I remember Lewis's for several reasons over the years. The rooftop experience with cars and zebra crossings - not sure what this was really for, to teach children how to cross the road or what? The baby chicks that they always seem to have there at Easter time, the ice cream machine(s) which were always tucked away somewhere near stairs I think, the ice cream was really good, or at least it was for me. I remember going to choose a cardigan, a kind of fair isle one, on a pale blue ground, and a dress for a cousin's wedding. Later on I used to go for offcuts of fabric to make myself skirts, and also to visit the Grotto at Christmas - the best ever experience, although waiting on the stairs was not the nicest place to be. The one thing that really sticks out in my mind was when having a meal there - I think it must have been fish and chips - I picked up the bottle of tomato sauce and shook it (as you do) and the top came off and the sauce went flying everywhere. I was only about eight and I got told off for it. It was not me who left the top not screwed on, but apparently I should have looked!!! I don't know which was worse, the embarrasement of having the sauce fly everywhere or being blamed. Some things you never forget.
