Did your Mother ever leave a Plate of dinner in the oven for when your Father came home?
I do not ever remember my Father sitting down to Tea, (Dinner) with us.
He always had meetings to go to, being high up in the Union Movement. After the Meetings it was to the local pub until closing time.
Mum/Nan always saved his Tea, covered in foil, in the oven. Got thrown out every morning.
One of the reasons my Father died early with cirrhosis. He ate very little and drank to excess every night.