Rachel's Pudding Pantry

by Caroline Roberts

  ‘Okay, great, I’ll let you know.’

  Rachel could feel the blush spreading on her cheeks. What was the matter with her? Lingering flu symptoms, that was all. It was nothing to do with Tom’s unexpected invite, or the quick hammering of her heart …

  Chapter 34

  A SKY FULL OF STARS

  What a gorgeous evening it had been, and it was especially lovely for Rachel to be looked after since her horrid flu. Tom had come up trumps and made a barbecue of sausages and gammon, along with a mixed salad and jacket potatoes. Rachel, Jill and Maisy were sitting on a picnic bench in his garden with dessert bowls of hot bananas that had been cooked in their skins over the glowing coals. They were soft and sweet, with a spoonful of vanilla ice cream now melting over, and a splash of dark rum for the adults. Delicious!

  The sun had gone down and the sky had softened to a peachy-grey hue. Maisy was now slumped comfortably on Jill’s lap, trying hard to keep her eyes open. She had a full tummy and was exhausted after an hour of play on a makeshift waterslide that Tom had set up with an old tarpaulin and lots of soapy water.

  Jill finished her glass of white wine and said she’d head off soon and get Maisy to her bed. Rachel shifted from her seat, ready to help her. ‘No, you stay a while if you like, love, it’s early yet. We’ll be fine. I’m sure Tom would appreciate some company for a bit longer.’

  ‘Well, let me take you and Maisy back in my truck then, Jill.’ Tom stood, ready to pick up the little girl in his arms. ‘She’ll be like a lead weight all sleepy like that. Ah … if you want to stay, Rachel, that’d be great. Go ahead and help yourself to another glass of wine.’ He gave her an earnest look, which seemed to say that he’d really like her to stay. ‘I won’t be long.’

  ‘Okay then, thanks,’ Rachel replied, a little spark of excitement flaring in the pit of her stomach. It was one of those nights you didn’t want to end too soon. A warm and balmy summer’s evening with good food and pleasant conversation. Tom was so easy to talk to, they’d been chatting about farming, about Maisy’s latest antics, the Pudding Pantry and all the work they’d had going on. It had been such a busy time these past few weeks, what with establishing the new business in the barn, Jake coming back and then taking off again with all the emotions around that, not to mention all the usual farm work. With having been ill too, it was so nice just to stop and relax for a few hours.

  Rachel felt very mellow, caressing a glass of wine, when Tom arrived back ten minutes later. Mabel, the terrier, jumped out of his truck after him and was soon settling at Rachel’s feet.

  ‘Thanks for dropping them off.’ Rachel smiled. It was typical Tom, to make sure they were back safe. He was caring, and that was a rather special trait.

  ‘You okay?’ he asked. ‘Can I top your glass up there?’

  ‘Would be rude not to,’ Rachel commented wryly, the couple of glasses she’d already had loosening her tongue. They both laughed.

  He poured some more of the white and then filled his own glass with red.

  There was no school for Maisy tomorrow with it now being the long summer holidays. The sheep were all content out in the fields, the cattle fine too, with plenty of grass thanks to the recent wet and warm weather. As a livestock farmer, Rachel found the summer months were a little easier. Wow, she might even get a glimpse of a lie-in tomorrow. How bloody nice would that be?

  Tom lit the candle in the storm lantern that he’d put out earlier, which flickered into life and then settled to a soft glow. He sat down beside her on the bench.

  ‘It’s been a lovely night, thank you,’ Rachel spoke softly.

  ‘You’re so welcome.’ His dark eyes were smiling and his voice golden-syrup warm. ‘You lot have fed and sheltered me many a time, I think it was well overdue.’

  It was he who had provided the shelter, Rachel mused, knowing he was there next door if they ever needed him. They sat side by side talking about their farms, and then he asked how Maisy had been coping since her dad’s surprise appearance, shaking his head at the news of his disappearing act again. Jake had made one phone call to Maisy in the first week, but they were still waiting for the second to materialise ten days thereafter. Broken promises led to broken hearts – for Maisy, that was. Rachel had watched her daughter with sadness as the reality began to sink in; that grown-ups didn’t always do the things they said they would, even the most important things. Maisy was mentioning her dad less already, and seemed a little quieter generally, less naïve, bless her. Rachel had tried to call him herself one morning but there had been no answer – the selfish bastard.

