Summer at Rachel's Pudding Pantry

by Caroline Roberts

  ‘What? I can’t believe it, not Eve. Are … are you sure?’ Jill was incredulous.

  ‘Yes, I have to say I did a double take myself. Stopped a while to check if it really was Eve. I was over in Bamburgh with young Luke and I just happened to look in at that new gallery place. And there they were.’ Brenda paused, seeing Jim the taxi driver pull up across the way and then nip into the post office. ‘Oh, Jill, Ben’ll be devastated if he learns of this. I’m sure it must have just been a mistake. I wonder if Rachel could maybe have a word with Eve, with them being close … find out what’s going on. Make her see sense.’

  ‘Yes, perhaps.’ Jill was still struggling to get to grips with the news.

  ‘Or, heaven forbid, if there’s a bust-up around the time of the wedding, at least it won’t be quite such a shock if you and Rachel are in the know. I’m sorry to put this on you, Jill.’

  ‘I see.’ Jill was still processing it. It seemed so unlike family-minded Eve.

  ‘I’ve not spoken a word of it to anyone else,’ Brenda assured. ‘It’s their marriage at the end of the day, but well, it seems so out of character. She’s a good girl at heart, is Eve. Hopefully, I’ve read it all wrong. But it looked like much more than a friendly kiss on the cheek.’

  ‘Well, thanks for letting me know, Brenda. I’ll think about it and maybe have a word with Rachel.’ Jill really wasn’t sure whether it should be before the wedding, though. There was already so much on her daughter’s plate right now. After a further chat about the up-and-coming wedding, and family life in general, the two women said their goodbyes, and Jill bustled off up the quiet street to do her chores, her head swimming with the revelation.

  What they hadn’t been aware of, however, was that in a car parked just two spaces from where they were standing talking, was a certain Vanessa Palmer-Pilkington – gossipmonger extraordinaire. Her window had been wound down, with it being such a warm day, and she had been waiting for her husband to come back from the newsagent’s. Juicy snippets of the conversation had drifted on the breeze to her raised and ready ear: ‘Have a word … with Rachel’; ‘a bust-up at the time of the wedding’ and ‘another man’. Two and two were put together to make a mighty one hundred and it wouldn’t be long before village tongues would begin to wag.

  35

  ‘Hi, Granny, it’s Rachel.’

  Rachel stepped through the cottage hallway, which was decorated with jugs of pastel-coloured sweet peas.

  ‘Ah, come on in, lass. I’m just here in the sitting room … catching up with Escape to the Country.’

  Rachel popped her head around the door.

  ‘Hello, pet.’ Granny was looking rather pale beneath her smile. Her illness last winter had really taken its toll. Despite her age, it was unusual to see her sitting down at this time of the afternoon. ‘Yes, they’re in the Cotswolds today, pretty enough place, but not a patch on what we have up here.’

  Rachel went to stand beside her. ‘No, I don’t suppose it is.’

  ‘It’s a hidden gem we have up here in the Scottish borders.’ She gave a wink of her wise old blue eyes, ‘and let’s keep it that way, hey lass. Anyway, you won’t get me moving again. I’ll be coming out of this wee cottage feet first, I tell you.’

  ‘Oh Granny, don’t talk like that.’

  ‘Well, I’m not going to live for ever, hinnie.’ Ruth was down to earth as always.

  ‘Yes, but we’ve got a wedding to look forward to and happier times. And … on that note, I’ll go and put the kettle on, as there’s something I want to ask you.’

  ‘Sounds important.’

  ‘It is,’ answered Rachel with a knowing smile, not giving anything away. ‘I’ve brought you those eggs that you asked for, by the way, and there’s a summer pudding that Mum’s made.’

  ‘Oh, that’s grand. Yes, I’ve been busy baking again this week. Made a load of buns and a sponge cake for the stall at the coffee morning for the toddler group.’ It made Granny happy to bake for others, and to help the community in her own small but lovely way.

  With that, Rachel set off for the kitchen. She hoped Granny would be pleased when she came out with her question. It might not be easy for either of them, but it was the only thing that felt right …

  With the tea pot set up on a tray, and cups and saucers set out the old-fashioned way, Granny pottered through to the kitchen to help Rachel dig out the cakes. There was a Madeira cake and some rock buns. She sliced the cake and set out two gorgeous yellow squares on a plate; their Primrose Farm free-range eggs were always wonderfully good for baking and gave such a golden colour.

