It was a lovely sunny day, clear sky with light fluffy clouds. Dad, once again, was working 'away' and mom was managing the household and keeping an eye on my older brother, Raymond and me. She was 'great with child' expecting their third child in four years and while all was well, I expect the daily grind was playing on her nerves for she stated to no one in particular - I need a smoke!

This was post war England and during the war, smoking tobacco had caught on in a big way, a vice that had always been particular to men was now readily enjoyed  by the fairer sex as well. The sinister warnings about the end result of such a habit were way into the future. Smoking was not only considered an antidote for ragged nerves, it was generally purported to be glamourous!

On this particular day I suspect it was the ragged nerves that elicited the - 'I need a smoke' comment from mom. And of course, with two small children to dress and walk to the shop as well as a swollen belly to contend with, the dilemma was real.

Raymond was four years old and attending school on a regular basis thus he exhibited a certain degree of independence. Mom took him aside. She gave him a note. She gave him some money. She gave him strict instructions. She took him outside the house on his tricycle and sent him down the path towards the corner shop...and then she waited.

...and waited, and waited...I stood with her at the end of our front yard peering up the street watching for my brother to return. She paced and constantly murmured under her breath; I could not understand the words but did appreciate the gravity of the moment and how concerned she was with every pacing moment. Understanding now the desperation of an addiction and the lengths people will go to satisfy the craving and understanding now the concern of a parent about a child out of sight, I can appreciate how she must have been remonstrating herself for her decision to send Raymond out into the world, alone, to satisfy her habit.

And then we saw him! Skinny little legs pumping furiously on the pedals of his tricycle, the tiny little figure came around the corner and started for home. The tricycle was swerving from side to side as Raymond attempted to steer it with one hand. His face was averted, his eyes focused upward and behind him - focused indeed on the brand new, colourful kite he had just purchased and was attempting to keep flying in the air!

'You little devil! You little devil!' mom repeated in a voice strangled with tears of thanksgiving at the sight of her child; kneeling in front of him she hugged and scolded at the same time. For the moment relief replaced the urge for a smoke - and a good thing too for Raymond, upon entering the shop and spying the brightly coloured kite, forgot the note and the cigarettes and purchased his new toy without a second thought!

And this was the Raymond we all knew and loved. Tiny yet fearless, mischevious, fun loving, intelligent, independent  and of course, noncompliant at times. The full package.