We were awakened by the creak of the door. Sister and I shared a single bed. Despite an occasional backache we did not mind. It was quite handy as in winter we would keep ourselves warm and, if my back was itchy she would even scratch it for me. Surely, I'd have to return the favour by doing the same. In fact, this often happened because the bedbugs were eating us alive. The door was opened by Magdalene, the landlady. She was in everyday to enquire about the rent, which we couldn't afford. Like any good mercenary, she would spend hours lecturing how she needed the money urgently and threatening us with eviction.

Our full pay check was given to her and that would instantly put a grin onto her face. A grin that was quickly suppressed by a sense of disdain. She would also try to fob us with promises about how she would get rid of the bedbugs. She obviously never did, as it was not the bedbugs she wanted to get rid of, but of us. However, her ripostes would leave us feeling quite ambivalent towards her. No longer after Magdalene left, we heard a whistle from downstairs."Get ready, girls. I am here." - That was Joe. He was a really nice guy. Tall and slightly fat, green eyes. He had a crush on my sister but, she only wanted to be friends. He was okay with friendship and would take us out for dinner almost every night. That was nice. That way I kept the little money I had for the gaming centre.

We walked the cold streets talking about his friend. One of Joe's idiosyncrasies was talking about his friend Mark. I did not talk much, I never did. I’d just look around me and, let my mind drift to nonsense. Joe would always order a coke with lime and ice for me -every time - I liked that. We’d eat and talk more about his friend. After dinner, we saw Carol coming into our direction with a big grin on her face. " Guys, there is a TV in the rubbish just next corner.” She nodded to my sister suggesting this was an amazing opportunity,that shouldn't be missed. Joe had to leave to meet his friend Mark. So, the three of us walked down the streets being target of male glances. The TV did not look as great as Carol had mentioned but we picked it up anyway.

The three of us carrying an old TV down the dirty pavements of that cold street. I watched sister and Carol awkwardly laughing in order to disguise a weird sensation of embarrassment, whilst my tiny hands dishonestly pretended to help them out. Carol watched The Blob with us that night, ceaselessly scratching her arms during the whole film.