Celebratory spend

Ever since my oldest grandchild was in the upper years of primary school, she has opted for lunch and a shopping spree as her birthday present. Today her cousin Alan joined us for lunch, he having reached the dizzy heights of S6 with - today at least - a free afternoon. Our bit of self-indulgence involved summoning taxis to get us into town and home again…

Catriona chose Cafe Andaluz for lunch, and the four of us juggled a number of plates of tapas and I contrived to eat far more than I intended. Alan wisely left us after lunch and the three of us spent the next two hours or more poring over jeans, T shirts and … tea. In Whittards. Catriona is already preparing to fly the nest and make sure she has her home comforts with her. It was exhausting - especially after eating too much - but I love buying her things because she receives everything with such pleasure.

I took the photo as we left the St James’s Centre - she to a bus, while I summoned a cab via the app. I collapsed in a corner with two large mugs of peppermint tea and Himself fed the cats. Now Oreo is sitting in the kitchen, eyes closed, looking like an enigmatic Egyptian deity, and we are beginning to revive.

I wonder if we’ll ever do this particular ritual again?