Well, since you ask me for a tale of nicknames

I believe I do have a timeline of events that you might find revelatory.

Currently in Chronological order
  1. 1972 – Bradford-on-Avon

    Deborah and her grandmother, Vanessa, are people watching. They speculate on the lives of passers-by, whom they variously nickname Big Coat, Sideburns, Earrings and Orange Shirt.

    Although impressed with her grandmother’s skill, Deborah laments that the conclusions are never something more exciting, like the subjects being Russian spies.

  2. 1982 – Long Buckby

    Walter is watching a film. After a long time passes without the characters saying anything, he asks his wife, Vanessa, to help him.

    Vanessa describes the scenes for Walter. She uses nicknames for the characters, such as Buttons and Sheriff Combover.

    Once the characters start speaking again, she leaves Walter to watch it alone.