Free The Bake Off by Susan Willis

moist blob, and her hair looked completely bedraggled. She groaned and opened her handbag to do some quick repairs with her make-up kit. The thought that David had seen her looking such a mess, especially when he looked his best, made her cringe.
    ***
    Shortly before two o’clock Gemma, Simon and herself were ushered by a crewman into the large ceremony hall attached to the university. The walls in the old building were panelled in dark oak wood and rows of red velour chairs were placed in front of the small stage. The director led them up onto the stage where they were joined by the other original ten contestants who greeted them warmly.
    They’d each been issued with two guest invitations for the ceremony and she quickly spotted Jay and Susan sitting in the front row and some colleagues from the library further back in the hall. Simon pointed out his sister to Nicola who gave them all a cheery wave.
    While Nicola chatted with Thomas, she saw Simon talking to Gemma who pointed out a group of her pupils from school sitting behind Simon’s sister.
    Simon said to Gemma, ‘I’d have thought to see your parents here from Leeds?’
    Gemma’s shoulders curled over her chest and she stared down at the floor. ‘Nah, they wouldn’t do that. It would mean they’d have to stay off the alcohol and drugs for the day,’ she muttered. ‘And that would be too much to ask of them. I’ve been in and out of care homes most of my childhood while they spent every penny of benefit on their addictions.’
    ‘Good heavens,’ Simon exclaimed gently. ‘How awful…’
    ‘Sorry, I shouldn’t have blurted all that out. It’s just when I saw your loved ones here to support you it made me feel bitter.’ She pulled her shoulders back and lifted her chin. ‘I don’t usually think of them at all now and have put the past well and truly behind me.’
    Awkwardly, Simon patted her shoulder. ‘Well done. At least the children are rooting for you – you’re obviously their favourite teacher.’
    David strode onto the stage smiling and waving at the audience. The packed room full of people began to clap and the director and crewmen stood to the side of the stage while the camera was filming.
    ‘Afternoon, everyone,’ he called out cheerfully. ‘Thank you all for coming along to the award ceremony for our first Bake Off competition. And I do hope you’ll all be watching it on TV when it’s shown next month.’
    Nicola looked at the back of David as he walked in front of them and decided there wasn’t one angle where he didn’t look good. He introduced the other ten contestants and made funny remarks about their attempts at puff pastry. Thomas held up his large hands to which the audience laughed loudly. He then told everyone how he’d been amazed at the high standards of baking in the competition and the director gesticulated at the audience to give the contestants another round of applause.
    ‘Now I’d like to introduce our guest judge in the bake off – it’s Jessica Gallagher.’
    Jessica walked onto the stage smiling and carrying a large silver award while the whole audience clapped and cheered loudly. Placing the award on a small table she stood next to David and told everyone how good it was to be in the North East and how much she’d enjoyed judging the first ever bake off competition.
    ‘I’d just like to read out some of the comments we’ve made about the three finalists because it’s been such a strong competition. David and I have been overwhelmed with such excellent bakes which, in turn, has made judging a difficult challenge,’ she said smiling at all three finalists. ‘Simon, your white chocolate and raspberry bread and butter pudding was a new twist on a traditional pudding which was very impressive.’
    Simon’s face flushed bright red when his sister raised her hands above her head and clapped loudly.
    When the noise subsided Jessica continued, ‘And Gemma, David thought the lavender cake with violet