It was almost midnight. Kevin was sitting on his bed and Oscar was sitting opposite him. Both were dressed in men's pyjamas, but neither seemed ready to go to sleep.

'So I dived through this hole in the web – well, it wasn't really a web, it was made of rope – and I didn't touch the sides!' Kevin said animatedly. 'I earned my team twenty points and we won the assault course competition!'

'Wow, that's amazing, dude,' said Oscar, sounding impressed.

'And I was the only one in my team who didn't jump too early on the platform leap,' Kevin continued. 'None of them listened to the instructor and they jumped without detaching the orange rope – one guy got stuck halfway down the tree and they had to bring a truck with a ladder on the back to save him.'

'That's priceless, bro,' said Oscar. 'So you were the only one who detached your orange rope, huh?'

'Yeah,' said Kevin. 'Of course it wasn't easy, because the orange rope was pretty much the same colour as the red rope, which we had to leave on for the jump. But I got the right one and instead of looking down I looked straight ahead, then I jumped off and I went whomp and it was like boom, baby!'

'Wow,' said Oscar, 'I hope I get to do something like that next year, when I start junior high.'

'I bet you will,' Kevin grinned. 'You'll have all kinds of fantastic new experiences, just like me!'

'So you're enjoying your new school, then?'

'Yeah, it's okay. I mean, I'm used to it now. At first I hated it and I never wanted to go back, but now it's just part of my life, really.'

'What didn't you like about it?' Oscar asked.

'Well, for one thing, the lunch queue used to pee me off,' said Kevin.

'Oh yeah?' Oscar laughed.

'Yeah,' said Kevin. 'They always let the teachers and the older kids push in, and if groups are coming back from a field trip – you know, like to the museum or something – they get to push in as well, so sometimes I was standing there for like forty minutes waiting to get into the cafeteria, and one time when I got in – I think this was my first day, actually – all that was left was a few soggy French fries and a couple of nasty-looking baked potatoes! I didn't enjoy my lunch that day.'

'Bummer, dude,' Oscar remarked. 'Is that still peeing you off or did the situation improve?'

'Neither – I started bringing my own lunch after about a week.'

'Good decision. What else were you peed off about?'

'The changing room!' Kevin declared with feeling.

'What's wrong with it?' said Oscar. 'Too small? Too smelly?'

'No, it's more than big enough and it doesn't smell too bad, but I was horrified to find out that they expected us to take off all our clothes and get in the showers together after every gym lesson!'

'What, completely naked?'

'Yeah.'

'Wow, I didn't realise they made you do that at junior high,' Oscar marvelled. 'And it made you feel uncomfortable?'

'Yes,' said Kevin, 'very!'

'Did you do it?'

'No, I just didn't take a shower and hoped no one would notice. I sat there and I decided, I won't have people looking at my naked body and that's that!'

'I have to admit, that surprises me a little,' said Oscar. 'I mean, when we... you and me, I mean... first spent the night here in your room together, in the end you were very... forthcoming.'

'Only after you'd encouraged me to loosen up a bit,' said Kevin. 'And the way I see it, there's a big difference between being physically at ease with a close friend and strutting around naked in front of a bunch of guys you barely even know. I mean... well, I'm not prepared to let just anyone get a look at mi pito, y'know?'

'That's good to hear,' Oscar laughed. 'So are you still not taking showers and hoping no one will notice?'

'No, I am taking showers now, but I've come up with a great trick,' Kevin said proudly. 'I keep my gym shorts on and wrap a towel around my waist, then I go into the shower and take the towel off when the teacher can't see me.'

'What if he comes in to check that everyone's really naked?' Oscar giggled.

'Then I'll have him arrested,' said Kevin. 'A bunch of the guys use that gym shorts trick – I'm not sure who thought of it first, but it's possible I've started a trend. Anyway, it's a good solution.'

'Anything else you were peed off about?'

'Some spaz named Chris Smith stole my football socks the second week we were there,' Kevin said ruefully, 'but it was an accident and he gave them back to me before I even noticed they'd gone missing, so I guess that was okay.'

'You made any friends?'

'Yeah, a couple. They're called Jandro and Lucy.'

'Oh, a girl-friend,' Oscar said solemnly.

'Yes,' said Kevin. 'A girl who is a friend.'

'Very interesting,' said Oscar, grinning broadly. 'Are you gonna let her get a look at your pito?'

Kevin bunched his fists and hurled himself at Oscar, who screamed and giggled and fell over backwards on the bed.

