Meself, although they both came from working class backgrounds, Brendans was considerably more comfortable. Dicky would never have been read the classics by his parents. The education Brendan received could never have been enjoyed by Dicky as his family were very poor. Whilst Brendan was serving time for his political views, Dicky was in Scotland working as a coalminer. They just wouldn't have moved in the same circles. Grandad was not exactly a Bohemian, and in fact had no time for such things as he lived in the real world where children had to be fed when possible. Brendan used those same bohemians to gain a few bob for a pint when it suited him. Otherwise he always preferred the company of people who lived on the edge of society. Dicky would tell of some of the other characters who inhabited the streets, that he and Brendan would often encounter. Johnny Forty Coats and Bang Bang spring most readily to mind, because they were very eccentric. Bang Bang would creep up behind people and pretend to shoot them, whilst Forty Coats would as the name suggests, wear loads of coats, even in the height of summer. Basically they were very different people who hit it off because they were also very similar in outlook, if not exactly in background. Their escapades in Liverpool are quite funny, but I would have to get the full story from my mam...Anyway, I hope that partially answers your query.