was not backward in coming forwards. She suggested we should go for a walk around the back of the 'Cow shed' (An affectionate name given to the home supporters stand) I agreed. I was feeling nervous and was wondering how to initiate the first kiss? I didn't have to, Joan pinned me to the wall and planted her lips squarely onto mine. It lasted for about a minute. When she finally came up for air she just put her chewing gum back in her mouth, looked at me and said;