Joe eyes followed his mother upstairs and his brow knit together in that universal state that seemed to question "What are ye doing?"  It was only when the first item of his clothes hit the street below with a soft thud did he realise.

"Mam! Have ye gone mad?" Joe shouted and rushed out into Osway Street. He began to hurriedly gather his things to keep this episode quiet.  That ship had not only sailed, but also sunk.  Joe saw more than one lace curtain flutter, but the more brazen of the neighbours were standing on their steps enjoying the show.