Further to Tom’s fond memories of bodies in baths at Lisson Grove, there was one such washing when all of us decided to get in. The bath there was a huge enamelled vessel, which sat on clawed legs, I seem to recall. It certainly had a large curly lip. We soaped that lip up well one night and took it in turns to slide over the slippery edge and into the waiting water. Splash!! Every time a body hurtled in, there was a tsunami of soapy water that hurled over the edge (and had to be replaced). What fun! Water sloshed everywhere, soaking into the towels and clothes strewn over the floor, and out under the door into the adjacent dining room. Squeals and giggles alerted the ever-patient Mumbo who looked unusually cross when she saw what was happening. Off came her rubber thong which started connecting with bare, wet bums with a fury. This, of course, did not prompt the required response (tears and abject apologies) but rather giggles and guffaws. Like a chemical reaction, such insubordination in turn provoked more fury and more thong paddles. I can still remember seeing Sam’s little bum cheeks, bright red with too much paddling, dancing around the bathroom. I think the whole episode reduced poor Mum to tears. But what fun we had!