In the next room, Carl heard the sounds of laughing, tumbling and scuffling coming through the wall. He frowned towards the noise.

'I knew they'd be at it sooner or later!' he remarked. 'What ever made us agree to have Oscar to stay the night again?'

'It was your idea to invite him, Carl,' Beth pointed out.

'Maybe it was a mistake,' Carl said.

'How can you say that when Kevin's enjoying himself so much?' said Beth. 'I really think we should be encouraging this friendship as much as possible, and so does Dana.'

'Why?' Carl snarled.

'Because those boys love to be together and it makes them both happy!' said Beth. 'I talked with Dana about this for at least twenty minutes when I called her to pass on your idea. She told me that about a year ago, she was getting really worried about Oscar.'

'In what way, worried?'

'She thought he was becoming moody and withdrawn; she used the word surly at one point. But apparently he's not like that anymore – well, not nearly so much as he used to be – and nothing seems to make him happier than spending time with Kevin!'

'But Kevin was never surly,' said Carl, 'so I still don't understand why you're so happy about the whole thing.'

'Of course Kevin wasn't surly,' Beth sighed, 'but when he's with Oscar he has a definite spark about him – one I haven't ever seen in him before.'

'Yeah,' said Carl, 'that's exactly what worries me!'

'Just stop thinking about it and go to sleep,' Beth sighed. 'I can see I'm not going to make any progress with you tonight.'

Oscar squealed as Kevin jabbed him under the ribs, then Kevin found that his legs were coming out from under him as Oscar did something quick and precise with his left foot. They fell to the floor in a heap together and lay there for several seconds, both breathing heavily.

'I think I'm gonna have a bruise on my left arm,' Kevin said at length.

'Well I'm definitely gonna have at least one bruise in the vicinity of my ribs,' said Oscar.

'That was fun,' Kevin grinned, sitting up slightly.

'I wish we could do it all night,' Oscar grinned back, 'but we'd probably keep your parents awake.'

'Yeah,' said Kevin, 'we really don't want them coming in here.'

'So, do you want to go to sleep now,' said Oscar, 'or do you still have that magazine?'

'Maybe I do and maybe I don't,' Kevin grinned. 'You want me to still have it?'

'Yeah, I do.'

'In that case, yeah, I still have it!'

About nine hours later, Kevin and Oscar were locked in arm-wrestling combat across the end of Kevin's computer desk, both pushing hard against each other and making very little progress.

'You've been lifting weights or something!' Kevin said accusingly.

'Got it in one, dude,' Oscar grinned. 'I took the handheld dumbbells from my mom's home fitness kit – she never uses it anymore – and I've been pumping them for ten minutes every night.'

'When did you start doing that?'

'When your mom called to ask my mom if I wanted to come stay the night one weekend in the near future. So, about a month.'

'Are they pink?' said Kevin. 'These dumbbells – are they pink?'

'Yeah they're pink, but they do the job just fine!' said Oscar. 'And don't think you can distract me so I'll let my guard down.'

'I have to admit, I'm impressed,' said Kevin. 'You're much better, but still... not... good... enough!'

Going very red in the face, Kevin slammed Oscar's arm down onto the desk, causing the structure to strain at its self-assembly joints and sway alarmingly.

'Damn,' Oscar laughed, shaking out his smarting arm. 'I was sure I had you that time!'

'I'm gonna have to find some dumbbells myself at this rate,' said Kevin. 'Maybe not pink ones, though.'

Kevin was suddenly overtaken by an enormous yawn, which made Oscar yawn too.

'I guess we shouldn't have stayed up so late,' said Kevin.

'We were right to make the most of our time together, dude,' said Oscar. 'My mom'll show up pretty soon.'

'Bummer, man,' Kevin remarked.

'Before she does, I want to give you something,' Oscar announced. 'It's like, an early Christmas present.'

'Oh, really?' said Kevin.

'Yes, really,' said Oscar, as he went to his overnight bag and started rooting around inside. 'It's something I made for you. Actually I should've made it about nine months ago, just after you came up to stay with me, but anyway I've done it now.'

Oscar produced a cassette tape from the depths of his bag and handed it to Kevin.

'It spent the night nestling in yesterday's underpants,' said Oscar. 'Sorry.'

Kevin looked at the homemade inlay sleeve, then he turned the tape over and read the track list on the back.

'It's amazing what you can achieve with Microsoft Publisher, isn't it?' Oscar grinned. 'You see what I've done, don't you? It's got the original version of the song followed by the recording we made together – they all sound fantastic!'

