A house supper, January 2014

Outside: an inky Friday night, the last of the Christmas glitter catching the edges of the winter-struck trees. Inside: low lights, a warm table, ceviche and the first wine of the year. We talked about pianos and travel and how I might spend the unexpected tax rebate I’d just received from the Inland Revenue. You especially wanted to know about my writing, your eyes genuine and generous as you listened. I wondered why I’d ever been nervous. The food was delicious. The evening smiled on.

Ruth Steadman