“I’m feeding her right now. Apple-cranberry muffins will be ready in an hour. Do you and Madge want to come over and play Scrabble?” Georgie shouts from the kitchen.
“Madge will have to come over after eight—the shop is open until then. But I will be there in an hour. Are Ian and Farrah coming?”
Georgie pokes his head in.
“He says, are Ian and Farrah coming?”
“That’s up to you, babe. You want the house to be full of family?”
Funny how I can feel so alone one minute and so loved and surrounded by support the next. Some women hate their in-laws. My in-laws adore me, and it is so mutual. Farrah Fenclan is stunning and willowy, with silvery blonde hair, and yet she never makes me feel like some outcast, some ugly mistake.
“I’ll ask them, Pop.”
“It’s okay if they can’t. I was just hoping to beat Ian.”
I laugh. “I’ll text them.”
“Can I bring anything?”
“Just yourself. You are enough.”
Georgie smiles at me, a mixing bowl cradled in one arm. “That’s my girl,” he mouths.
I beam back. That’s right. I am.
Douglas’ Bannock Bread
Ingredients:
? 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
? 1 cup all-purpose flour
? 1 teaspoon baking soda
?½teaspoon salt
? ¾ cup buttermilk
? About a tablespoon of butter (for cooking)
? Additional flour for surfaces and kneading.
Method:
? Finely grind the oatmeal in a food processor or blender, and then transfer to a medium-sized mixing bowl.
? In the bowl with the oats, whisk in the flour, baking soda, and salt.
? Mix in the buttermilk until a dough is formed. The dough will be thick and sticky.
? Turn the dough out onto a floured surface.
? Knead two or three times to bring the dough together into a smooth ball, then shape into an eight-inch disc.
? Heat a skillet over low heat. Add the butter to the skillet and let it melt and start to sizzle.
? Place the dough disc in the skillet.