Kevin nodded, but still did not speak.

'You definitely sound younger on there than you do now – I guess nine months can make a huge difference when your voice is starting to change,' said Oscar. 'I think we'd better record some more before you lose it completely!'

'This is... this is really nice, man,' said Kevin. 'You've gone to so much effort, splicing this all together for me.'

'Oh, don't be silly,' said Oscar.

'It's the most thoughtful present I've ever gotten,' said Kevin, looking up from the cassette case at last and fixing Oscar with a smile. 'Thanks – thanks a lot!'

'Stop it,' Oscar laughed. 'It's just a tape.'

'Wait a sec,' said Kevin. 'I got you something too.'

Oscar watched as Kevin opened his closet, dived into it and began to rummage through a pile of folded clothes. After several seconds of searching, he withdrew a black T-shirt and held it up to his chest. Oscar smiled as he saw the cartoon figure of a martial arts character in a white robe, executing a kick under the emblazoned words Karate Master.

'I saw this in the souvenir store at Little Canada and I couldn't help but think of you,' said Kevin. 'I bought it straightaway but at first I was thinking I couldn't possibly give it to you, then in the end I decided I could, so here it is.'

'It's sweet, dude,' said Oscar. 'I'm gonna incorporate it into my men's pyjamas tonight.'

'I held it up to myself in the store to check it was big enough 'cause I figured we're just about the same size,' Kevin explained. 'Well, except for the arms of course – you'll probably find the sleeves a little baggy,' he added with a grin.

'Yeah, I guess we are just about the same size,' Oscar grinned back, 'for now. And don't you worry about the sleeves – I'll be busting the seams with my massive arms when we meet next time.'

'When's that gonna be?'

'My mom said you can come and stay for like four or five nights over spring break,' said Oscar, 'if you want.'

'You bet I want!' Kevin grinned.

Carl watched from the front window as Kevin stowed Oscar's bag in the back of Dana's car. He then frowned slightly as he watched the boys embracing in the middle of the street, during which time he glanced at the wall clock more than once. Carl then witnessed Kevin and Oscar punching and slapping and shoving each other for several more seconds, before Oscar got into the car and Kevin returned to the house. Carl moved into the hallway to meet him.

'Did you give him that T-shirt in the end?' asked Carl.

'Um... yes, Dad,' said Kevin, noting that his father was completely blocking his way back into the main body of the house. 'He gave me a gift first, so I felt okay about giving him one.'

'What did he give you?' said Carl.

'A mix tape,' Kevin replied, smiling. 'He made me a mix tape – he was thinking of me, which shows he cares.'

Carl glared at Kevin, who immediately wiped the smile from his face. Carl raised both his hands in the air, palms outwards.

'Punch my hands!' he barked at his son.

'Why?' said Kevin.

'Because I want you to.'

'I don't want to, Dad.'

'Just do it!' Carl snapped. 'Er... please, son. Indulge your old man, hmm?'

Kevin shrugged, balled his right hand into a fist and punched Carl on the right palm.

'Again!' Carl ordered.

Kevin balled his left fist and punched Carl's left palm, a little harder this time.

'Again!' Carl barked. 'Keep going!'

Kevin frowned and continued his assault, alternating between the two upheld hands at a faster and faster rate. Soon his face was set into a determined expression and he was getting into a definite rhythm; Carl's arms were flying backwards as Kevin exerted more and more force against them.

'That's enough,' Carl said at last, pulling his arms away and shaking them out. 'That was very good, son – your punches were accurate and powerful, and you used your centre of balance well.'

'Thanks, Dad,' said Kevin. 'Can I go now?'

'Not yet,' said Carl. 'First try to punch me in the face.'

'No,' said Kevin, sounding very uncomfortable.

'Why not?' Carl demanded.

'I don't want to, Dad.'

'I want you to!'

Kevin sighed, balled his right fist again and moved it towards his father's face. Carl moved his right arm up to block the blow, whereupon Kevin's left fist crunched into Carl's stomach. Carl cried out and staggered backwards, just managing to save himself from toppling over.

'What the hell was that?' he wheezed.

'First karate move I ever learned,' Kevin grinned.

'Yes, of course it was,' said Carl. 'You know, son, you're good – very good. I thought you were gonna punch me like a girl, but I was wrong. Maybe you should take up boxing.'

'No, Dad, I don't want to get brain damage.'

'How about street fighting, then? In a controlled environment, obviously.'

