<<Take one. 5-7, first cut.>>
This was mostly predicatable -- I knew before I arrived that I'd be the only one around the table who wasn't a UK Professor, either current, acting or emeritus (bar Kate who was hostessing and Rebecca, and neither sat down) ...
But to focus this bit, the star was easily Rebecca, John and Kate's latest, nine months old, who didn't get to sit down but got dandled on their knees around the table by everyone *but* me.
I think that had less to do that when I arrived, I was slightly cut and Kate might have been marginally worried that if I got to dandle Rebecca, I would accidentally drop her and bounce her latest baby's head on the floor and more to do with the way Rebecca was looking at me.
Normally, I can sucker any human child under a year simply by sporting my beard -- "Is it real? May I tug? Cor, it's authentic!" -- but not Rebecca.
The look of Deep Suspicion that Young Rebecca Schad gave me would have melted lead.
In twenty years' time Rebecca Schad will be ruling the world.
Thank god by then I'll I'll be pushing up the daisies.
More anon about the Inaugrual Lecture from Hell, if anyone can bear it.
R.
|