Shakshouka with crusty bread; chocolate caramel cookies with chocolate ice cream

I’m pleased to say that mum did remember her promise and let me sleep as long as I needed, which was wonderful. I feel like I’ve been pretty lazy for rest of the day, although I’ve actually managed to get a few bits done.

I did our meal plan for next week, trying not to include too many chicken-based meals as mum has intimated that we’ve had too much chicken recently – probably true, but it’s such a useful protein source for someone who won’t eat any other meat except lamb, which is expensive, and also refuses most fish and vegetable-based protein sources.

I then did the accompanying grocery order. Mum always complains that I order too much, then joins in with my grocery ordering with “can we get some scones? Oh, and some of those square things [a specific type of cereal bar]. And don’t forget my ice cream. And lemon yoghurts. Oh, and some more crunchy nut cereal”, and before I know it there’s over £100 of stuff in the basket.

Then it was on to cancelling a mobile broadband contract that’s been costing me money and not getting used. I used the online chat rather than making a call as mum tends to shamelessly eavesdrop and sometimes ask for clarification on what I’m talking about. The text chat proved even worse, as mum started getting anxious and suspicious about what I was doing, no matter how often I assured her that it didn’t involve her at all.

Finally it was on to dinner, with a Simply Cook shakshouka, which I was hesitant about because it’s not exactly difficult to make, but I have to admit it’s much better than mine even if I did overcook the eggs, as usual. Mum ate hers without comment except to say how good the bread was: it’s Tesco Finest keep-it-in-the-cupboard seedy sourdough baguettes and, I completely agree, very delicious.

Mum followed hers with the last of the coffee ice cream until the groceries are delivered on Wednesday (sob). I had a couple of my favourite Sainsbury’s chocolate chunk and salted caramel cookies, heated briefly in the microwave, with triple chocolate ice cream from Iceland. It was insanely sweet, but so good I was more than half tempted to have a second portion. (I didn’t.)

I noticed yesterday that mum has developed a slight belly, which is a vast improvement on the skeletal figure which visited me in hospital last year. I may not get many Mum-chelin stars for my cooking, but she’s eating it and clearly gaining much-needed nutrients, which is probably my greatest achievement, today or any day.