A Test OF SKILL

Cooking for her future mother-inlaw filled Izzy with dread, but she had a surprise up her sleeve

- Elizabeth Dale

Anything I can do?’ asked Will, poking his head around the kitchen door.

Izzy, who was weighing out the flour, stirring the custard and worrying about the pancakes all at the same time, shook her head.

‘Just check everywhere’s tidy,’ she said. ‘Make sure I dusted everywhere.’

Will put his arms around her. ‘This isn’t a tour of inspection, you know!’ he said. ‘Just a family dinner party, a chance for you to relax with my parents!’

‘Don’t!’ said Izzy, pushing him away. ‘Don’t hinder me, I’ve got so much to do!’

‘I can help,’ said Will. He wrinkled up his nose. ‘Is that something burning?’

‘The custard!’ cried Izzy, rushing to the pan. It was too late.

‘I could sieve the burnt bits out?’ suggested Will, as they surveyed the brown lumps.

‘No,’ wailed Izzy. ‘It’ll all taste burnt. It’s a disaster!’

‘We’ll have fresh fruit,’ said Will. ‘It’s far healthier.’

Izzy shook her head. Will’s mother, Carmel, was not someone you gave a dessert of fresh fruit to when she came round for dinner. Especially when it was the first time they’d ever hosted her for dinner at theirs.

‘Just try to relax, darling,’ he said, hugging her. ‘My mum isn’t an ogre.’