  Settled back in the living room, with Rachel seated on the slightly worn, but very comfy sofa, and Ruth in her high-backed armchair, Rachel let out a deep breath. ‘So, Granny, I’ve been thinking … and … I know who I’d love to walk me down the aisle at my wedding. So, I thought I’d come and run it past you.’

  ‘Okay, lass …’ Granny looked up.

  ‘You.’ Rachel beamed.

  ‘Me? Are you sure …? Well, we won’t be going very fast!’

  Rachel laughed. ‘That’s fine. We’ll be in no rush … everybody will be gawping at my dress then, for sure.’

  ‘Oh, yes, I haven’t seen it yet. Eve’s made it, hasn’t she? I bet it’s beautiful.’

  ‘It really is. I’m not really a dress person, as you know, happier in my jeans and wellies, but … wow.’

  ‘Oh, I can’t wait to see you in it.’

  ‘So, will you do it? Look, I know it’s going to be hard for us …’ She paused, catching her breath, ‘as dad can’t be there himself … but it just feels kind of right. You’re his mother, and my best support. But if you think it’ll be too emotional, too difficult …’ She didn’t want to make Ruth feel obliged to do anything she wasn’t comfortable with.

  ‘Oh, lass, I’d love to do it. That’s if you don’t mind some old bid being there by your side?’

  ‘I can’t think of anyone better. It might end up being a bit teary, mind.’ She was welling up just thinking about it already. It was definitely going to be an emotional day.

  ‘Aye, well … that’s only natural, in the circumstances. Of course, if that’s what you want, I’ll be there beside you, lass …’

  ‘… every step of the way,’ Rachel took up, trying to stop herself getting too choked up.

  ‘Yes, every doddery step.’ Granny gave a warm smile. ‘Ah, bless you pet … there’ll be tears and laughter on the day, for sure. But we’ll be certain to have a grand old time. Robert would want that and he’d be so proud of you.’

  Rachel found that any words were stuck in her throat then, so she just nodded. For all the hurt and grief, she felt happy too. The Swinton ladies were taking life forward – without their gorgeous dad, husband, son – one doddery yet forceful step at a time.

  Rachel headed home via Eve’s to collect Maisy from her tea-time play date with Amelia. She was looking forward to catching up with her best friend, who’d been rather elusive these past few days.

  ‘Hi-i.’ After rapping on the door, she stepped into her friend’s house.

  ‘Hi, there.’ Eve came out into the hallway to greet her, looking slightly flushed.

  ‘All okay?’

  ‘Yeah, the girls have been great. They’re out playing in the garden. They’ve made a den.’

  The friends walked out through the back door of the cottage.

  ‘Mum-my,’ Maisy dashed over. ‘We had fish fingers and peas and chips, and ice cream with strawberries. Yummy. I ate all mine up.’

  ‘Sounds great.’

  ‘And look, come see our house.’ She laced her fingers through Rachel’s, tugging at her to follow her. A den had been created from a tented sheet draped over the wooden picnic table. Eve had pinned some bunting up inside for them, adorning the underside of the table, and there were dolls, animal toys, a mini tractor and some flowers, now wilting, evidently picked from Eve’s garden borders. Rachel raised her eyebrows, hoping the girls hadn’t just t
aken it upon themselves to raid the flowerbeds.

  ‘It’s okay,’ Eve chuckled, spotting her concern, ‘I said they could pick a few flowers.’

  ‘It’s a wedding,’ announced Maisy with delight.

  ‘And this is the tent like you’re going to have,’ added Amelia animatedly.

  ‘Ah, yes, now I see … a tipi.’

  ‘Told you it was a ti-pi.’ Maisy crossed her arms huffily, as though the girls had had a difference of opinion earlier.

  ‘Well, it is a kind of tent too, Maisy.’ Rachel didn’t want any falling outs.

  ‘We can’t wait to be your bridesmaids, Auntie Rachel. We’ve been practising,’ said Amelia.

  ‘They’ve been traipsing up and down the garden with nighties on over their school uniforms,’ Eve grinned.

  ‘Aw, bless them.’ They were on real countdown now, with only ten days to go.

