Ant and Dec threw themselves wholeheartedly into their routine.Starting off with a couple of jokes,which barely raised a titter.Undeterred,they launched into a skit they'd come up with which involved a cabbage on a dog lead,this was inevitably just met by a united look of confusion from the audience.

"And now for our grand finale" Dec announced with a hint of sarcasm "enjoy"

They began singing and dancing to the song that had now become more of a hindrance to their lives,rather than anything else.

As they finished,there was a small ripple of applause from the room.

"Tough crowd" Ant whispered.

"Dunno why you're whispering?" Dec asked "I doubt they can hear you"

Ant just laughed "come on Decs,let's get out of here"

They were thanked by the care homes manager,Dennis and offered afternoon tea and scones,which they promptly declined,keen just to leave,knowing they'd have to go through a practically identical situation the next day,just at a different place,they weren't keen to drag it out any longer than necessary.

"Some of the residents would love to have a little chat with you I think" Dennis suggested "I'm sure they all really enjoyed the show"

"Yeah,I could tell" Dec mumbled sarcastically,causing Ant to nudge him sharply in the ribs.

"Er yeah ok" Ant agreed reluctantly.

"What?" Dec asked,unable to hide his annoyance.

"Great" Dennis replied "just come and mingle when you're ready"

"What are you thinking Ant?" Dec snapped "I thought you wanted to get out of here as much as I did?"

"I do" Ant sighed as he packed his cabbage and dog lead neatly into his backpack "but I can't help myself,look at them Dec,look at their sad,lonely faces,just a few kind words from us could make a world of difference to them,we have all the time in the world,they don't"

"Nice way to guilt trip me" Dec sighed.

"Did it work?" Ant grinned while raising one eyebrow.

"I guess it did" Dec Smiled "let's go and chat to them then"

Ant patted Dec on the back as they made their way back into the hall.

Some of the oldest,more frail residents had been taken back to their rooms to rest,so the lads pulled up some chairs next to a couple of the remaining people.

"Hi,I'm Anthony" Ant smiled as he sat down next to an elderly lady.

"You'll have to speak up young man" the lady ordered "can't hear very well" she beckoned him to come closer.

Ant shuffled his chair nearer to hers and leant further in.

"I'm Anthony" he repeated "but everyone calls me Ant"

"Dave?" The lady asked.

"Ant" he said,a bit louder.

"Ben?"

"No not Ben,ANT"

"Carl?"

Ant was now finding this exchange rather amusing,although he was beginning to wish he'd chosen someone else to talk to.

"Ok you can call me Carl" he agreed in a sterner than usual voice "what's your name"

"Nice to meet you Carl" the old lady replied while holding out a bony hand for Ant to shake "my name is Elizabeth"

Ant proceeded to have a rather strained conversation with Elizabeth,Dec on the other hand was having more luck.

He was chatting to an old war veteran called Tom,who Dec guessed was well into his nineties at least,that was soon confirmed when Tom started talking about his time in the trenches during the first world war.

Dec was fascinated by the stories the old man was telling and was amazed that Tom had been around the same age as him when he enlisted,Dec just couldn't imagine having to go through something like that.He soon noticed the shiny medals pinned to Toms smart jacket.

Dec listened fascinated as Tom explained what each one was for,but they were soon interrupted by Ant who had made his excuses to get away from Elizabeth.

"You ready to go Dec?" Ant enquired.

"Er yeah,just a moment" Dec introduced Ant and Tom to each other,they exchanged pleasantries before saying their goodbyes and making their way out to Decs car.

"You looked like you were having an interesting conversation with that old geezer?" Ant asked as they started their journey home.

"Yeah" Dec smiled "Tom,nice guy,he was telling me about when he fought in the war"

Ant laughed loudly "like most old guys his age eh?they all like to tell that story don't they?"

"Yeah,I guess" Dec agreed "how about you?that was an intense exchange you were having by the look of it?"

"Hardly" Ant grinned "she was practically deaf,most of the conversation was just her trying to get my name right,I'm Carl apparently"

Dec found this highly amusing "ok Carl,let's get you home shall we?"

"Shut up" Ant laughed "at least you now know talking to old people wasn't as bad as what you expected eh?well for you anyway"

"Nah,it was ok" Dec smiled "just as well as we've got to do it all again tomorrow"

"Yeah" Ant nodded "I'm gonna choose who I chat to alot more carefully next time,I would have loved to talk to someone like Tom about the war and all that"

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Dec teased.

They spent the next few afternoons doing the same routine at different homes,but they were both glad when it was over.They were still having difficulty understanding what the point to all this was,other than to supposedly entertain these people,but it wasn't like any of them were likely to rush out and buy their records.

Still it gave them something to do and maybe brought a smile to at least a few of the faces.The old folk did seem to enjoy the chatting more than the actual shows though,which didn't surprise Ant and Dec at all.They usually came away from these chats with particularly wet cheeks after several of the female residents insisted on giving them affectionate,slobbery,kisses,usually while telling them how much they reminded them of their Grandsons and even Greatgrandsons in some cases.

Dec found it particularly annoying when these ladies would constantly ruffle his hair,the hair that he'd spent ages getting just right before he left the house.By the fourth show,he didn't even bother with anything more than quickly running a comb through it,knowing it was soon to be messed up anyway.He had also learnt to back off at the exact moment one of the affectionate old gals attempted to pinch his cute,chubby,cheeks,usually an "I'm sorry,I really need to go now" did the trick.

