“Welcome, everyone, to the district Cancer Council fundraiser. Our stalls are open for business so please open your wallets and purses and dig deep.” There was a crackle and a squeal then Nancy was back. “And Mr Brown would like all participants for the bike-a-thon to meet at the southern end of the oval immediately. More information will be broadcast as it comes to hand. Enjoy the day.” There was a final loud thud, a scratching sound and then music began to play.

Natalie just had time to give Veronica a thumbs-up at her plant stall next door before a crowd of people gathered in front of the cake stall. Immediately the combined baking efforts of Natalie, Laura and Olive were being snapped up.

Surprisingly, Fran from the bakery was one of the first to buy some cakes. “I love the names you’ve thought up,” she said as she picked up a tray of Laura’s Luscious Lamingtons and another of Milton’s Mouth-watering Melting Moments.

“It was Laura’s idea,” Natalie said as she took Fran’s money. “She thought it made everything sound much more tempting.”

“Anything you make is tempting, Nat,” Fran said. “Perhaps I’ll have to get Joe to rename some of our buns at the bakery.”

“Your pies all have exotic names, why not your buns?”

“What about Fran’s Fancy Finger Buns?” Olive pitched in.

Fran chuckled and moved on and the next person stepped up.

Nancy was back at the loudspeaker letting everyone know the hair shaving and cutting was about to begin in the central marquee. Laura had offered to do the cutting, one of the girls from a local salon was doing the head shaves and the volunteers from the wig library had brought some wigs along for people to try. Some had chosen to have their hair dyed bright pink before the event and were helping gee up the crowd.

Olive took out some more cakes from the boxes of extras they’d brought. “I think Laura went a bit over the side when she named these,” she said as she set two cakes down in a space on the table. “I didn’t even make them. Everyone knows orange cake is your speciality.”

Natalie grinned at the names Laura had stuck on. “I think Olive’s Out of this World Orange Cake is perfect. It’s your recipe I always use. And anyway, Milt certainly didn’t make the melting moments.”

“Laura’s worked hard for today,” Olive said. “I know everyone has but she’s gone the extra distance.”

“She certainly has.” Natalie took in the pretty checked bunting strung along the front of their table that Laura had insisted would add some style to their cake stall and had roped Natalie into sewing together the previous night. “She’s got an eye for detail.”

Paul strode past with a folder in his hand and gave them a brief wave.