Although she had kept up her rate of work since the Springtime Show, she was beginning to lose hope that she’d have enough work to fill a stall respectably at the World of Wool. She had a good reputation as a weaver which meant all sorts of people would go to that event just to see what she was doing these days. There’d be fellow weavers, teachers, potential customers and just friends – she had to have enough good work or she might as well phone in sick. This was not something that self-employed artists could ever do! Jago had suggested wall hangings but she found herself completely lacking in inspiration. She wanted to display work she believed in, even if it was different from what she usually did.

She came into her old home through the back door to see her mother frowning at something on the kitchen table. Ulysses, the cat, was shut in his cat basket. As he quite often slept in there through choice this wasn’t actually cruel but this time the door was closed. This was unusual. She went over to the kitchen table on which was an enormous cake.

‘Mum? What is this? And what is it supposed to be?’

‘Can’t you tell? I’ve had to shut Uly up in case his hairs got in it.’ Her mother sounded tired and disappointed.

Helena looked at the cake a bit more carefully. ‘Oh! I get it now! It’s a landscape, from above. And you’ve put in all the fields and hedges and the river. And the mountains. It’s amazing! It’s just like when we were little and you made us such brilliant cakes. I love your hedgerows made out of chocolate flakes. I don’t like those shop-made cakes that are all smooth and professional but you know they won’t taste nice.’

‘I’m not a big fondant-icing fan either,’ said Gilly, looking more relaxed now.

‘Look!’ said Helena. ‘There’s a little caravan. Do you remember the caravan cake you made me for my Sylvanian Families? And a duck pond! With little ducklings!’

‘I did get a bit carried away, I must admit. Once I’d started I couldn’t stop adding detail.’

‘You are so talented! You should enter Bake Off.’

‘It’s only a cake! Now, find yourself a towel in the airing cupboard and have your bath. I’ll make you an omelette when you come down.’

‘A Mummy-omelette! Yes please. Jago’s out or I’d have brought him round for one, too.’

‘Has he gone anywhere nice?’ asked Gilly.

‘Just a meeting, I think. He didn’t seem overjoyed to be going.’

‘Oh,’ said Gilly. ‘You go and have your bath then. I’ll see how you’re doing before I start cooking.’

Helena gave her mother a hug before going upstairs.