When I go to the pub where the latter group still hangs out, I am introduced to those who do not know me as, "this is How, he used to look after us when we were little". It provokes some strange images in my head. The thought of anybody "looking after" these worldly wise hard men is virtually impossible to contemplate.
Moreover, I find it hard to remember ever actively intending to "look after" any of them, but it is surprising what they recall in terms of my having done so.
Mal is no longer part of that group but he, like others among the boys, holds to the same perspective about my role in their lives when they were young. Mal has held down regular employment all his adult life, is a homeowner and has two teenage daughters who are doing reasonably well at school.
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