'I don't like fighting, Dad,' said Kevin.

'But you like fighting with Oscar, don't you?' Carl said triumphantly. 'I've seen the two of you, hammering away at each other!'

'That's play-fighting, Dad,' Kevin explained. 'We have fun doing it because we don't really hurt each other. Well, not much.'

'What's the point of fighting if you're not trying to hurt each other?'

'I don't know – it's just something guys do. I guess it's the way we feel comfortable showing our affection for each other.'

'Affection?'

'Friendship, Dad.'

'But you feel comfortable showing your affection in other ways too,' Carl pointed out. 'You're perfectly happy to stand there for hours and hug him and squeeze him and... God knows what else!'

'I'm just doing what comes naturally to me, Dad,' said Kevin. 'I'm sorry if you don't like it... and I don't want to talk about this anymore.'

Kevin pushed past his father and ran upstairs; Carl made no move stop him. Beth appeared in the hallway from the direction of the kitchen, and came up to her husband.

'Do you feel better now?' she asked softly.

'I feel... I don't know how I feel!' said Carl.

'Didn't Kevin prove his manliness to you?' Beth pressed.

'Yes... no... I don't know!' said Carl. 'He certainly fights like a man, but... did you see that picture of the Millennium Bug that he drew for art class last week?'

'The Millennium Bug is a crock,' said Beth. 'I don't believe for a moment that anything is going to happen. How can you draw it, anyway?'

'I think the assignment was to design it as, like, an insect,' said Carl. 'You know, like a pun?'

'Oh, I see,' said Beth. 'They really do waste a lot of the students' time and talent at these schools, don't they? Anyway, no, I didn't see the picture.'

'It was pink!' Carl announced. 'Kevin's Millennium Bug was pink!'

'And?'

'And nothing! He drew a pink Millennium Bug, Beth!'

'I really don't see why that's a problem, Carl,' Beth sighed. 'I bet it was a very good picture – Kevin's got plenty of imagination, and he's always been one of those kids whose drawings look as much like what they're supposed to be as anyone could reasonably expect.'

'Yes, but it was pink!' Carl reiterated. 'And he doesn't like fighting, except when he and Oscar are slapping each other around like a couple of little girls! And he's soppy about animals, like that baby turtle he insisted on rescuing! And he listens to the Spice Girls, for Christ's sake!'

'That's all fine with me,' said Beth. 'I don't want him to turn into a teenaged thug, and I'm glad he's got such a big heart, and the Spice Girls have released some very good songs – I'm sure they've got a great future ahead of them, even now that Geri's abandoned them.'

Beth returned to the kitchen, leaving Carl looking utterly perplexed. A few seconds later, Kevin ran back downstairs and bolted out of the front door, causing Carl's expression to progress from perplexity to bemusement.

Eduardo was in his kitchenette, washing up the breakfast things, while Kylie stood and looked out of the window at the street below, where a car was disappearing into the distance.

'There goes Oscar,' Kylie remarked. 'He and Kevin have been getting on really well, haven't they?'

'Yeah, they have,' Eduardo replied.

'I hope they're grateful to you for suggesting they get together in the first place,' said Kylie.

'I don't know if they've really thought about it like that,' said Eduardo. 'I'm just glad they're getting on so well. Kevin told me he's never had a friend he feels so comfortable talking to – y'know, about his feelings and stuff?'

'They talk about their feelings?' said Kylie, turning away from the window. 'I didn't think boys did that.'

'Some of them do,' Eduardo shrugged.

'Just not you, huh?' Kylie said teasingly.

Eduardo turned his head away from the sink and gave Kylie a look. She giggled.

'I'm sure Kevin's got a whole load of complicated feelings about life in our family – in fact I know he has,' said Eduardo. 'He's told me about some of them, of course, but I know there's stuff he wouldn't feel comfortable talking to me about and... well, it's good that he's found someone he wants to open up to.'

'Are you wishing you'd been able to open up about yourself sooner than you did?'

'I don't got room in my head to waste time thinking stuff like that – I'm just thinking about the here and now... and right now, you're here... and I'm here... and that makes me happy.'

Eduardo received an enormous smile from Kylie in response to this remark, before she pulled herself up to sit on the kitchen surface beside the draining board.

'Haven't you finished those dishes yet?' she asked coquettishly.

'Almost,' said Eduardo. 'I only just wiped down that counter, by the way.'

'Are you saying I'm putting my cooties all over it?'

