There are 158 footsteps between the bus stop and home, but it can stretch to 180 if you aren't in a hurry, like maybe if you're wearing platform shoes. Or if you want to avoid the man who sits outside the newsagent and always seems to have a can of lager in his hand even though it's 7:30 in the morning.

I turned the corner into our street (68 steps), and could see the house from here. Dad was probably up, having his cup of tea and listening to the radio. Mum would be getting Granddad's breakfast ready and checking that his medication was laid out on the little table by his chair.

I was twenty-six years old and I still lived at home. It wasn't really a choice - we needed every penny coming in, and my wages from the café barely covered my own expenses, let alone rent for a place of my own.