Good morning everyone, Im Jim one of Tommys cousins I just want to share with you one of the many stories I have about Tommy In our younger years I spent a lot of time with Tommy, in fact for a while we were inseparable Not because we played soccer together, or we went to homework classes No, when we were about 7 / 8 years old we devised a plan to skip school. When our parents were out at work, I spent every Monday to Friday with Tommy in one of our houses. Our plan worked great for about 5 - 6 weeks, however like any great plan it was destined to fail as some point. Yes, we invited Tommys sister Liz to join. This was the start of our downfall. Roughly two days later, when in our own homes after our dinner, Tommy was in the bath and Liz in the kitchen sink getting washed. It just so happened I was also in the kitchen sink in my own house, thats what we done in Scotland around this time. Liz decided to become the whistle blower. She said to her and Tommys mum Mum Ive got something to tell you and youll be really angry. What is it said Mary just tell me Well mum they two have been skipping school for the last 5 - 6 weeks. WHAT! , Yes mum theyve been skipping school and forced me to join them. Mary wasnt angry she was livid. Tommys punishment was immediate as Marys slipper seen to that. Tommy did eventually manage to get out of the bath and into the safe sanctuary of a cupboard. Now, while this was going on, I was in total ignorance happily soaking in my bath in the sink in my own home, which was only a few minutes from Tommys house. My world was just about to change. The next thing I knew there was a knock on the door, then hearing Aunt Mary saying to my mum Elsa, they flaming two have been skipping school for the last 5 - 6 weeks. WHAT Yes they two, my Tommy and your Jim have been skipping school for the last 5 - 6 weeks. Because my father was working late that night, my punishment wasnt immediate it was more of a psychological torture until he got in. In this period however, my mother had second thoughts and decided that if she wanted me to survive and grow into an adult she would tell my father that I had only been off 1 - 2 days only, not 5 - 6 weeks. This worked and I survived, just. And so this little adventure of ours came to an end, both of us back to school the next day. So what did we learn from this: 1 - If youre going to get caught, be like Tommys sister Liz turn whistle blower and save yourself 2 - Again, If youre going to get caught, dont be in a bath or kitchen sink when they find out. There is no easy escape route from a sink or bath. 3 - Make sure you dont get on the receiving end of Tommys mum Mary and her slipper Last but not least I would like to say, and all my cousins would agree with this When you were with Tommy it was an adventure, it was never predictable and never ever boring. When you met up with Tommy you always laughed and would leave feeling so much better. Thank you.