Instead of getting each other birthday presents this year, my friend Sarah and I decided we’d go out for a meal with Sarah suggesting Haighton Manor. I’d been to weddings there in the past but never dined in the restaurant, so it was a great suggestion as I’d wanted to return for a while.

The Manor looked stunning as we drove into the car park. Lit up with Christmas lights as we walked inside, the decorations continued throughout the restaurant making a beautifully festive setting. We were taken to our table through a busy restaurant which soon became quite full.

Sarah was having an operation the following day so whilst choosing our food, we had a delightful conversation about how this could be her last supper and I was given some instructions in case she didn’t wake up, one of which was her funeral song, ‘Time to say Goodbye.’ Insert rolling around laughing emoji here. It took me a while to pick my food.

I was still thinking about her send off when our drinks arrived. There was a good selection of beers, wines and spirits on the bar so something for almost everyone. Sarah had a Moretti and Lime, and I opted for a Malfi Blood Orange Gin with Lemonade.

Food wise, there was a set festive menu as well as the a la carte offerings, so I went with the Pigs in Blankets in a Honey and Mustard Glaze (£6.95) and Sarah the Chicken Liver Pâté, Carrot and Apricot Chutney and Toasted Bloomer. (£8.45). Sarah really enjoyed the pâté starter, I thought my pigs in blankets were very nice but quite sweet and wouldn’t have been out of place on a festive brunch plate with pancakes and syrup.

For main, I went for the Appleby’s Cheshire Cheese, Onion and Potato Pie with Buttered Greens and Gravy (£16.95) and Sarah chose the Roast Turkey with Traditional Accompaniments (£22.45) specifically asking for no grey meat. She just doesn’t like it apparently, so I was hoping for no grey turkey to appear on that last supper plate. Unfortunately, it did, but after mentioning it, they quickly brought some white turkey over. The grey turkey made its way to my side plate, with the stuffing that Sarah also isn’t keen on. Hoorah for me. All the food was delicious, the pie was excellent but we both thought, for the price, they could’ve been more generous with the vegetables. That said, it meant we had room for dessert.

The Dark Chocolate and Orange Marmalade Arctic Slice (£8.95) was a chocolate orange lover’s dream, I’m so glad I picked it. Yum yum. Sarah had Sticky Toffee Pudding (£8.45) and thoroughly enjoyed it. I think she’s probably tried every sticky toffee pudding in Lancashire so that’s a compliment.

We both had coffee with our desserts and the total came to £92.45 so it was an expensive do, but the only thing we could fault was the lack of trimmings with the mains. The service was great bar the grey turkey which was sorted quickly, and the setting was beautiful, it was a special occasion after all. The main thing was Sarah’s last supper was a success, and we had a lovely evening. We also received a separate envelope with our bill which can’t be opened until you revisit in the new year. Inside is a gift of either quarter, half, or all of the bill paid for. Great incentive and we’ve fallen for the psychology, so we’ll be going back in the new year with a couple of other friends.

Time to say goodbye. If you’re wondering, Sarah survived.

What would your last supper be?