Aunt Polixene made really good cakes. It didn’t matter that they came out of a box. It was the love that she poured into them that made them taste good. Like my great aunt, I’m a big fan of the add an egg and water brand of baking. Unless it’s one of my children’s birthdays, on which occasion I’ll pull out all the stops, put on a pinny and make a cake from scratch. What frustrates me though, as they get older, is how different our taste in cakes are. While I picture layers of vanilla sponge smothered in buttermilk frosting and topped with fresh peonies and macarons, they see pirate ships and Disney princesses. With Iole’s birthday coming up, I showed her a Victoria sponge cake with piles of mascarpone and fresh strawberries sandwiched between each layer. She scoffed at that. How about this lovely cake, I suggested. Non. She has her heart set on a candyfloss pink princess Barbie cake. Which is what most little girls want when they’re a smidgen shy of six. It will take me a week, and make her day. Auntie P. would be proud as punch.