  It began to get dark; the sun melting into the horizon. Rachel said yes to a glass of the red wine next as the evening chill began to settle. Tom brought out some fleecy throws from the house to wrap around them, neither wanting to move in or indeed head home just yet.

  Rachel leant against Tom with a happy sigh. It felt right and very natural, though it sent her heart rate to the moon. As she did so, she tilted her head, and caught a glimpse of the night sky above. Wow – the stars were out in full force. An inky-dark sky had crept in on dusk’s tail and lit a million glinting gems. Here in rural Northumberland, with no street lights to dim them, they were just stunning!

  ‘Look at that, Tom,’ she said. ‘Wow.’ She was craning her neck to see. ‘Hang on, I’m going to lie down on the grass and look up properly.’

  Rachel got out of her seat, took a couple of paces and then lay, still wrapped in her fleecy throw, on the lawn of Tom’s garden. The grass was damp with dew under her fingertips, but she didn’t mind, and it felt soft as she lay on her back.

  ‘Good view from down there?’ Tom smiled as he stood up and then lay down beside her.

  Rachel was transfixed by the night sky, watching the misty sweeps of galaxies.

  ‘Oh, look, did you see that?’ she whispered. ‘A shooting star. You have to make a wish.’

  ‘I’m not sure if I need to right now,’ he whispered back.

  His hand brushed hers by accident. Rachel felt it like an electric jolt.

  She turned her head away from the stars to look at him. He was gazing at her, his dark eyes full of words not yet spoken. And the world felt like it held its breath for a second …

  His hand reached for hers intentionally this time. The look he was giving her melted her insides. He then leaned towards her. Their lips met, tentative and tender at first, then melded in a beautiful, stunning, sexy kiss. Oh yes, it certainly lived up to her dream kiss … and then some.

  When their lips finally parted, Tom smiled as he held her gaze. ‘I’ve been waiting to do that for such a long time.’

  Rachel felt a surge of joy. ‘Me too.’

  ‘Well then, shall we give it another try? Just to check we’ve got it right.’ Tom’s eyes were sparkling in the glow of the candlelight.

  ‘Yes, why not.’ He’d certainly got it right, but she wasn’t going to stop him now!

  So, they moved back in for another tantalising taste. Lips warm and welcoming, bodies pressed much nearer this time, side by side on the damp grass under a canopy of stars. Tom’s hands gently tugging her wavy brown hair as they kissed, hers cupping the back of his head. And it was beautiful in every way, so much so, that it almost hurt to feel that intensely. She had never kissed like that before.

  After a dreamily long kiss, they sat huddled together within the fleece blankets, leaning against each other in the half-light. For a while they were silent, aware of their breathing, their warmth. It felt like words might break the spell. Bring them back to reality too soon.

  ‘Okay?’ Tom finally said.

  ‘Yes,’ was all Rachel could utter. Where was this going, what was this leading to? Her body was telling her to touch him, hold him, to make him hers in every way. But she couldn’t rush this, there was too much at stake. ‘Tom, I’m going to have to go.’

  If she stayed much longer she wasn’t sure she could stop it. And she wanted to be sure, so very sure, that this wasn’t just lust or em
otions getting the better of them. If there wasn’t a future in this for them, then it couldn’t go any further. A quick fling would just spell the end of their friendship. Oh my, they were teetering on the brink as it was. The brink of something beautiful but very scary.

  Tom looked at her, disappointed, searching her eyes for a clue.

  ‘Maisy,’ she reminded him. For the morning, she intended to say, hardly daring to voice the words, the implication that this might take them both to the morning, but she just couldn’t risk that yet. Oh yes, she could rush things, get swept up in the moment, end up dashing up to Tom’s bed as they tore each other’s clothes off. Oh goodness, why the hell not? came a mischievous, yearning voice in her head. For all her words of leaving, she was still leaning close to him.

  ‘Okay, I’ll walk you back.’ His tone was patient, even if he was disappointed.

  ‘Thank you.’

