Fruitcake- Melissa makes a start on her baking list with fruitcake for Kamran's school fete. December 4th. Melissa's point of view.

It's nearly 3pm when Sam brings the ingredients for Kamran's fruitcakes for the school fete tomorrow. I text him the list yesterday of what I needed and I was surprised he remembered everything and even remembered greaseproof paper which I hadn't asked for as I already had plenty at home. The fete is tomorrow and I let the team know that I would be baking today so if they texted it may be a while before I responded but arranged for Sam to pick the fruitcakes up tonight at 9 allowing myself a few hours to get the cakes done. The plan is to make up 4 cakes in total, 3 for the fete and the 1 that I specified for the team when Sam asked me to bake. I can fit 2 in the oven at a time so I quickly get started once the ingredients arrive and as I get started Sam takes his leave. I've already lined the tins with greaseproof paper and preheated the oven to 140°C which will save some time. The margarine was put in the fridge as Sam kept double checking the timing of everything and I didn't want it to get too soft. I head to my fridge keen to start and look at my baking list momentarily for Christmas which is stuck on my fridge door with magnets. Kensi and Nell were asking me what was on the list only this morning at our weekly coffee meeting.

Christmas Cookies

Gingerbread men

Mince pies

Peppermint Creams

Yule log

Pumpkin Pie

Fruitcake

Fruitcake- Check! I open the fridge door and grab out the 1kg margarine tub and eggs. I measure out the ingredients quickly. I'm doing 2 cakes at a time to make it easier on myself. Double the normal weights.

400g of margarine, 700g Muscavado sugar, 6 eggs, 300ml Buttermilk and 700g each of Sultanas and currants with 200g of flaked almonds on the side for all 4 cakes as decoration to finish. I mix everything except the almonds in a large bowl and mix them thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and glossy. I know when it's ready and then spoon the mixtures into 2 of the waiting tins levelling off the surface before placing them into the oven and setting the timer for 3 hours 15 minutes. Now for the wait…

I mix up the next batch of mixture as I wait with the same amount of ingredients. I may as well be efficient in the timing. I check on the cakes when the timer goes and find them to be ready. Whenever I bake I place a place a cocktail stick into the centre and if it comes out clean the cake or biscuits are done. It's a simple method but it's effective. Cakes 3 and 4 go in the oven and I allow the first 2 cakes to cool in their tins. I use the time to write out Christmas cards and answer the multiple texts off Sam and G asking me how the baking is going. There's no point doing nothing while I wait… Cakes 3 and 4 take the same amount of time in the oven and by the time the timer goes off again I have my kitchen cleaned up, the equipment I used all washed up and I'm wrapping up the first 2 cakes in greaseproof paper and foil as the knock comes on the front door. I shout over to come in and that the door's open. Sam and G peer in around the door and G immediately saunters in as the smell of the cakes lures him in. I was expecting it to be just Sam but have noticed G comes over a lot when I bake. I let Sam inspect the 3rd cake for the fete now nicely decorated with almonds on the top like the others before wrapping that one up too.

'They look great.' Sam compliments me. 'Thank you.'

'You're welcome Sam.' I answer him before swatting G's hand away as he tries to pick at an almond on the cake that is meant for the whole team. He feigns hurt but is still smiling. Sometimes I think him and Deeks are like overgrown children when it comes to my baking. I had to kick Deeks out of my kitchen last year when Kensi, Nell and I made cookies.

'What was that for?' G asks me.

'Hands off.' I warn him. 'Team cake not just yours.'

'Good luck with that one…' Sam jokes as he picks up the 3 cakes for the fete and heads for the door. I should have known Sam would leave me to defend that last cake from G's clutches.

'Traitor!' I shout jokingly as he disappears out the door leaving G and I in my kitchen. Now the fun starts….