Morning Mum,

I forgot to buy a prawn ring from Iceland.

‘Don’t worry love, you don’t need a prawn ring, you’re right, it was mainly water and the prawns weren’t very big anyway.’

It was well worth a fiver and I’m sorry I took the Micky out of your prawn ring year after year.  It’s just that you were so predictable and it always made me laugh.

‘I’ll need to get a prawn ring.’ You’d say each year as you dragged me around Iceland in Cheadle.

‘Hurry up Mum, it’s freezing in here.’

‘It’s meant to be love, everything’s frozen, stop rushing me will you?  I only need a few bits.’

‘Mum, put those back, you can’t buy frozen roast potatoes.’

‘Why not?’

‘You just can’t.’

‘I’m done with all the messing, here put them in the basket.’

‘It’s not messing, it’s tradition.’

‘It’s a lot of faffing if you ask me, it’s just a bloody Sunday dinner, alright put the potatoes back but I’m keeping the prawn ring.’

‘Can’t we put it all back and go to Marks and Spencers?’

‘I’m not paying £15 for 6 little sausages wrapped in bacon when I can make my own.’

‘Are you going to make your own pigs in blankets?

‘No am I eck, I’m just making a point, here we’re at the till now.’

‘Ooh look Mum, they’ve got frozen mince pies!’

‘I don’t buy frozen ones love, besides I’ve got mince pies in the cupboard at home.’

I miss our stressful Christmassy conversations . I miss you telling me crackers are a waste of money and that the shelves are empty in Co op.

‘Ooh you do leave things till the last minute love.’ You’d say.  ‘You won’t get a turkey crown on Christmas Eve.’

You were right, one year it was a toss up between minted lamb burgers and a tiny corn fed poussin. 

‘Shall we go for a drink in the Crown Mum?’

‘Bit rough in there love, let’s go for a coffee in ‘Costa Packet.’

‘Alright Mum.’

Myles is bringing over the Christmas meats today and we’re cooking together on the farm.  In my head it will be like a TV special with Jamie and Nigella, the reality is more like one hairy biker and one fat lady.

Beth and Luca are coming too.  They don’t know it yet but I’ve got a little surprise for them from you.

‘I won’t be here for Christmas this year.’ You wept, ‘I’ll be gone by then.’

‘You’ll always be here for Christmas Mum.’ I reassured you, rubbing my own teary red eyes.

I’m not sure if I’ll be able to hold back the tears when I tuck into a fork full of sprout today, not because they’re bitter and taste like a wet trump but because I know they were your second favourite to a prawn ring.

I’ll defrost some prawns and display them in a circle for you and I’ll pretend to love sprouts as much as you did.

I’ll even freeze any lingering roast potatoes.  

Gone but never forgotten Mum.

‘Thank you my love, and remember to take the grill  pan out of the oven before you pre heat it.’

Of course.

Love as always,

Queen x
18/12/2021