It's a miracle – after nearly 47 years of me being the youngest member of the family to host stuff, finally up pops Richard's oldest daughter Jessie aged 25 with the offer of a family party in her new flat. Hurrah – the next generation starts to come good at last!
She is now living with boyfriend Pat (not to be confused with Grace's boyfriend – Matt… or the hopeful future boyfriend of third niece Abbie who just needs a Nat..) in Blackheath – which sadly necessitated me driving on a Friday night – imagine!
Anyway – here we all are – a slightly motley crew but that's the Scotts for you.
Niece 3 Abbie, Niece 1 Jessie, brother Richard, sister Cathy, hubby Hawksey, brother-in-law Emmanuel at the back.
Me then sister-in-law Heather, niece 4 Lily Rose, Mum, niece 5 Daisy, niece 2 Grace and Jessie's boyfriend Pat.
And a rare photo of the lesser-spotted-altogether 3 Scott siblings – not that I'd put even a quid on anyone ever believing we are – supposedly – all closely related to each other. Ginger, bald, blonde. White teeth, dodgy teeth, gappy teeth. Iffy taste, no taste, excellent taste… ah, I could continue..
And finally to Mum being presented with her birthday cake last night – 2 days before her actual 86th birthday but the Clogs were off in the morning. Note the utterly rapt attention of nieces 4 and 5 who were most certainly more interested in getting the best/most sprinkles off the cake than in actually wishing Granny a happy birthday…
Still, mum was very happy with a hefty slice of Victoria sponge as ever, and a whole 6 candles to blow out, as the full whack would have taken rather a while…. x