Nodding, she went to take a closer look. The surface was smooth and not like the Moscow snow she had played in. That only looked smooth when it first fell but soon it was icy and dirty.

‘Here’s some icing so that you can place the figures on. Do you know where they should go?’

‘Yes.’ She pictured the whole scene in her head. From her bedroom window in Moscow she could see a dome of gold. Diana and her dolls would sit for hours just watching the snow fall. It fell so quietly from the grey skies. She picked up the church with the blue and gold dome, placing it on the far side of the cake, securing it as Mrs Hoskine had taught her with a spoonful of icing. Then she put the dolls all together in a line as if they were holding hands, making a family. When she was finished, she took a step back. ‘It’s done, and I’ve left plenty of room for the candles.’

‘Do you think we’ll fit thirty-six candles on there?’

‘Well, last year you fitted thirty-five and we had sailboats on top.’

‘True, very true.’ Mrs. Hoskine sliced a chicken and put the slices into a box. Diana looked for the scones. ‘They are already in the basket, young lady. Have you packed your things for the day out?’

She shook her head and raced up the back stairs, stopping halfway to look through the lantern light. She could see only blue sky. Hopefully the wind was picking up.

In her room she threw her swimming costume, her Guernsey jumper and a pair of trousers in a cloth bag. She pulled her diary out from under the mattress and began to write.

Dear Diary,

I helped Mrs Hoskine pack the food for the sailing trip. I think Mr Martin had been right about people with sore heads. But Mummy looked happy as she came downstairs clutching her notebook. Once everyone was out sailing, she will sit down with Mrs Hoskine and review all the yummy food for tonight’s party. I love being here in Boskenna because the food is so good.

She jumped up to look out of the window. The flag was beginning to move. Daddy was correct. He would want to know what it would be on the Beaufort scale. Earlier this week he’d had to remind her what that was because she had forgotten. Right now, it was one or two but hopefully by eleven o’clock it would be three or four.

This morning he lifted me onto his shoulders then we walked down the path and through the gate to the beach. He scanned the water looking for pirates, I think. But we only saw Mummy swimming.