The kind of Scots we used was messy; it was going into all sorts of odd lexical corners and stirring these up with four-letter words. It was a kind of sharawaggi, an absolute mixture. This didn't go down well.

Well, remember, I insist on the terms of our agreement; and, by the bye, I believe I shall have occasion to try your obedience this very evening.

Big fair wan lovely pale-freckled Kathleen with that buoyant bust gave kindly smiles but mostly she was silent.

My enthusiasm wasn't exactly suppressed - my father had worked for British Rail's property department, and one of my earliest memories was walking around the forlorn buildings at Old Oak Common depot wearing his oversized BR hard hat.