But if the chef hadn't been late to work, delaying lunch that spring day as I sat with my mother in the bar, with her extra sherry, would she ever have told me – and would I ever have found my father?
An ex-army man at the opening game delayed his lunch to say that he wouldn't like to see a "them and us" situation develop.
After the start was delayed until after lunch because of a wet outfield, captain Marcus Trescothick made 53.
His eyes slide, just for a second, in the direction of the paper bag that contains his long-delayed lunch.
Spilled ingredients would mean rechopping and delayed baking, a stalled lunch and a group of sailors bolting their food.
Other attendees grumbled that the proceedings had delayed the start of lunch - a salmon platter that cost $1 for seniors and $2.50 for others.
Tim Groenewald partnered Chanderpaul, whose 86-ball half-century exuded calmness, while lunch was delayed for 15 minutes with a finish imminent.
There was, indeed, some rain, but it arrived shortly before lunch and delayed play by only 20 minutes after the interval while the covers were mopped up.
However, they had not remembered that the playing regulations have recently been changed so that, if the last-wicket pair are together, lunch is delayed by 30 minutes.
Lunch was delayed with Northants nine down, and after Crook brought up a 47-ball half century, including a six and eight fours, the match came to an end when Willey became Zaidi's second victim.
