IN THE CARD GAME HAPPY FAMILIES THE AIM IS TO COLLECT AS MANY SETS OR 'FAMILIES' AS POSSIBLE. EACH CHARACTER IS NAMED AFTER THEIR VOCATION. MRS FIELD THE FARMER'S WIFE, MR SOLE THE FISHMONGER, MISS BUD THE FLORIST'S DAUGHTER. THE ROLL CALL IS A REMINDER OF A TIME WHEN WE STILL KNEW THE NAMES OF THINGS. WE LOOKED AND WE SAW THAT EACH THING COMES FROM SOMETHING ELSE.

LOAF BEGAN LIFE AS A COMMUNITY SUPPORTED BAKERY RUN FROM THE DIRECTOR'S OWN KITCHEN. SUCH A MODEL IS SIMPLE. THE COMMUNITY SUBSCRIBE TO THE BAKERY FOR A SET AMOUNT OF MONEY. THE BAKER HAS A SECURE INCOME AND THE CONSUMER A REGULAR SUPPLY OF FRESH BREAD. 

FLOUR, WATER, SALT, YEAST AND TIME. PERHAPS OUR ANCESTORS WERE MORE PATIENT. NOT SO QUICK TO DEMAND, QUICK TO ADD, QUICK TO WALK AWAY. TUESDAY THROUGH TO SATURDAY YOU WILL FIND 'REAL' BREAD AT LOAF. REAL MEANING NOTHING MORE THAN JUST ENOUGH OF LESS. 

IN THE OPEN KITCHENS I WATCH CROISSANTS BEING ROLLED, TWISTED AND BAKED– THEIR PALENESS SOON CRISPING TO HAZEL IN THE OVEN'S HEAT. LIGHT THROUGH THE FRONT WINDOWS FALLS ACROSS THOSE ALREADY LINING THE HEAVY WOODEN SHELVES. THEY WILL NOT REMAIN THERE FOR LONG, EACH DISAPPEARANCE A SYNONYM FOR THE NEXT.

A CONNECTING DOOR LEADS TO THE BAKERY'S COOKERY SCHOOL. TO THE RIGHT A PILE OF BOOKS UNTIDIES A SIDE TABLE. SOMEONE HAS LEFT THEIR SATCHEL SLUMPED AGAINST A CHAIR. 

- ARE YOU THE OWNER, I ASK

- WE ALL ARE, HE REPLIES, FEEL FREE TO WANDER AROUND

PERHAPS I WOULD HANG MY COAT, MAKE IMPRINTS IN MY PALM WITH THE CRUMBS FROM LUNCH. CAULIFLOWER, LENTILS, CARROTS AND SPICES. I ADD THEM UP TO MAKE A DAAL. EGGS, PEAS AND SPINACH- FRITTATA? EACH A MEAL SHARED. 

VOICES MIX WITH LAUGHTER AND DRIFT ACROSS THE CORRIDOR. THE SOUNDS KNOW THE SPACE WELL. CUMIN, BASIL, PEPPERCORNS. SOAP BUBBLES STILL SCUM THE SURFACE OF THIS MORNING'S WASHING UP. 

I LATER LEARN THAT TOM'S SURNAME IS BAKER. HIS PARTNER IS JANE BAKER, THE BAKER'S WIFE.

 THERE IS NO SECRET, THERE IS NOTHING TO HIDE.