After my romantic day out on the hill with Alec I was more than a little relieved to discover that I hadn't been locked out of the house when I got back to Craiglea. In fact, I was welcomed with great reverence and warmth by Freda and Edie, performing the role of waitresses dressed in Tibetan finery. After being forced into the shower I was shown through to a private dining room where Lesley and I were served a selection of delicious dishes cooked and devised by the girls themselves. There was even a printed Anniversary Meal menu and Gin & Tonics all round!
Apparently the traditional present for a 10th wedding anniversary is tin. My gift to Lesley was a German-made clockwork tin toy of a washer-woman wife. I don't think Lesley saw the funny side of the joke though...