Rachel's Pudding Pantry

by Caroline Roberts

  ‘Wow – this is amazing … and the message … on the hill.’

  ‘All my own handiwork. And Rachel, I’m sorry, so sorry I couldn’t have done more for your dad back then.’

  ‘Oh, Tom.’ She dashed the six paces towards him, and flung herself into his arms that were ready and waiting – that had been for such a long time.

  It suddenly felt so right, being there, being held by him. He was a kind, good man. That conversation with her father must have tortured him, and there was nothing he could have done – Rachel saw that now. And the fact that they were old family friends and neighbours, with an age gap between them, suddenly became irrelevant. Why the hell hadn’t she seen it before? Or, had she and simply been running scared?

  Her lips were on his; the kiss sensual, emotional, beautiful and life-affirming. It felt like very much like love.

  They finally drew apart.

  ‘I know what you’ve been through, Rachel, and I don’t want to rush anything. I just want to be there for you, for us to be together, however that might work.’

  ‘Oh God, yes. But Tom,’ the sense of responsibility for her family weighed heavily on her still, ‘it’s not just about me though. There’s Maisy and Mum and the farm.’ She had to be realistic.

  ‘I know all that, of course I do. You come as a team, and I’m cool with that. Like I say, we take one step at a time, and work this out together. So …’ he sounded very nervous suddenly. ‘Are you in?’

  The smile on her face said it all, but she knew Tom needed to hear the words. It was hard for her to say them aloud even now, to let down her guard, even though every beat of her heart, every pulse in her veins was telling her it was true. She nodded. ‘I’m in … and Tom, I love you too.’

  ‘Woo-hooo,’ he shouted out over the valley. She’d take a bet that even Mum and Maisy might have heard it. It was loud enough to startle some crows, which flapped off from a nearby tree. ‘Now then, Rachel Swinton, I think it’s time to celebrate. Please be seated.’ He put on a mock-posh waiter voice.

  She took a seat, on what she now recognised as one of his kitchen chairs.

  ‘Red or white wine to start, madam?’

  ‘Ah, I’ll have some white, please.’

  As he started to pour, she looked down at her attire, a green boiler suit fresh from the farm with smudges of muck on.

  ‘Oh crikey, I’m not exactly dressed for dinner, am I?!’ She laughed.

  ‘No worries,’ he lowered his voice. ‘Did I ever tell you I find you very attractive in your boiler suit?’ He gave her a sexy grin.

  ‘Hah, no.’

  ‘To be honest, Rach, I’d find you very attractive in just about anything right now.’

  She couldn’t help but smile.

  ‘Well then, the starter is already prepared.’ Tom went to the back of his pick-up, pulled out a cool box, and brought out two plates of smoked salmon, garnished with rocket and lemon slices, served with buttered bread triangles.

  He placed a plate before her. ‘Okay, so I hope you’re not expecting MasterChef standard here. The barbecue is already lit. That’s kind of my level.’

  Rachel looked over to see a portable barbecue stood beside his vehicle. Ah, so that was the slightly smoky tang in the air. ‘Sounds perfect to me, and this looks delicious.’

  She sipped her white wine, which was crisp, fruity and vanilla all at once, and they started to eat.

  ‘I can’t believe you’ve done all this. It’s crazy … it’s lovely,’ she said, between delicious forkfuls. ‘And who ever said farmers can’t be romantic?’ she chuckled.

  ‘No reason why not,’ agreed Tom, so very glad that his plan had come together. ‘Special occasions only, of course.’

  ‘Ooh, I was hoping to get this every evening after work,’ Rachel grinned. ‘I could get used to this, you know.’

  ‘Hah, we’d never get any work done!’

  They sipped their Sauvignon Blanc and chatted for a while, until Tom said, ‘Right, I’d better cook the main course on the barbecue. We have steak or sausages, or both.’

  ‘Both, please.’ After a day working out on the farm, she found herself ravenous.

  Whilst Tom started to cook, with the barbecue coals already hot, Rachel looked out across the valley from their stunning viewpoint. The high Cheviot Hills lay behind her, and she was looking across the rolling patchwork of green, brown and golden farmland fields of North Northumberland towards the North Sea, which was a thin belt of indigo on the horizon. The sun would be setting soon and the countryside glowed in warm peach and gold tones. A blackbird hopped around near them and the last of the summer swallows and house martins dipped and swooped in the sky. It was tranquil and beautiful. Perfect.

  Below her, remarkably, was her ‘I love you’ ploughed onto the hillside and she wondered if anyone had seen it as they passed through the country lanes in their cars. She hoped it had made someone else smile during their busy day. But she was so very glad that it was her message, and wow, looking across at Tom stood cooking at the coals, with his rather gorgeous body, warm smile and kind, kind heart, she couldn’t believe this really was her man. How crazily wonderful was that!

  ‘I didn’t know you had all these hidden talents,’ she called across. ‘Cooking, flower arranging, waiter skills.’

  ‘Oh, I have a whole lot more that you haven’t seen yet,’ he teased, and with those words he seemed to promise her a future, and new depths to their relationship, yet to discover.

  ‘I’m glad.’

  You would think that you knew someone well after all these years as neighbours, yet in a way, Rachel realised she had only scratched the surface with Tom. A rather lovely surface in fact, and that was what was so exciting and wonderful. She walked across to stand behind him, reaching her arms around his waist as he cooked, and kissed him lightly on the back of the neck. He felt warm and strong beneath her touch, and smelt of barbecue smoke and aftershave.

