Our first phone was on a party line for two users and had the number HITher Green 4999
HIT became 698, 698 became 01 698, that became 0181 698 which then evolved into 020 8698 which is where we are at now.
Just thought I'd mention that
Those old phones with dials that people threw out in droves now fetch a very fair price at craft fairs and boot sales.
It's a strange old world.