Let’s go back in history.

• Sep 1982. Off to Coventry Poly to read Business Studies.
• Feb 1983. Mum comes to visit me in my poly digs. I’m hoping for a food parcel (biscuits, beans, homemade cake etc). I get a brace of pheasant.
• Feb 1983 – 3 days later. To the amazement of my housemates I pluck, draw and casserole said pheasants. Well, it’s how I’ve been brought up.
• Feb 1987. Trained in survival techniques as I am, I cope with student life quite well and then as my degree course draws to a close Steven appears on the scene. In the subsequent 21 years, wherever I am, the phone goes about 4 o’clock almost every day. It’s him with the same question every time; it’s a standing joke in the office: “What’s for tea?”
• Nov 1993. Ben is born. He comes out asking the same question.
• 1988-2000. I work in sales and marketing for Royal Doulton. How beautiful is bone china to eat off and drink out of? I am priviledged to meet some outstanding chefs and eat truly wonderful food.
• March 1998. Lizzie is born.”What’s for tea?”
• July 2000-2002. A short stint at Wedgwood but I’m doing so much travelling, I miss too many teatimes.
• Sep 2002. I retrain to become a Business Studies teacher.
• July 2003 – Dec 2007. OK , so I get home for tea most days but don’t get me started on the downsides.
• Feb 2007.” You should go on The Apprentice, miss. You’d win!” The faith of my lovely Year 13 class. “Steve doesn’t want me to move to London,” I reply. But, they’re right, I really do want to get back into business..ideally my own.