The Messenger June 2016

October 09
The W
rld
according to Fran
Well after last month’s ‘World According to Fran’ Jack
said it was about time I included my passport photo
(the one where I look like I am from Prisoner Cell
Block H in the 80’s) and told everybody a story about
myself. He suggested that I share the one after I had
just learned to drive and was parking my car, for the
very first time, at a parking meter, on my way to a
Manchester Law Society seminar.
It was a highly embarrassing moment for me and I was
seriously considering doing just as Jack had asked but,
yet again, he has surpassed himself and given me
enough ammunition with his latest tale of woe to fill this
piece.
As you know Jack was going to Benidorm on holiday.
We had the trials and tribulations of losing his passport
and having to buy a new one for £80.
We had the trials and tribulations of him buying some
new clothes for said holiday – he spent £200 in a designer
shop where he bought four items and then £75 in
Primark where he bought about seventeen items!
He was packing his suitcase (well rolling everything up
into a ball and squashing it in) and took out his new
clothes to show me. His £80 Gant shirt had a big burn
mark at the bottom of it, all the way through each side
of the shirt. “Somebody” had obviously dropped the end
of a cigarette into the bag and burnt the shirt.
I wonder who that could be?! So we are another £80
down.
We finally get everything packed and he goes off to his
dad’s with strict instructions about phoning Vodafone to
get international traveller put onto his phone and to find
out about turning off data roaming as well as a lecture
on the dangers of too much alcohol, sun, drugs, bugs
and entreaties to send me a text to let me know he had
got there safely. I wasn’t asking for a daily phone call or
nightly face time. I was only asking for one small text to
let me know that he had arrived safely. Not too much to
ask I thought.
Jack was away for a week.
He posted a photo on Facebook, early in the morning of
the day he went from Manchester Airport, of a bottle of
Sol saying the holiday starts here. I commented “have a
great time”, which he liked. “Well that’s a good start” I
thought. “He’s liked it.
There is a first time for everything!” I sent a couple of
texts to him during the week and did a couple of face
book posts.
I had no communication from him all week until the Saturday
afterwards when he phoned me and grunted
“hello”.
“Oh hello” I managed sarcastically “are you back then?”
“Yea” he muttered. “I’m back and we have a problem”!
I admit I panicked slightly, wondering what on earth had
happened and what the problem was that “WE” had!
I managed to decipher from the deep guttural sounds
that he HAD NOT phoned Vodafone, he HAD NOT had international
traveller put on his phone for his week in
Benidorm AND he HAD NOT turned data roaming off.
Instead of costing him £21.00 for being abroad for a
week he was being charged £250.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I ended up buying him a weekly traveller for the train for
the last two weeks in May so at least he could get to
work.
He will then be paid and add this amount to the debt the
size of a small country that he already owes me and is
paying back at a small, insignificant amount each month
(unless his phone bill is massive or he has been on holiday).
At this rate he’ll pay me back in about 2089!
I have told him that the Bank of Mum is now closed and
probably in liquidation!
If by any chance nothing happens in the World of Jack,
next month I will tell you all about the parking meter debacle!
Fran Eccles-Bech
Chief Executive
Monthly Competition
Scene Indian Street Kitchen
Scene Indian Street Kitchen opened to rapturous reviews in April 2015. Set in Manchester’s premier food and
drink district, Spinningfields this new and exciting venue is inspired by the energy and vitality of the Indian
sub-continent.
At Scene we want to create something special, build memories, loyalty and engage with people on a social
and gastronomical level; giving them the full Scene Experience.
We offer our diners fun, quirky and authentic street food, taking customers on a journey through India, Pakistan
and South Asia. A visit to Scene is a truly engaging experience that uses all the five senses. Customers
will be able to see the freshness and vibrant colours of the ingredients, smell the spices used and hear the food
being prepared through the theatrical open plan kitchen which is the focal point of this exciting restaurant.
As well as the grandeur of the 150 cover restaurant interiors, sourced directly from India, customers are welcomed
to try our street side outdoor veranda offering shisha, nibbles and an exciting drink selection. Our tranquil
riverside terrace overlooking the River Irwell is due to be opening in time for the Spring to offer visitors a
perfect option for enjoying the authentic food as it was designed to be eaten, Al Fresco!
To win a Meal for two with a complimentary bottle of house
wine answer the following question:
Which river does our tranquil riverside terrace overlook?
and send to FranEccles-Bech@manchesterlawsociety.org.uk
no later than 9th June 2016
The winner of the Sakana competition was Russell Davidson
Partner, Shoosmiths LLP