The Cotswolds Cookery Club: A Taste of France - Book 3. Alice Ross

But, before I depress myself too much thinking about my ideal life, going back to my less-than-ideal one, I wanted to thank you all for the other evening. I know my house is never a good venue for the cookery club, but me being semi-comatose didn’t help at all.’

      ‘Your house is great fun,’ said Melody.

      Kate rolled her eyes. ‘I wish. It’s a nightmare. And completely exhausting. But it was wonderful having you lot there and not having to lift a finger. And even more wonderful having a decent night’s sleep. I really appreciate the trouble you all went to. And… to show my appreciation, Jemima and I made these.’ She snapped the lid off the plastic box to reveal six rows of misshapen cupcakes – some sprinkled with chocolate, others dotted with jelly tots, one with a bite out, and a couple with holes from exploring fingers.

      ‘They look great,’ giggled Melody. ‘Gold star to Jemima. Does this mean we’ll be signing her up for the cookery club soon?’

      ‘Possibly. For no other reason than giving her a break from the twins. The poor thing is completely overshadowed by them.’

      ‘Bless her,’ said Melody, as they all turned to watch Jemima gently stroking the dogs. And then turned to the twins, who were beside themselves with laugher as Amber swung Mia around by the arms. ‘I can see how that would happen. The twins do attract a lot of attention.’

      ‘Mostly for the wrong reasons,’ pointed out Kate.

      ‘I know,’ piped up Melody. ‘How about we have a little cookery club just for Jemima? Here, now? I’d planned on throwing a few sausages and burgers on the barbecue, but I’m sure we can think of something more exciting to go with them.’

      ‘Like crepes,’ suggested Kate. ‘They’re in keeping with our French theme and Jemima loves them.’

      ‘Brilliant idea. I have a gorgeous recipe for banana pancakes with chocolate sauce,’ said Trish. ‘I often rattle up a couple for Amber as a treat.’

      ‘Ooh, they sound gorgeous,’ said Connie. ‘And we could make some nice salads. Jemima can mix the dressings.’

      ‘Ooh. She’s going to love it,’ said Kate, beaming at her friends. ‘Let me go and tell her.’

      Kate hated to admit it, but it had been a long time since she’d seen Jemima so happy. Her little face had lit up brighter than Blackpool when she’d been informed of the impromptu cookery club to be held in her honour. And while the twins, wedged into armbands and inflatable rings, splashed about in the pool with Amber, their older sibling revelled in the attention in Melody’s kitchen. In her little spotted swimsuit she sprinkled parmesan over golden barbecued corn, and stirred together mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard and salt and pepper for the potato salad dressing. On a part-sliced crusty white baton, she smeared garlic butter mixed with pesto and basil, then wrapped the bread in foil ready for the barbecue. With a pastry brush, she coated hot dogs in a sweet and sour glaze before they were whipped off to be grilled. And she threaded halloumi, yellow peppers, courgettes and cherry tomatoes onto skewers, before chucking some shallots, capers, olive oil, garlic and a handful of herbs into the food processor to make a dressing for the kebabs.