‘OK, well, anything I can do to help…?’ She briefly wondered if she should offer to have the party in her house but then decided it would look pushy. If William didn’t fancy her it would be awful – for him and for her.

‘Well, you can come, and – if it wouldn’t be too much trouble – make a cake? I’m sure I could get someone else to make one but I thought you’d make a much nicer one.’

‘Of course! I’d be happy to. What sort of cake do you think he’d like? Sponge? Fruit? Chocolate?’

‘Actually what he’d really love is one in the shape of a glider. It’s his hobby, you know.’

This was a bit of a shock. ‘I’d been thinking of a nice chocolate sponge with his name on it in white buttercream? Perhaps some candles?’

‘Yes, a glider made out of chocolate sponge would be brilliant! Thank you so much, Gilly. I knew I could rely on you.’

Gilly’s murmured appreciation of Daphne’s faith was a bit half-hearted.

‘It’s going to be a surprise party, you know,’ Daphne went on.

‘Oh!’ Gilly’s protective instincts broke through her desire to seem helpful and supportive at all times. ‘Are you sure he’d like that? I mean, not everyone has the temperament for a surprise party.’ She’d been to a couple when the person was obviously not at all happy to have their friends jump out from behind bushes when they were unprepared and not wearing their make-up. ‘William is quite … sensitive?’ That wasn’t the right word; it made him sound like a poet. ‘I mean, he’s got a quiet personality. There’s nothing of the showman about him.’

‘It’ll be fine! Don’t you worry. He’ll be delighted. You just get that cake made.’

‘You haven’t given me a date?’

‘Oh, sorry! Tuesday next week OK for you?’

‘Yes,’ said Gilly faintly.

‘And I’m arranging a minibus to pick everyone up so no one has to worry about drinking and driving.’

Although she hadn’t said as much, Gilly sensed that Daphne felt it was a bit silly to worry about drinking and driving.

‘Great!’ Maybe she could get the cake to the venue beforehand. Otherwise she’d be stuck in the back of a minibus with the cake on her knees. If it hadn’t had to be a glider she could have put the cake in the special container she’d bought from a party years ago and had used at least twice. As it was, it would be more complicated.

‘So I’ll be back with all the details soon,’ said Daphne. ‘Lovely to chat to you! Byeee!’