The Twelve Posts of Christmas: Day Six. Working For the Man.

My first job, other than doing errands and helping out at home for pocket money, was a paper round.

I remember the cold dark nights and early Sunday mornings, out in all weather delivering to even darker places. The bag of papers could weigh a ton. I've no idea how I managed to stay on the bike.

Then during my final school year, I got a real job at a working men's club. Just like this one.

My job? I can't remember the job title, but it was working as a glass washer and general dogsbody in the main concert hall bar. I mostly worked weekends when it was really busy and a little rowdy at times. I must have been earning at least 70 new pence an hour. I'd never had so much money.

It paid more than the paper round.

At the end of each weekend shift, I even got a payslip similar to this one. I was too young to pay tax, but I doubt I was earning enough anyway.

Which meant I could do more than just look at things in my local toy shop, although by then I was a little too old for toys

In reality, I was never a big spender, but it did help me buy one of these.

 

The TV was black and white, had a very small screen, and had an indoor aerial that was not always reliable. 

I think I bought it from Comet.

Thanks for reading!