  ‘Do you want a coffee or anything, Rach?’ Despite asking, Eve looked slightly uneasy, as though fearful of having too much time to talk.

  ‘Yes, just a quick one, if that’s okay? That’d be great.’ Rachel had already had her fill of tea at Granny’s house, but she felt as if it might finally give them a chance to have a heart-to-heart.

  ‘Okay, cool. Umm, Ben’ll be home any time soon, too.’

  Was that a warning not to get too personal? For Rachel not to probe?

  ‘Tea or coffee then, hun?’ Eve raised a smile.

  ‘A coffee would be great.’

  ‘Yeah, I’ll just make it, and then let’s go sit in the sunshine with the girls, shall we?’

  ‘Sounds good.’

  Rachel followed Eve to her galley kitchen, hoping a moment in private might just be the spur Eve needed, but the conversation stuck closely with the wedding. Eve chattering on a little nervously: Did Rachel want another dress fitting at the weekend, for any final tweaks?, How was she feeling?, How were things now with Tom?

  Rachel answered, telling her friend how relieved she was that she and Tom were so much more at ease with each other again; it was as though a black cloud had been lifted.

  ‘And you and Ben?’ Rachel asked, seeing her opening.

  ‘Ah, we’re fine. All good here.’ Eve didn’t meet Rachel’s eye, and carried on spooning coffee granules into the mugs. ‘Oh … I’ve made some shortbreads,’ she said, swiftly changing tack. ‘I’ve experimented with adding a little fresh lavender to them. It was a tip I remembered from my nanna. You can be my taste tester, if you like.’

  ‘Sure.’ Rachel could spot a diversionary tactic a mile off, but the biscuits did look delightful.

  They were soon sitting out in the garden, listening to their daughters’ chatter, sipping coffee and eating the delicately fragrant lavender shortbreads, whilst taking in the glorious green-field view across the valley, clouds billowing like pillows above them.

  ‘These are delicious, Eve. Who’d have thought?’ Rachel was definitely going to borrow that recipe from Eve for the Pantry.

  ‘Thanks. Well, let’s hope you get a gorgeous sunny day like this, Rach. Not long to go now, hun …’

  ‘Yeah.’ Rachel felt a giddy swirl of excitement, swished with a twist of anxiety that all would go well, that there’d be no last-minute hitches with the catering, flowers, the weather, Jake being there, the list could go on … But all of that could be sorted, she reassured herself. The most important thing in all this was the love and commitment between her and Tom.

  The conversation stayed safe thereafter. Rachel knew not to push, but just hoped her friend really was okay. Eve didn’t seem herself, and Rachel was sure she was holding something back.

  Twenty minutes later, with coffee cups drained, and no more than wedding plans and breezy everyday conversation between them, Rachel was getting up to go when Ben arrived home.

  ‘Hiya, Rach.’ He appeared on the back step in his garage overalls with a smile.

  ‘Hi Ben, you okay? Good day at work?’ Rachel asked.

  ‘Yeah, fine. I’ll just go take a shower, get out of these oily clothes.’ He dipped his head back through the door again, just as Amelia called out ‘Daddy!’ from their makeshift play-tent.

  ‘Hey, sweetheart, I’ll come and see you in a minute. I’m all sweaty just now,’ he shouted back.

  ‘O-kay.’

  Rachel noted that Ben and Eve merely said the briefest of ‘hellos’ to each other; there was a definite coolness between them.

  Over their years of friendship, she and Eve had shared all their ups and downs, their crushes, hurts, their hopes and dreams. Whatever it was, Eve wasn’t yet ready to open up. But, whenever she did, Rachel would be there for her.

  36

  They lay in bed, Tom caressing her naked shoulder with gentle fingertips. Soon, they’d be able to do this every night, every morning … bliss.

  Rachel was very much in need of some Tom tonic, and this was just the thing. She’d been unsettled seeing the distance between Eve and Ben, and then back at home, opening her laptop to do some admin for the farm, she’d found a new flurry of negative comments on their social media pages. Once Maisy was tucked up in bed, Rachel had rushed over to the farm next door and, this time, Tom had been more than happy to oblige.

  ‘So, I’ve finally chosen someone special to walk me down the aisle …’ Rachel spoke softly, happily. She loved this pillow-talk time.

  ‘Oh, and who might that be?’

