Lottie and the kids were still out and Bill was making the best of a free afternoon by snoring in a chair. He snorted when there was a knock, looked around, and got up with a yawn.

The light seemed rather too bright when he opened the door and looked at the stranger sleepily. But the name woke him up.

"John's out on a few errands, sir, but I expect 'im 'ome any minute. Would you like to come in and wait? Oh, Bill Blacke, by the way, John's father. I owe ye one for lookin' out for me lad."