45

"Gloves always come in pairs"

"But… Michael Jackson only wore one!" Imp argued as he searched in vain for its mate.

"But that's Michael Jackson. He was a one of a kind, his signature thing was the glove. You can't copy a signature. It's called forgery" Ton said knowingly.

"If it's only one is it a pant?" Imp paused to wonder, "You know … like only one leg or something? Like … only one of the Finger Pants?"

"Gloves. They are gloves and there can be a single glove…. If you are Michael Jackson!" Ton said sternly "Do not yank my necklace on this one!"

"OK old man, don't get your trousers in a tango!" Imp laughed "You are sooo snappy today."

Ton looked at himself and shrugged "Ta, Taddy helped with the shoes."

Imp realised that Ton had misunderstood the term and laughed happily, knowing it was probably the right way to take it anyway "Tadda always helps with shoes. He has so many."

"I like the shiny silver ones with the open toes … did you know I misunderstood that once? Thought it was opened toads?" Ton laughed, "I was so angry I could have spewed'

"Like …. How many toads would it take to make shoes?" Imp asked and Ton pointed at him.

"Exactly! Thank you. You see my problem? I was so angry. Of course Open Toed means a hole in the end of the shoes so you can see the toes and toenails. Babs does have nice toenails."

"Tadda helps with that too" Imp nodded, "Do you think he would do mine if I asked?"

"Don't see why not, he did Daddy's last night."

"Really?" Imp canted his head "Daddy has painted nails?"

"Purple" Ton smiled, "Taddy was telling him he was purple for passion. A Date night coming up"

"I think it's nice that they still date … at their ages" Imp sniffed, looking at his shirt like he didn't know he was wearing it until now.

Yeah. I don't know it I want to date when I'm old. I mean … so much work. I think I will just be happy to have Taddy give me cuddles" Ton agreed and both boys wandered into the back yard where sad Taddy was on his knees weeding.

"Tadda? Is one leg of pants called a pant?"

"Pants, comes from Pantaloons, the proper term for pants. Yes, a single leg only is called a pant, but only since the 1930s when women started wearing body suits with just one leg to look different." Ianto said as he continued to weed.

"Well. You learn something every day" Ton said softly.

"So. A Finger Pant then!" Imp said as he looked at his glove and Ton rolled his eyes in a fair imitation of their Tad.

This argument would rage for some time.