  ‘Granny Ruth, I think she’ll be just perfect.’

  ‘Ah yes, I bet she’ll love doing it too. Might be a bit emotional for you both, mind.’

  ‘Yeah, it will. But whoever walks me down there, I know that moment will be hard as well as happy, knowing that it should be Dad there with me.’

  ‘Hey, but remember I’ll be there ready and waiting at the altar to make you both smile.’ From the sound of his voice, she knew he was grinning even without looking up.

  The excitement was building for the wedding. They shared a slow kiss which sent butterflies spinning through Rachel’s stomach. It still seemed almost too good to be true.

  ‘So, big day on Wednesday,’ Rachel spoke cautiously, not wanting the magic between them to vanish, but knowing they had to face what lay ahead in the days before the wedding.

  ‘Yeah …’

  Rachel felt a sense of foreboding about the court case, along with the belief that it was something they could ultimately get past, a hurdle they would face and surmount together.

  ‘At least we’ll know.’ Tom’s face was close to hers, his breath warm on her cheek.

  ‘Yeah.’

  ‘And … if I have to sell some bloody land and that’s the end of it, then so be it.’

  ‘Whatever happens, Tom, we can make things work for us, with the two farms, we can join forces. We’ll do whatever it takes.’

  ‘I know. We will. I love you, Rachel.’ The words were heartfelt.

  ‘I love you, too.’

  There was a pause, while they lay in each other’s arms, thinking, breathing, feeling that closeness. She nestled there, savouring the feel of his body next to hers, the warm-toast and aftershave smell of his skin.

  ‘I need to get back soon, sorry. Better be back home for Maisy, for the morning routine.’ It was already nearly one a.m. She often felt like a farmyard Cinderella, dashing back home on a quad instead of a carriage. She’d already missed the midnight hour.

  ‘Yeah, I know.’

  ‘Can’t wait till I’m here every day.’ Rachel tenderly stroked his bare chest.

  ‘Me too … and you’re definitely okay with that now?’

  ‘Yes, it’ll feel a bit strange at first to be leaving Primrose, if I’m being totally honest, but you know, now I’ve had time to get used to the idea, I think it’ll work out really well for me and Maisy. It’s time … time to leave some of those haunting memories behind … and it’ll give Mum some space. And, hey, I’ll be back over there just about every day, working the farm and at the Pantry. I’ll not exactly be a million miles away.’

/>   ‘We’ll make it work fine, my love. More than fine …’

  And the kiss that followed was filled with love and hope and all their dreams for their future.

  Reluctantly, a few minutes later, she stole from under the covers, dressing by the cool moonlight of a Northumberland summer’s night.

  ‘Good luck, Tom. I’ll be rooting for you every step of the way.’ She gave Tom a tender kiss on his forehead, and then made her way downstairs, past Mabel, who raised one eyelid and then settled back to snooze in her dog basket in the kitchen. Rachel set off with a sigh on her pumpkin quad.

  37

  The next morning, Rachel headed out to pick up some baler twine and washing powder at the agricultural merchant’s, and decided to stop by the supermarket on the way back as they could do with some more flour and sugar. Old Mrs Jackson was standing in the sunshine on her terraced cottage doorstep on the high street. Rachel gave her a little friendly wave as she stepped out from the Land Rover, but the often-dour woman just tutted and shook her head at her. What was that all about?

  Then, in the Co-op, three middle-aged ladies were chatting away, heads bowed close together. Yet as soon as Rachel walked in, the talking ceased abruptly and they looked up, rather flushed. She did get a ‘hello’ in the baking aisle from one of her regulars at the Pantry, thankfully, but even that greeting seemed a little subdued. Was she just being paranoid? No, this wasn’t like the villagers; something was up, and Rachel was sure as hell going to find out what. If anyone knew what was going on, it’d be Sarah the shop supervisor, and she was currently serving behind the till.

  With no one behind her in the queue, Rachel handed over her goods and seized her chance. ‘Hi, Sarah.’

  ‘Hey, Rachel. You okay?’ At least Sarah was smiling at her. They’d known each other for years, with Sarah having been in the year above her at school.

  ‘I think so … Maybe I’m just being silly, but everyone’s acting really strangely with me today. What’s going on? I feel like I’ve grown two heads or something this morning here in town. I’m definitely being talked about … and not in a nice way.’