Monday was Tom's 8th birthday and as a treat we put off going back until the Monday morning, complete with 'I am 8' badges on his jumper.
Boys are allowed out with parents etc. instead of staying in for supper in the dining room. It's also tradition to bring in a cake for all the other choristers to enjoy. Which is of course exactly what we did.
Earlier that afternoon, we attended Evensong and saw Tom process in with the other probationers - and somehow we managed to be sat on the correct side of the quire stalls (the 'Dec') so we could see him opposite us (the 'Can'). Somehow he'd managed to lose his ruff whilst getting changed. Shame. No matter he got full marks for his behaviour during the service (the deputy head was sat behind us), although I think one of his mates got a ticking off.
After the service then, back to the school dining room and the cake. The head of boarding made a few house announcements then all the choristers and teachers sang happy birthday. It was quite touching.
Then off we trotted to a nearby Pizza Express where he and his sister had their usual Dough balls and garlic bread.
Yum.