  They got up from the blankets. They’d shared that bottle of red since Jill and Maisy had left, so there was no way Tom would be using the truck now. They held hands firmly, like a small promise between them, as they made their way along the lane to Primrose Farm. It felt so very natural, like something had shifted far beyond friendship.

  The night air was still and cool with the odd baa of a sheep coming from the fields around them, and only the breath of a breeze rustling the leaves in the hedgerow. It was chillier now and Rachel moved closer to Tom, feeling the reassuring warmth of his body. They walked with the sounds of their footsteps crushing the gravel of the farm track.

  As they reached the farmhouse, Rachel saw that Jill had left the kitchen light on for her. The two of them stood beside the wooden front door, smiling at each other, feeling a little like teenagers. Tom looked serious as he began to trace her cheekbone gently with his fingertips. Then he cupped her jawline, drawing her to him once more.

  Three kisses! Not just the one she’d been imagining. But now she had finally tasted him, there might never be enough. This kiss lingered longer than the first two, their lips pressed firmly, tasting, teasing, tongues entwined, causing a million nerve endings to light up within her.

  As the kiss eased, coming to a natural end, they pulled somewhat reluctantly away.

  ‘Goodnight, Rachel.’

  ‘Night, Tom. Thanks for such a lovely evening.’ Her words didn’t even begin to cover how she was feeling right now.

  ‘See you soon, yeah?’

  ‘Yeah.’ She kissed his cheek, taking in his gorgeous aftershave smell once more, then moved to go into the house, feeling a pang of reluctance to leave him.

  ‘Bye.’ She took a step, then turned to smile slowly at him.

  ‘Bye.’ His smile matched hers.

  ‘Better go.’

  ‘Yep.’

  Rachel was surprised to find Jill was still up, reading a book at the kitchen table. It was past eleven o’clock.

  ‘Hello, love. Nice night? Everything okay?’ her mum asked, with a smile.

  Rachel could still feel the linger of Tom’s kiss on her mouth, his touch on her skin, and couldn’t help but blush. ‘Yes, great thanks. I’ve had a really nice evening.’ She tried to keep her voice even, not wanting to give anything away. ‘Maisy fine?’

  ‘Yes, fast asleep. Went out like a light as soon as I popped her in her bed.’

  ‘Great.’

  ‘He’s a nice chap is Tom,’ Jill added leadingly.

  ‘Yes, he is.’ All Rachel really wanted to do was to steal upstairs to her room and go over this evening again in her mind, every last delicious detail, whilst it was still fresh in her thoughts. ‘It’s been a long day, I think I’ll go on up to bed, Mum.’

  ‘Okay, love. See you in the morning then.’ Her mum’s voice seemed to dip a little.

  Oh, had her mum hoped for some company? Was there a touch of melancholy there in her voice?

  ‘Mu-um, are you all right?’ Rachel took a few steps towards her, ready to sit down. With all the distractions of tonight, had she missed that her mum might be silently hurting, maybe feeling lonely?

  ‘Of course, pet. I’m fine,’ Jill rallied, though she still sounded a little wistful.

  Naturally, she’d have had an inkling of what was going on between them. Mums seemed to have a sixth sense for these things. Rachel was sure she’d be happy for her, but had it set Jill off thinking about her early days with Dad, she wondered? All these magical emotions that Rachel was experiencing as a first, her mum must have once shared with Dad. Of course, every day was still a test after her dad’s death. Some days were better than others, but the dreadful and painful truth was never going to go away.

  ‘Honestly, I’m fine. Off you go to bed, sweetheart. I’ve been engrossed in this crime novel and I’ll get back to finish the last chapters now.’

  ‘I can stay a while. Make us a tea or something?’

  ‘No, no. You look tired. You get yourself away to bed.’

  ‘Okay, if you’re sure.’ Rachel paused for a second or two.

  ‘Go on, off you go … and I’m glad you’ve had a good night, love.’

  ‘Thank you.’ That generous maternal spirit as Mum pushed aside her own grief brought a lump to Rachel’s throat. ‘Night then, Mum.’ She gave Jill a kiss on the cheek, suddenly wondering if the smell of Tom’s aftershave would be on her. A sure giveaway. ‘Love you.’

