This is mainly a fantasy, as in the real world, all the people you would like to get together for tea and cakes and plenty of undisturbed talking one afternoon are all far too busy. You are probably far too busy yourself.

Anyway, in this fantasy, all your best loved friends are gathered together, without a care in the world, all chatting away and eating delicious cakes and drinking tea, you’ll have all your best crockery out and there’ll be flowers on the table. No one will be on a diet or have a food allergy and no one will have to rush off. If there are any children in the party, they will be sweet and funny and behave beautifully and any babies will sleep peacefully, waking up occasionally to gurgle adorably for a few moments before snoozing off again.

Here are some suggestions as to what to serve in case you ever do manage to pull off such an event. You never know, it could happen - on a special birthday or anniversary perhaps!

You may just want to have tea and cakes or you may want some delicate little savouries as well. Make sure you provide your friends’ favourite things but you may like to include some of the following:

Delicate crustless sandwiches cut into triangles – possibly Egg and Cress, Smoked Salmon, Cucumber or Cream Cheese and Cucumber

Something chocolatey – a large Chocolate Cake to cut at, Little Chocolate Cakes or Chocolate Butterflies, Brownie Buns or Simple and Sneaky Millionaire’s Shortbread

Something lemony – a large Lemon Cake to cut at, Lemon Drizzle Cake or Lemon Curd Tarts

Strawberries during the summer – either in little bowls with a jug of cream to pass round, or simply arranged on a plate with any larger ones cut in half, or Strawberry Tarts

You may also like to include some Scones, already split and spread with jam and a dollop of cream or possibly a few Pastries or some Homemade Meringues

You can have a large pot of tea on the go: Earl Grey, perhaps, and put out an array of fruit or herb teas in the kitchen and let people make their own if they prefer something else.

By Mrs Simkins, author of Cooking with Mrs Simkins. Visit www.cooking-with-mrssimkins.co.uk and www.tea-with-mrssimkins.co.uk