'No, I'm saying you'll probably get water seeping through your underwear any second now.'

'Oh,' said Kylie, suddenly looking slightly uncomfortable. 'Oh, yeah, you're right. Never mind – I've been feeling the urge to take it off for a little while now.'

Eduardo grinned, drained his washing up water, dried his hands and came over to kiss Kylie. Just as he was encircling her waist with his hands, there came a knock at the front door.

'Uncle Eduardo,' a familiar voice called through the door, 'it's me!'

'Sorry,' Eduardo smiled sheepishly, 'I guess we'll have to cut this short.'

'Oh well,' said Kylie, 'I should really have left by now anyway – I've got a term paper due tomorrow and I promised myself I'd be in the library by ten.'

Eduardo went over to the front door and let Kevin into the apartment. Kevin hesitated in the doorway when he saw that Kylie was sitting on the kitchen counter in her underclothes.

'Oh, I'm sorry,' Kevin said, frowning slightly. 'I didn't realise you two were... busy.'

'That's okay, Kev,' Kylie smiled at him, sliding back down to the floor. 'I need to be making tracks. Sweetie, you won't forget to come pick me up at six this evening, will you?'

'I'll be there,' said Eduardo.

'What are you up to at six this evening?' said Kevin.

'Egon and Janine are throwing a party for their first wedding anniversary,' said Kylie.

'Hey, I've just realised,' said Eduardo, 'that means it's our anniversary too!'

'Wow, so it is,' said Kylie. 'Jeez, doesn't time just fly as you get older... and when you're enjoying yourself.'

With that she disappeared into the bathroom, stooping to pick up her clothes from the living room floor on the way. Kevin gave the closed bathroom door a look, which did not go unnoticed by Eduardo.

'I guess that means it's you and Oscar's anniversary as well, man,' Eduardo said, clapping his nephew on the shoulder.

'What do you mean by that?' Kevin asked sharply.

'I mean it's a year since you became friends,' said Eduardo, rather taken aback by Kevin's response to his remark. 'Why, what did you think I meant?'

'Oh, I don't know,' Kevin sighed, sinking down onto the sofa. 'It's just that my dad's been getting at me and... well, I'm sorry.'

'You don't need to be sorry, Kev,' said Eduardo, sitting down next to him. 'When you're in my place, you can feel free to say whatever you want... and not say whatever you don't want.'

'Thanks,' said Kevin. 'Did you know my dad thinks I'm a sissy?'

'What the hell?' Eduardo almost laughed. 'He can't really think that, man!'

'He does,' said Kevin, 'I know he does! He got me to punch him to prove I'm a man, and I didn't want to do it but I did it anyway and I think he was impressed... but he doesn't like it when I hug Oscar.'

'Do you like it when you hug Oscar?' Eduardo asked.

Kevin nodded, and sniffed a little.

'Then you mustn't let your dad and his unreasonable aversion to physical displays of affection stop you,' Eduardo advised. 'Carlos has never liked hugging – I don't think I ever even saw him hug either of our parents! But you're different, man, and you should do what feels right for you.'

'Thanks,' said Kevin. 'That's what I figured, so I'm glad at least someone agrees with me.'

'You really like Oscar, don't you?' said Eduardo.

'Yeah, I do,' said Kevin, suddenly adopting a smile. 'I'm not gonna let my dad spoil our friendship but... well, I just wish he wouldn't always be so... so...'

The bathroom door opened at that point and Kylie came back into the room, fully dressed this time. Kevin stopped talking and looked at the floor.

'I'll be off, then,' said Kylie. 'By the way, Eduardo, we need to talk about Christmas this evening.'

'We do?' said Eduardo.

'Yeah, we do,' said Kylie. 'I don't know where I'm going to spend it. My dad's kinda assuming I've accepted his vague invitation to come to him, and you can come too if you want, but I'm thinking I might blow him off – you wouldn't believe the things he wants me to do with him!'

'What things?'

'Oh, going to lunch with his stupid friends and stuff like that!'

'But are you sure you want to blow him off?' said Eduardo. 'He might be really hurt, and I know you don't want that.'

'We'll talk about it later,' said Kylie, heading for the front door. 'See you at six. Bye, Kevin.'

Kylie left the apartment and the door closed behind her. Eduardo turned his attention back to his nephew.

'So, you were saying,' he prompted, 'about your dad?'

'I don't want to talk about him anymore,' said Kevin. 'I really came to get your help with something else. You may have noticed that I've been clutching this stapled booklet of A5 paper since I arrived.'

