Congratulations Tom!

On Thursday Tom officially signed his new contract with American Express. He is now a permanent employee, one of only three out of about 20 to achieve this! Rather than being on a two year contract he is now on a permanent one. Working in his same team, he will still complete his masters with the grad scheme, but he wont have to search for a new job once that is through. He got a bit of a raise as well, always useful!

To celebrate we went for a meal at The Chimney House. This pub used to be our local, and had a 2 for 1 offer on mains if you booked through Top Table.

Before I start going on about how amazing my meal was, I think you will enjoy hearing this story a bit more. Not long after we were seated I gave Tom a little present. Nothing special, just a little token gift to let him know I am proud of him. As he opened it, some of the tissue paper got in the candle on the table and caught fire! I started to get scared, thinking "we have to get this fire out." Not know what to do I picked it up crying "Tom, fire, help, what do I do?" By this time the entire sheet was in flames. Panicking I threw it in the water jug. Only I didn't get all of it in and a bit burnt off and fell flaming to the table. $*!%! I then in my frenzied state poured my water glass on top of the flames and all over the table. It was a shambles!! I was sooooo embarrassed and the table next to us were all laughing as well. Luckily the bar lady was very nice and helped us clean up, and the boys in the kitchen said it wasn't the first time something like this happened. I'm just glad we didn't burn the entire place down. Tom just sat there shaking his head at me saying if I would have just left it it would have burnt itself out. Must have missed that in fire skills 101 when I was in Campfire.

From there the only way was up for the evening. Neither of us were overly impressed with our starters, but the mains made up for it. I had an incredible meal, the "Pan-seared sea bass, creamy mash, organic spinach, broccoli, mussel & rosemary cream sauce." It was to die for, I savoured every bite! Tom had the "Seared sirloin steak, caramelised onion & sussex blue butter, tomato, roquette, hand-cut chips." His meal was yummy, but mine was definitely better. I was nice and shared. We also enjoyed a bottle of sparkling wine, which we have recently discovered this area of England is very good at.

I think Tom felt special and enjoyed the evening dedicated to him.

Love