a Guildford-based mini-adventure

vintage book love print by Marianne LoMonaco

Despite Guildford being only 27 miles south west of London, I have never before had a reason to visit. Just in case you're interested, some notable past residents of the Surrey town include: Lewis Carroll, P.G. Wodehouse, and Ford Prefect of The Hitchiker's Guide to The Galaxy (or so he claimed). But it was none of the above who had enticed me to visit.

My friend J and her long-term boyfriend have recently moved there together, and a couple of weeks ago J was taken to hospital and had to undergo surgery. The thing is, J and I are not super close friends, but when I found out about it, the first thing I wanted to do was go and see her and give her a big (gentle) hug and tell her that I love her.

She has had the last couple of weeks off work, and the doctors have signed her off until the end of the month, which should give her enough time to recover properly. But what is it that makes recovery even quicker, I hear you ask? Yep, you guessed it - cake!

I knew J was a fan of the beloved Jaffa Cake, and so my first ever Jaffa Cake Cake was baked especially for her. And my goodness it was good! If you haven't yet committed it to memory, I advise you scribble down the recipe on whatever surface you have handy right now. It was unbelievably delicious. I had no idea that the simple addition of Jaffa Cakes could do so much to a regular chocolate cake. I think I should try adding Jaffa Cakes to all of my meals in future. You'll have to try it to see what I mean (or alternatively, request it next time you visit).

The entire day with her and our friend S was lovely and I haven't giggled so much in ages. It was kinda like the other month when I reconnected with S - it felt easy and natural and I don't know why I hadn't done it sooner. I feel ever so slightly guilty that it took something so serious to happen for me to get my arse into gear and re-connect with her, but I'm very glad that I did. Better late than never, right?