Amuse bouche... School daze

‘Humphrey has a bento box,” Adam told Suzanne. They were in the car home after his first week at big school.

“Who has a what?” asked Suzanne.

“Humphrey,” Adam told her again. “He’s in my class. He doesn’t have a lunchbox. He has a bento box. You were talking to Humphrey’s mummy at the gate.”

Ah, right. Not so much talking to Humphrey’s mummy as being talked at by Humphrey’s mummy. She was carrying Humphrey’s baby sister, Tamasin — she had spelled it for Suzanne — in an elaborate sling that she’d got in Nepal.

Humphrey’s mummy had given Suzanne this piece of information when Suzanne had admired Tamasin. Suzanne had no interest in the sling, but now, at least, she knew that Humphrey’s mummy wasn’t going to be comparing notes about family friendly holiday resorts.

“Humphrey had seaweed in his lunch today,” said Adam.

“Really?” asked Suzanne. “Did you try it?”

“No,” said Adam. “We’re not allowed to share food, Mum. But I told Humphrey that I hate seaweed and that it’s stinky and slimy. He said that his mummy says that it’s a superfood. Is that like a superhero? Does Humphrey have superpowers?”

“Yes, he got them in Nepal, from his Sherpa,” said Suzanne.

“What?” said Adam. “He had sherbet? No, Humphrey wouldn’t have that. Humphrey’s mummy says sugar is not super.”

“Yes indeed,” said Suzanne.

“Humphrey’s mummy says that Humphrey can come to our house for a playdate,” said Adam, “but she’d have to come with him the first time. Can they come?”

Suzanne suspected she wouldn’t be serving up Betty Crocker muffins to Humphrey, or his mother. She’d have to put planning into the snacks for that date, and maybe get some handmade knick-knacks online to make the house Humphrey’s-mummy friendly.

“Of course they can come over,” said Suzanne, “Soon.”

Soon, Suzanne reckoned, Humphrey might have passed as flavour of the month. She’d bide her time. “Humphrey says Paw

Patrol is for babies and that my Paw Patrol lunchbox is babyish,” Adam said.

“Oh dear,” said Suzanne. “Well, you love

Paw Patrol. What does Humphrey like?”

“He likes his French teacher,” said Adam. “She comes to his house and teaches him French and gives him chocolate sandwiches when his mum leaves them alone. She sounds nice.”

She does, thought Suzanne, and she’d let the French teacher bring Humphrey over any time.