🦀 Steve, Percy the Crab & Seaside Mischief — The Young Years! Before the podcasts, the stories, and the heart-to-hearts, there was a little boy from a fishing family—and his very best mate, Percy the crab. Steve grew up right by the water, where boats bobbed, nets were strung, and the tide always brought something surprising home. And nothing was more surprising—or more stubborn—than Percy! Here’s what young Steve got up to: ✅ Percy moved house… into the toy box Steve brought Percy home from the shore, proud as anything, and decided he deserved a proper palace—not just a bucket. So he tipped out his favourite toys, lined the box with seaweed and damp sand, and tucked Percy right in. Come morning? Half the toys had been nudged aside, and Percy was sat right in the middle, looking like he owned the place. Steve swore he even saw him grinning! ✅ The great dinner-table escape One afternoon Steve was showing Percy off to the family—“Look how clever he is!”—when snap! Percy scuttled right out of his hands, across the table, and under the legs of Dad’s big fishing boots. It took three grown-ups, a bag of chips as bait, and nearly an hour to coax him out. Dad just shook his head: “That crab’s got more sense than half the fishermen out there!” ✅ He tried to take Percy to school Steve packed Percy carefully into an old pencil case—with air holes!—and marched off, determined everyone should meet his best friend. He made it all the way to the playground before the teacher spotted the little claws peeking out. “He’d get lonely without me!” Steve insisted. Percy got a special trip home with Mum that day—but Steve still says Percy waved goodbye from the windowsill. ✅ The “helping with the nets” chaos Born into a fishing family, Steve wanted to lend a hand—so he set Percy down on the pile of rope to “keep watch”. Bad idea. Percy got his claws tangled in twine, wouldn’t let go, and suddenly everyone was untangling both of them. By the end of the afternoon, Steve was covered in salt and giggles, and Dad said: “That crab’s not just a pet—he’s your partner in trouble!” ✅ Percy “helped” with the shopping Once Steve tucked him into his coat pocket to pop to the shops. Every few minutes a claw would poke out, and passers-by would do a double-take. “He’s just checking the fish counter!” Steve told them. To this day, he swears Percy gave a little nod when they walked past the fresh catch. ✅ The shell collection “supervisor” Steve loved gathering beautiful shells along the shore—but Percy had very strong opinions. Any shell he didn’t like? He’d nudge it right off the windowsill. Only the shiniest, most perfect ones stayed. Steve says Percy had better taste than anyone in the house! “People ask me why I’ve always got time for everyone—why I stop and listen, even to the quiet stories. I think it started with Percy. You learn pretty quick: if you take your time, treat everyone gently, and don’t rush things… even the grumpiest little crab becomes your greatest mate.” — Steve, looking back