CRÈME CARAMEL

I recall the exact moment
Aged seven, nineteen fifty four,
When I moved out of childhood.
Out to lunch with Auntie Barbara,
In Kennards swanky restaurant.
North End, Croydon, Department Store,
I sit opposite Auntie B
Look around at the finery,
Post war women in hats and stoles,
Silver cakestands, profiteroles,
Seamed stockinged legs, mingled perfumes,
Permanent waves, waitress service,
Heady stuff for inquisitives.
I don’t remember the main meal,
“Would you like something for dessert?”
She says, passing me a menu.
The choice is vast, ice cream sundae,
Banana split, Apple dumplings,
Even Knickerbocker Glory.
I fixated on these two words,
Crème Caramel, sounds exotic,
“I’d like a crème caramel please.”
“Are you sure dear, not an ice cream?”
I insist on Crème Caramel.
Cornucopias of Ice cream
Piled high with wafers and syrups
Sail past our table as I wait.
Eventually mine arrives.
A small white china ramekin
Filled with glazed, almost burnt, sugar.
Inside my head I’m mortified.
I don’t let on, I smile sweetly,
Aunt B looks on, in sympathy.
I pick up the teaspoon and crack,
Sugar shatters like broken glass,
Cream coloured custard oozes forth,
Scoop some into sceptical mouth.
I learned that it’s not the biggest
Nor the flashiest that is best.
Now sixty five years further on
There’s only one dessert for me,
Crème Caramel, brulé of course.