Joe and Clara’s Christmas Countdown. Katey Lovell

her lips. She loved French Fancies. They reminded her of childhood birthday parties, the bright icing drizzled with purest white zig-zagged lines brought back happy memories.

      Deirdre shook her head. ‘Own brand.’

      ‘Oh.’

      Clara was momentarily disappointed, until Joe strode into the room, a woven jute bag in each hand.

      He held them up proudly. ‘More supplies!’ he announced.

      Deirdre smiled half-heartedly. ‘You been busy doing more baking, Joe? You shouldn’t have.’

      ‘Oh no,’ Joe laughed. ‘It took me hours to make that chocolate monstrosity, there was no chance I was going to do any more baking. I got Mum to make something instead. She hadn’t realised the cake sale was tonight until I told her – she’d written it in the wrong space on the calendar.’

      ‘Oh, she’s a star finding time to bake like that.’

      ‘She appreciates the work the club does so she’ll always make time to support it as best she can. Plus, she’s the vicar’s wife. Baking’s what she does best,’ he joked.

      ‘I’d better go and look for that book of raffle tickets,’ Clara said, picking up her handbag. She didn’t fancy her chances of finding them, though. The stationery cupboard was a disaster area. ‘Are they where they were left after the summer fun day?’

      ‘In the box with the receipt book,’ Deirdre confirmed. ‘And make sure people buy plenty,’ she added. ‘Don’t let anyone get away with single tickets, make them buy a strip. Channel your inner sales girl.’