However,he couldn't resist bragging to Ant about his new found fan club "you see Ant" he joked as he pulled up outside Ants house on the last day "doesn't matter how old they are,they still can't resist us"

"Ok Dec" Ant smiled "so you'll carry on visiting them now the shows are finished?"

"Well I wouldn't go that far" Dec frowned.

"Thought not" Ant laughed.

That Christmas,the Donnellys insisted on having Ant,Christine and Sarha over for the day and a great time was had by all.The McPartlin family were in awe of the Donnellys lavish festivities,with so much food and presents,not to mention the amount of people squeezed into the house.

"I've got you a present" Dec whispered to Ant after dinner "come on,it's in my room"

Ant followed Dec upstairs,making sure he also had the gift he'd purchased for Dec with him.

"Happy Christmas" Dec smiled as he handed the heavy item over to Ant.

"Thanks" Ant replied as he opened the far from perfectly wrapped gift "wow, that's brilliant"

"Thought you might like it" Dec smiled "talking to that old guy Tom gave me the idea"

"A history of world war one and two" Ant read out from the book cover.

"Yeah enjoy" Dec rolled his eyes playfully "now what have you got me?"

"Declan" Ant scolded "it's very rude to ask for presents ya know?"

"Yeah,yeah,whatever" Dec replied "I know you've got me something,I can see it behind your back,so just hand it over"

"Such a child" Ant laughed while passing over the present he'd feebly attempted to hide from Dec.

"Ooh what is it?" Dec asked excitedly as he pulled at the paper.

"Well you'll know in a minute won't you?" Ant observed "just open it carefully will ya?it's breakable"

As Dec tore into the paper,he was stunned into silence as he stared at the item.

Ant watched amused as he studied Decs face for his inevitable reaction.

"Um...Ant?"

"Yeah?"

"It's a piggy bank" Dec pointed out confused as he held up the pink,ceramic pig.

"You noticed?" Ant grinned.

"Yeah" Dec continued "well,thanks I guess,but I'm eighteen,not five"

Ant had pretty much expected this reaction from his friend.

"Listen to me Dec" Ant smiled "yes it is a piggy bank,but that's not the important thing,it's more what it signifies rather than what it actually is"

"What do you mean?" Dec asked baffled.

"Well" Ant launched into his explanation "I know you've been pretty down with the way things have been going so far.The single was a flop,the old peoples homes gigs weren't exactly our bag,but I'm convinced things can only get better"

"Er ok" Dec replied "but I still don't see what that has to do with a piggy bank?"

"I'm getting to that part Mr impatient" Ant grinned "I just thought for everything we earn in the future,no matter how much it is,even if it's only a tiny fee for something,you could put a little bit away from every pay packet?even if it's just £5 each time,I bet as soon as you see it growing,you'll feel better about where our careers are going.Good idea eh?"

"I guess" Dec frowned,less than enthusiastically.

"Come on Decs" Ant smiled "think about it for a minute.We've earnt a little bit of cash from 'tonight I'm free' and the gigs haven't we?even if it wasn't very much,but if you saved just £5 a week from that,that's £260 over a year,then if the next song does better and you save £10 a week from that,then that'll be £520 over a year,good eh?"

"You sound like a bloody bank manager" Dec pointed out.

"Well" Ant sighed "I know what it's like to not have much money,for me Mam to struggle to put food on the table every day,watching her break down in despair,not knowing how to feed her kids"

Dec all of a sudden was hit by an incredible surge of guilt.

"I..I'm sorry Ant" he sighed "I see where you're coming from now,it's a lovely idea,thank you"

Dec placed the piggy bank on his bed and leant over to give Ant a hug,both of them patting each others backs affectionately.

"Will you do it then?" Ant asked hopefully.

"Yeah of course I will" Dec smiled "and just think,in a few years time,it'll have millions in it"

"Ha" Ant laughed "think you might need a bigger piggy bank then"

"You'll see Ant" Dec smiled "one day we will be millionaires,me and you,then neither of us,or our parents will ever have to worry about money ever again"

"You see" Ant smiled "I always knew you were a dreamer really"

"Yeah,I guess I am" Dec replied "Mam and Dad have always encouraged me to follow my dreams....and now you"

"Yeah,but just imagine it Decs" Ant smiled "all the people we'll be able to help out when we hit the big time,doesn't matter if it's with singing or acting,our Mams and your Dad will never have to work again"

"Umm..my Mam doesn't work" Dec pointed out "hasn't since Pat was born"

"Really Dec?" Ant frowned "you don't think bringing up seven kids is work?"

"You know what I mean Ant" Dec moaned "she didn't go out to work for a pay packet and anyway,I'm sure bringing me up was nothing but a complete pleasure"

"Yeah course it was" Ant laughed.

"You're right though,it would really be amazing wouldn't it?" Dec replied thoughtfully "they'll never have to worry about money ever again and neither will we.I'm gonna buy them a huge house as well,I promise you Ant,that will happen"

"Me too,my Mam definitely deserves that and I'm gonna get her a cleaner" Ant smiled with a new found glint in his eye "but just think,me and you....millionaires"

"Yep" Dec smiled "it's going to be perfect!"