Towering cake for a 40 year old

I am delighted to tell you that this cake tasted as good as it looked. When served, it was split with folk getting one half or the other of each slice. I had wondered how we would manage with a very thin, very long slice of cake.
More to the point, our lovely friend Daniel celebrated his birthday in a grown up and intimate setting with many of his friends - and all without our kids. As two of his newer set of friends, we were glad to be invited.