  ‘Love you too. Night, Rachel. Sleep well.’

  ‘Sweet dreams.’

  Love, family, life. The bliss of a kiss. The harsh finality of death. Rachel lay in her bed a short while later with it all spinning around in her mind. When you’d stared death in the face, it made you want to make the most of every second in life. But she hadn’t been, had she? Even tonight, walking away – at least they’d walked away together – she knew she had been holding back on so much, playing the safe game. She had tasted something more this evening. Suddenly, she wanted to live life now, to dance it, taste it, touch it, kiss it.

  In fact, lying there with the recent memory of those three gorgeous kisses, she knew she really, really wanted to make love with Tom Watson very soon indeed! Would it ever really happen?

  Chapter 35

  HARVEST SUPPER

  The wheat was ready, and it was harvesting time at Tom’s farm. Rachel knew that meant long days and late nights for him until the crop was all in. She’d left her fantasies where they were, as fantasies, and decided to concentrate on real life and the issues they needed to face at Primrose Farm.

  Whilst the Pudding Pantry had started off pretty well, it wasn’t exactly doing a roaring trade either. They’d nearly completed their first month and, working out all the trading figures and costs so far, they looked like they’d make a slim profit. She knew things should improve as they got more established and built a reputation, but the busier summer season would be drawing to a close in a few weeks, and they’d need to keep things going through the autumn and winter. She and Jill would need to get their thinking caps on; finding ways to promote the pudding business – there was no resting on their laurels just yet.

  Whilst she was out on her morning rounds, Rachel spotted Tom in the big yellow combine harvester, with two tractors and trailers lined up ready to lead the grain. They’d be working flat out whilst the weather was dry today. It was opportune that he did arable as well as livestock, as that meant she could always buy in a good supply of straw for the animal sheds through the winter; his farm had supplied theirs for years in that way. She gave a friendly wave across the field, not sure if he’d actually see her.

  He had sent a lovely text the morning after that magical barbecue night, saying how much he’d enjoyed the evening, with two ‘x’ kisses at the end of the message. And they’d messaged more since, just nice and chatty. But now two days had passed and as she hadn’t seen him in person, the events of that night were starting to feel a bit surreal.

  It was a Sunday, and Eve had offered to have Maisy for the day, to give Jill and Rachel the chance to concentrate on the Pantry, the weekends being their bus
iest days.

  Frank, the chirpy old gent, was back in at ten-thirty sharp just as they opened, for his morning coffee and pudding. He liked trialling the new flavours and additions to the range, giving his honest opinion to Jill on each, the clear winner for him so far being the jam roly-poly with custard, with the sticky toffee coming in a close second. There were also two elderly ladies from the village, Jean and Valerie, who loved to call in for a slice of cake with a pot of tea on a Tuesday and Thursday morning. Friday mornings generally brought in the mums and tots after playgroup for twelve-noon treats, which sometimes extended to a bite of lunch – Rachel had found and spruced up Maisy’s high chair and Eve had donated the one she’d had for Amelia too, which had helped. It was fabulous to have some regular customers as well as welcoming the one-off holiday makers and day trippers, and it was even better seeing them all enjoying themselves. It was just that customer numbers needed to be higher to make the business run more profitably and to make a real difference to the farm’s income.

  But these things didn’t happen overnight, businesses needed time to build. Rachel knew that, it was just her bank balance that was impatient.

  At the end of a steady day, there were several scones left, a wedge of carrot cake, and some rashers of bacon and bread rolls that wouldn’t be fresh enough to serve when they reopened tomorrow. Rachel would bet that Tom wasn’t eating much fresh food just now, most likely a packet of crisps and a few chocolate bars to keep him going in the cab of the combine. Maybe she should take him and the other tractor drivers some ‘bait’ to keep them going this evening. It would be nice to help them out and … she admitted to herself, just to see him, however briefly.

  Jill agreed that was a great idea and they made some fresh bacon rolls, and packed up a picnic bag of buttered scones and slices of cake. They were nearly ready to close up the Pudding Pantry with it edging close to five o’clock as it was. Jill said she was happy to finish off there.