I was brought up as a Catholic, and on Good Friday we always went to the 3o’clock mass, which was very sombre. All the statues and pictures in the church were covered with purple cloth, apart from the stations of the cross. We fasted, but we were allowed a hot cross bun each. Easter Sunday was almost as exciting as Christmas. We always had new summer dresses and sandals, which we wore even if it was cold, and we had an Easter egg each, which we were given in the morning but not allowed to eat until later. Church was always crowded, with a high mass with singing, and incense, and it took ages because everyone went to communion. Dinner was roast lamb or, if we were very flush, a chicken.