Friday 27 November 2009

Tales Out Of School

"So, Granny," said The Small One, settling down on the rug in front of the fire and taking Higgins, the 3-legged cat, onto her lap,
 "Tell me what my school was like when you were there. "
"Well," said Granny, "Some things change and some things stay the same. What you call Home Economics, your Mum knew as Domestic Science while I went to Domestic Economy. In those days we had to do sewing as well; and it wasn't fun, interesting sewing. We had to make underwear. Can you imagine? Wartime knickers. Bloomers. Out of any fabric we could find. They turned out big and baggy; and I remember we had a boy in our class who was daft and funny; and when he grew up he became a famous actor. Well, I hid those bloomers in my desk until, one day, he found them and he tried them on and danced behind the teacher's back. I can still picture it," she said, smiling at the memory.
"And cookery? I think I made a beef salad for my first practical exam, just like you. But I had to carry it in a basket and it bumped against my knees and banged off my gas mask; and once I was struggling so hard I ended up on the wrong tram and I rode miles away from home."
"Tram?" said The Small One, her eyes wide.
"I get a lift."
"I know you do," said Granny.
 "You're a lucky girl. If I didn't take the tram, I had to bicycle. And one day, I remember, my brakes failed and I went flying all the way down the hill and over the bridge without stopping. It's that hill beside the church. You know. where your Mum picks you up."
"I know the one," nodded The Small One.
"It's the long one, with the theatre at the bottom. They've knocked it down and they're building a new one; and sometimes the lorries are all over the road."
"I know about the new one," answered Granny (smiling at the neat ending she could feel just ahead of her) "It was on the news last week. They were interviewing a VIP about his fund raising for it. Can you guess who it was?"
The Small One shook her head slowly. And then she stopped and raised one eyebrow hopefully.
"It wasn't?.."
"It was, you know," said Granny, beaming.
"The famous actor. Or, the boy in the bloomers. You choose."

Today I'm loving...the dear little boy who is coming to spend tonight with his cousins. Come on over, Little E! We're all ready and waiting.

16 comments:

humel said...

*Love* this post :-)

*Love* your new header - it's perfect xx

catrin said...

just Great! E's bags are packed but I am not sure you will be loving it quite so much tomorrow when none of you have had any sleep!

scrappyjacky said...

Love this story.....and love that granny is obviously much older than me!!!

ceruleanblue said...

Love this story Sian, so cute, just like the layout. Now when are you going to tell us who the famous actor is???

Lizzie said...

What a lovely post! I think the layout is fabulous. Such a great idea!
LOL the Bloomers! We had to make nighties in sewing. I remember my mum bought pink checked flannelette for mine - I was so ashamed of it! Mind you, the nightie was very warm (and VERY hardwearing!)

debs14 said...

You can't leave us in suspense like that? Who is the actor/boy in knickers? Do tell!

Maria Ontiveros said...

Sian,
What a lovely post. I hope you are saving these all together in one place - such great family stories.
And I love the new header.
Rinda

Tinkertaylor said...

Great story I'm intrigued who the bloomer boy is. Your posts always get me thinking today I was reminded of how we learnt to knit dish clothes. My friend was hopeless and took all year to complete her little square.When her Mum put it in the water it unravelled!!!

Jools said...

Great story but now I need to know who the famous actor was. The boy in the bloomers. Bloomer boy!

LOL. Thanks for sharing Sian. Your blog posts are always interesting to read.

Amy said...

This is a great post Sian ... what fabulous family stories you have to tell.

Anonymous said...

Great story, Sian, beautifully told! x alexa

Sian said...

Well, I could tell you who it was..but then again maybe not. Sorry, I have to protect my sources!

Kim Winter said...

great story!

Kim Winter said...

great story!

Denise said...

A lovley post so well written x

Ruth said...

Great new header. And who is "Bloomer Boy"? Are you going to spill the beans??

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