WHERE WAS I?
I have brought my friend to a former factory — which is now a part of a regeneration scheme.
“In its heyday,” I tell him, “the company that owned the factory was a hotbed of creativity.”
“Because of the ovens?” he ventures.
“No,” I tell him.
“Then what about those two film-makers?” he asks.
“They shot a documentary about the place nearly 120 years ago.”
“No, that’s not the reason either,” I say — and nor is it that a musical star (mother: Elizabeth) grew up in a nearby street named after one of the founders of the company.
“It was because they were so open to new ideas,” I tell Friend — and, with a flourish, I produce a plate bearing several of his favourite snacks. All were invented by the company.
“This one was renamed after a royal dynasty,” I say, pointing at one of the snacks.
“And this one was named after an Italian,” I add, pointing at another. “In 1860 he actually fought the royal dynasty after which the other was renamed.”
Friend then takes a selfie of us with the snacks and a part of the factory in the background. “What a picture, what a photograph!” he trills. “Now l’ll get my flask of tea.”
At this point a greenbottle buzzes onto the scene and Friend tries to swat it. Flash, bang, wallop — he scores a direct hit but knocks most of the snacks off the plate in the process.
The only thing that’s left is a squashed fly.
Sean Newsom
THE QUESTIONS
1 What is the stage name of the musical star?
2 What was the surname of the Italian?