"Blanche Silcox did not show any mortification at [Evelyn's] cavalier reception of a dish which, on another occasion he would have enthusiastically welcomed. But nor had she shown any obvious gratification when he praised the duck and the mulberry pudding. In their deep domestic intimacy silence before other people was the appropriate thing."
Mulberry pudding was what was called for by the book, but getting hold of mulberries was impossible, and even mulberry conserve proved beyond the scope of local shops. What I had in mind was Sarah Raven's recipe for Mulberry Bakewell Tart, but lacking the crucial ingredient I decided to substitute blackberries.
I tried the suggested method of grating the pastry into the tin and that does appear to have given a good result (I've tasted just a mouthful of the finished tart so far so I shall have to do a proper consumer test at supper!). I omitted the lemon and added instead a good measure of Crème de Mûres, and having no time to go and forage for blackberries I used some from the supermarket to supplement what we have in the garden !
