“Of course I know my name.” Uncle Gerald looked a little stern then he reached over and patted Paula’s hand. “I know I have a little trouble hearing sometimes but I’ve still got all my marbles. Thanks for the cuppa.” He lowered Tarzan to the floor and rose to his feet. “Say hello to Dan for me. He’s a good lad. Works very hard.” Uncle Gerald half turned towards Rowena and gave her a perfunctory nod before he shuffled out

Paula held Tarzan until she heard the back door close. Once she let him go the dog did two circles of his cushion in front of the old stove, settled his head on his paws and closed his eyes.

Rowena cleared away Uncle Gerald’s cup and replaced it with her own before she sat down next to Paula. She waved her fingers at the plate of cakes. “I brought some sweets over for you to try. I’ve done some cooking for the wedding. I thought we’d have a small wedding cake and then a selection of cakes and slices.”

Paula looked at the plate of food on the table. It was loaded with little jelly cakes, brandy snaps, slices and other dainty little cakes she didn’t know the names for. The nausea was all but gone but she hadn’t regained an appetite for sugary treats.

“They look lovely, Rowena, but I’m still not eating much sweet food.”

Rowena patted her hand. “You poor thing. At least you’ve got a bit of colour in your cheeks again. You were looking quite pasty there for a while.” She turned the pretty china plate of cakes around. “I don’t know about the brandy snaps. It could be very hot in February. There’s cream in the jelly cakes, that might be enough.”

“Are you going to cook them now and freeze them?”

“No, I’ll make them closer to the day. I just thought I’d do some planning now. Dan can have these. He loves sweet things.” Rowena stood up and stirred the contents of the saucepan again.

“Is there anything I can do?” Paula asked.

“I thought I’d get your dinner going while I was making Uncle Gerald a cup of tea. I could see you’d made a bit of a start. I’ve added in a few things. It should be fine to simmer now.” She reached down and adjusted the knob on the stove.

Paula gritted her teeth. “I meant for the wedding. Can I do some cooking for you?”

“Oh, no, dear.” Rowena dismissed her. “I also came to bring you some other bits and pieces. I’ve been having a clean out. I’ll just pop out to the car and get them.”