'Yeah, I did notice that,' Eduardo was forced to admit.

'It's the Christmas play my class is putting on,' Kevin explained. 'A Christmas Carol. I need you to help me practise for it.'

'Sure thing, man,' said Eduardo. 'Let me take a look at it.'

Kevin handed over the booklet and Eduardo started leafing through it.

'It's shorter than I expected,' Eduardo remarked. 'It just has scene outlines, not a script.'

'That's right,' said Kevin. 'We're improvising the whole thing – the drama teacher says we'll do a better performance that way because we won't be worrying about saying our lines word-for-word.'

'Doesn't that mean it comes out slightly different every time you perform it?'

'Yeah – every rehearsal is different. But as long as we act out the whole story, that's fine.'

'Seems like a weird way to produce a play,' Eduardo shrugged, 'but whatever. Who are you playing, then?'

'Scrooge,' said Kevin.

'No way!' said Eduardo. 'That's the lead role, right?'

'Yes, Uncle Eduardo.'

'Have you told your parents? I bet they're stoked.'

'Mom seemed happy when I told her,' said Kevin, 'but I haven't told Dad yet – he probably thinks acting is for sissy-boys.'

Eduardo frowned, but made no further comment on the matter. He continued to read the scene outlines.

'You've got a hell of a lot to remember, even if you don't have specific lines,' he remarked.

'I know,' said Kevin. 'When we did the first read-through, the drama teacher said I was the only one who managed to keep track of what was supposed to be happening in the play for more than two scenes at a time, so I kinda had to be Scrooge.'

'Don't you like being Scrooge?'

'I like it okay. I mean, I guess it's kinda fun. But I don't like the scene at the end.'

'Why not?'

Kevin took the booklet back, turned to the final page and pointed to a sentence. Eduardo read it, and nodded in understanding.

'I'm feeling a bit awkward about this final scene with Belle,' said Kevin. 'Okay, so we get back together at the end even though it doesn't happen in the book, but does she really need to come on and kiss me in front of everyone?'

'Do you know who's playing Belle?' said Eduardo.

'Lucy,' said Kevin.

'Oh,' said Eduardo, 'that's the girl you like, right?'

'It's the girl I've made friends with, yeah,' said Kevin. 'I know it's only acting but I can't help not wanting to do that scene with her. I just feel... well, awkward, like I said.'

'How does Lucy feel?'

'I don't know; I haven't talked to her about it and we haven't rehearsed that part yet.'

'You should discuss it with her, man.'

'I'm sure my dad wouldn't approve of me not wanting to get kissed by a girl,' Kevin sighed, not seeming to hear Eduardo's latest remark. 'But it's not even that she's a girl – it's just that she's a friend and it would feel weird.'

'You shouldn't have to do it if you're not comfortable with the idea, man,' said Eduardo. 'I think you should have a talk with Lucy and tell her how you feel – maybe the pair of you can work out an even better ending! The drama teacher can't object, right, as it's all improvised anyway?'

'You don't know what Mr Fearnhead is like!' Kevin said ruefully. 'He's a frustrated wannabe Broadway director! Obviously he can't be bothered to sit down and write an actual script, but he hits the roof if anyone tries to mess with his scene outlines.'

'Just tell him you'll do the kiss for the final performance, and throw in your new ending at the last minute,' Eduardo advised. 'He won't be able to do anything about it then, will he?'

'I guess not,' said Kevin, smiling slightly. 'I'll talk to Lucy about it. Thanks, Uncle Eduardo. Okay, now can you help me with the scene in the office on Christmas Eve, up to the part where Scrooge goes home? I need you to be Bob Cratchit, Scrooge's nephew Fred and the two charity collectors.'

'Er, okay,' said Eduardo. 'But how am I supposed to know what to say?'

'You keep the scene outline in front of you and improvise the dialogue,' said Kevin, 'and I'll see if I can remember what I'm supposed to say without the booklet to help me.'

'Okay,' Eduardo said again.

'You start,' said Kevin. 'Tell me you want the whole day off tomorrow and see how I reply.'

'Um... look, Mr Scrooge, it's nearly time to close the office,' Eduardo said uncertainly. 'You know it's Christmas Day tomorrow, yeah? Would it be all right if I could take the day off and spend it with my family?'

Kevin burst out laughing and smacked Eduardo on the arm.

'You suck at acting, Uncle Eduardo!' he remarked.

'Thanks,' said Eduardo.