When we came to England in 1958, no one dressed up and went trick or treating and so in our family we kids didn’t bother with getting dressed up and knocking on doors on the 31st of October.

In the 2000s, though, Halloween has become a thing, at least here in Broadstairs. Knowing it was going to be busy tonight, I bought two big boxes of sweets (each wrapped so fairly hygienic). I got out my witch’s mask with the big green nose, donned all black and added a long black coat, let my hair hang down, added my witch’s hat, put Lola on a lead so that she wouldn’t try to escape as she had done last year and I waited.

It wasn’t dark yet when the first little boy came to the door with his mum. I opened the door and he said “Trick or Treat!” I said something like, “Hello little boy. Do you want a sweetie?” in a cranky old witch voice. He grabbed one and ran down the driveway, mumbling “Thank you.”

Many, many children arrived at the door, almost all saying something like Trick or Treat or occasionally, Happy Halloween which, I don’t think is something that is said in America although it is almost 70 years since I spent a Halloween night over there so things may have changed.

Strangely, here in England, when the children say Trick or Treat, they seem to be asking me if I will give them a treat or play a trick on them – the total opposite of its meaning in America. I’m not going to point out their mistake, though, because someday, in the not too distant future, I may very well not be able to provide treats dressed as an old witch!

An interesting aside – I’ve been reading recently about the 6, 7 phenomenon, and, at the door this evening, a boy of about 8 ran up to me and said, “I’m going to tell you a joke. Six!”

And I burst out, “Six seven!“ He seemed to be equal parts thrilled that I knew his joke and sad because I knew his joke. I, on the other hand, was completely thrilled because I didn’t think I would ever have the chance!

It took less than an hour for all the sweets in both big boxes to have been taken, though each child was very well behaved and only took one from the box. I am torn between buying 4 big boxes next year and being quite happy to remove the mask and the long black coat, put up my hair and hide from all the kids running up and down the pavement after only and hour!