Fergie and Reg grab the last books

Fergie Cox holding the last copy of We Did Our Homework On The Bus

Reg and Fergie? Fergie and Reg? What way sounds best? I’m inclined towards the latter. Anyway, the reason I’m grappling with this crucial problem is to begin a short article to recount who got the very last two copies of ‘We Did Our Homework on the Bus.’

It was John Arundel (St Mary’s 1972 to 1979) who wisely advised me to print more copies than I had initially intended. I was dubious but John was right. He invariably is.

The majority of books were sold as part of the launch day ‘package.’ (apologies for the awful sales term – I just couldn’t think of another way to describe it).

That left me with another 100 or so books which quickly began to reduce as orders came in from all over the world.

Suddenly I only had 50 left, then 20, then 10.

Before I knew it, I was down to my last two.

Then came in an order from St Mary’s old boy Reg Morrell, who started when the school still had college status and on its original Main Road site – 1953 to be precise.

Reg gamefully responded to my request for a picture of himself with a copy.

Reg Morrell with one of the two last copies of the book

I did wonder who would nab the final copy. Soon enough an order arrived and it was from someone I knew well. None other than Frances ‘Fergie’ Cox.

‘Fergie’ – maiden name Scally - was part of the cohort of girls who came across from St Joesph’s Convent in 1979 and was one of the delightful young women who helped destroy the educations of those of us easily diverted.

She too willingly obliged with a photo of herself holding the book

I think Reg and Fergie are both looking great and I thank them for their pictures.

Actually, now I’m finishing this piece I’m leaning back towards Reg and Fergie. It has something of the ‘Prince and The Pauper’ feel about it – with some artistic licence ‘Princess and the Pauper. Maybe a member of the landed gentry with her trusted old gardener. Who knows?

Anyway, that’s it. All gone. A reprint is possible if numbers justify it.