"If he does," says Hilary, "he's keeping quiet about 'em. Laney, make yourself useful and get the book, there's a dear. I don't really keep a recipe file," she explains to Bella. "I have books, and then I... innovate. Feel free to take notes."

"Cake book?" asks Alice. "Or the other cake book?"

"Well, that depends," says Hilary. "How adventurous are we feeling today?"