Brookmans Park

My grandfather was an electrical engineer by profession. I believe he mellowed with age, however as grandchildren we were guarded with him. On our regular summer visits to England, we would approach Brookmans Park with Girls, remember your best behaviour. This was red rag to a bull for me, tell me to be on my best behaviour and I will do the exact opposite. Not through defiance, I was just acutely aware of the atmosphere that brought on a nervous energy. Best behaviour equalled no loud voices, no giggling, your very best table manners. At all times, measured. Basically the opposite of me. I managed to tow the line initially but as soon as we got to the dinner table, the silence was palpable. Just the clinking of cutlery, Julia can you pass me the potatoes please and the wide eyed serious look on all our faces would set me off into absolute hysteria.

Call it nervous laughter, this has let me down on many occasions.

My mother would glare at me, Nicola and Julia trying to avoid the mess of me at the other end of the table.

Granpop insisted on packing the dishwasher after dinner, and by no means would we offer to help him. There was an order to this that only Granpop knew.

We all breathed a sigh of relief once dinner was done, we could relax a little. Granpop would go back to sitting on his chair in the living room reading. On a hot summer’s day Granjoy would suggest we play badminton outside on the grass. Stripping off to our knickers, we would have endless amounts of fun in the garden. It was a joyful place to be in, there was a manicured grass with flower beds on either side. An apple tree planted in the middle and further down a mix of fruit and vegetables that grew. Granjoy was passionate about her garden, the fruit and veg put to good culinary use.

We would often wander down the garden with Granjoy, her hands behind her back walking with a slight limp as she explained to us the latest plants she was growing, pulling weeds up at the same time. Everything about Granjoy was cuddly, she was a practical lady who cut to the chase very quickly but her olive skin and big brown eyes, mischievous laugh endeared us to her and she remained the most lovable grandmother until the very end.

Granjoy, Nicola, Julia and I in the garden