Student (Sun)Days

Photo © Rob Jones

Sundays at Bridie's for lunch were always a treat.

It would start with a morning phone call.

Me: "Hello Nanna, how are you?"

Nanna: "Anne-Marie, hello. I'm very well, thank you."

Me: "Would it be okay if I came over to see you later?"

Nanna: "Of course, would you like to be here in time for lunch?"

Me: "Lovely, yes please. See you at half twelve?"

Nanna: "That will be fine."

She knew I was a bit broke & hungry for a proper feed without me saying so.

In these times I was at college & loving it, making new friends, learning new things. Plus, I was living away from the family home for the first time. My bedsit had a tiny kitchen with a fridge & a Baby Belling Countertop Double Hob. Sometimes, on a weekend, culinary comfort was craved. I knew where it was to be found.

Once I got off the bus and rang the doorbell at Bridie's home, I would catch the first scent of what laid ahead on the plate.

There would be a roast.

First, a drink. 

Sherry.

Chat.

Then the main event. Chicken, beef or lamb. The best roast potatoes. Nanna's S&C Mash. Veg.

G R A V Y

N A N N A' S  G R A V Y

Oh my word. To this day none of the family is sure of what went into it. We know there were strained meat juices plus vegetable cooking liquor & cornflour to thicken & then seasoning. There were other things though which were never revealed however hard you kept a beady eye on the kitchen as she cooked.

Post-lunch & at around five o'clock the tea trolley would appear.

Sweet treats. Fondant Fancies. Victoria Sponge. Fruit Cake. Cadbury's Mini Rolls. Tea.

By six o'clock I could barely move from the sofa. 

Eight o'clock & it's time to get the return bus.

There's a kiss on the cheek & a hug to say: "Thank you so much Nanna." A parcel is handed over to me.

A pack up to take home.

She'd already made me sandwiches from the leftover lunch.

AMM