For example, in The Chalet School and the Lintons (Chambers, 1934): "the Lower Fifth took their turn in the Domestic Economy class. This was the fourth since the beginning of term, and they were especially thrilled about it, for they were to start cooking today." (p9) Brent-Dyer then describes in detail how the Lower Fifth are taught to make an apple pie by Frau Meiders, the new teacher. Before they "fit on their crust", the girls ask if they can flavour the pies with cloves as they do in England, and Cornelia Flower is sent to get some from the store cupboard. Later, when the pies are served for Mittagessen, the girls complain that the pies smell of onions.

There was no doubt about it. The pies - or some of them - [half had been flavoured with cinnamon] did smell with a queer, strong scent that was far nearer onions than apples. The mystery was solved when Cornelia, who liked delicacies, took a heaped spoonful, choked precipitately, and hid her face in her napkin. Then she leapt up, and without bothering to ask leave of anyone, tore from the room . . . a chorus of groans and protests rose.

"Poison! They've been trying to poison us!" proclaimed Jo dramatically.

"Schrecklich!" - "Oh, mais ces't effroyable!" - "Ghastly!" These and other exclamations sounded from all sides. Frau Mieders got up quickly, and went to one of the tables, her face full of distress . . . .[she] tasted the contents of Jo's plate. The next moment she cast the spoon from her with a shudder. "Garlic! Girls! You have flavoured these pies with garlic!" . . . The mistress swung round on Cornelia, who had returned just then, looking very much ashamed of herself. "Cornelia, did you take cloves or garlic-cloves?" (pp141-3)

(Fortunately for the Gosling family, it never occurred to my mother to serve anything which I had cooked at our dinner table.)

Dr Ju Gosling aka ju90's ABNORMAL: How Britain became body dysphoric and the key to a cure is available now for just £3.09 for the Kindle or in a limited-edition hardback with full-colour art plates for £20 inc UK postage and packing.