“I gotta go up to town,” I said. “It’s about these articles. I gotta talk things over with the editor.”

She said, “May I come with you? I mean, may I come up and look at the shops while you’re busy?”

I shook my head. “Not just yet, honey. I want you to keep out of sight for a little while. I’ll be right back.”

She said, “I’ll have a nice supper for you.” I could see she didn’t like being left, but she wasn’t going to make things awkward. I put my arm round her. “Can I bring you anything back?” I said.

She shook her head. “We’ve got to save our money.”

I laughed. “It ain’t so bad as all that.”

“Isn’t… not ain’t.”

“You’re the teacher.”

She looked at me anxiously. “I don’t nag you, do I?”

I grinned. “Sure you do… all day an’ most of the night.”