  ‘Mmmn,’ he sighed, adding, ‘Now, don’t put me off. We don’t want me burning the steaks now.’

  ‘I’ll save this for later, then.’ She wondered just how long Jill would be all right until, or might she need to make a quick phone call …

  Tom served the juicy steak along with potatoes he’d roasted with rosemary and kept warm in foil packets, with a side salad (quite MasterChef-like after all, Rachel mused!). The candle on the table between them, which he’d lit as she arrived, was flickering gently in the light breeze, glowing now that dusk was settling.

  They talked and ate, and as they finished their delicious meal, Rachel reached a hand across the table, placing it over his.

  ‘Thank you, for all this, it’s amazing. No-one’s ever done anything like this for me, ever.’

  He smiled warmly. ‘Well, it’s about time they did, then.’

  She leaned across the table to kiss him. He tasted of red wine and steak, and him. Wow – she could carry on kissing these lips for the rest of her life. She didn’t need anyone else’s.

  He then moved his chair to sit beside her, so they could both look out across the valley as night began to draw in. The soft bleating of their sheep provided the background noise.

  ‘Tom, about Maisy …’ Though this night was beautiful and promised so much, Rachel felt she had to clarify something. Maisy had to come first. It had to be right for her too.

  ‘Yeah?’

  ‘If we have a future together … she has to be a part of this.’

  ‘I know, I understand that.’

  ‘But how do we tell her?’ Rachel was thinking out loud.

  ‘Well, when the time’s right to tell her, I’m sure you’ll work that out.’

  ‘Yes, I suppose.’

  ‘And …’ he added, ‘knowing Maisy, I think she’ll work it out by herself very soon.’

  ‘Hah, yes, she’s as sharp as a tack, I think you’re right.’

  And Rachel remembered the conversation with Maisy the night of her birthday party all those months ago, when her own father ha
dn’t turned up and she’d asked if Tom could be her daddy. Rachel gave a contented smile, feeling that it would all work out fine somehow. It was early days to tell Tom that little gem yet, but in time …

  An hour later, they were still out in the field, but it was cooling dramatically now, with night falling in a heavy, velvety blanket around them. Tom went to fetch a rug from his truck. ‘This’ll be better.’

  He sat back down, their chairs propped close, covering them both with the rug.

  ‘Perfect,’ said Rachel, as they snuggled together. ‘So, what’s for pudding?’ she half-joked.

  ‘Not very demanding, are you?’ he jibed.

  ‘No, not at all. But I can live in hope.’ She grinned, not really expecting him to have prepared any more food at all. The meal had been fabulous as it was.

  ‘Well, now you mention it … I have made something.’

  ‘Ooh, what is it?’

  ‘Crumble … apple crumble.’

  With that Rachel nearly spat out the wine she’d just sipped, and hooted with laughter.

  ‘What’s up? What’s so funny?’

  ‘Sorry … sorry, nothing. Oh my. It’s fine. I just lurve apple crumble.’ She was still giggling five minutes later, her sides were aching, and she knew she had to enlighten poor Tom on the antics in the pub that night.

  Between fits of the giggles, she told the tale.

  ‘Oh, that’s just brilliant, I’m an apple crumble, am I?’ He pretended to be put out, but was smiling broadly. ‘Well, I suppose I’d better dish it out then.’

  ‘Yes, please, hunky crumble man.’

  He’d left the crumble dish he’d made covered in foil to warm at the side of the smouldering barbecue, and served out a generous portion in a single bowl to share, with a dollop of thick cream that melted down over the crunchy brown-sugar topping. It smelt delightful, all toffee-apple and cinnamon. They snuggled back down under the cosy rug together, with Tom holding the warm bowl between them.

  Rachel dug in and helped herself to a delicious spoonful … and she knew she’d be very much looking forward to glorious seconds of crumble later!

  She had the man of her dreams by her side, and her farm and family safe in the valley below. Her heart felt so warm and she wanted to hold onto this moment forever.

  ‘Thank you, Tom, this has been the most amazing evening.’

  He smiled warmly at her, as they sat side by side. ‘This is just the start for us, Rachel. You know, there’s so much more to come.’

  With everything that had happened over the past couple of years, Rachel had learnt just how precarious – and precious – life could be. Amid the darkness, there was always hope, if only you had the courage to seize it. She looked up into the glittering canopy of stars above, and as they twinkled back, she felt that her lovely dad was looking down on her – telling her that everything would be all right.

  And as she snuggled closer to Tom, she couldn’t wait to find out what that ‘so much more’ would be.

  A LETTER FROM CAROLINE

  Thank you so much for choosing to read Rachel’s Pudding Pantry. I hope you’ve enjoyed spending time with the fabulous Swinton family at Primrose Farm. Hopefully you’ve been curled up with this novel and a dish of your favourite pudding!

  If you have enjoyed this book, please don’t hesitate to get in touch or leave a review. I always love hearing my readers’ reactions, and it also makes a real difference in helping new readers to discover my books for the first time. You’d make an author very happy.

  You are very welcome to pop along to my Facebook page, Twitter profile or blog page. Please share your news, views, recipe tips, and read all about your favourite puddings and the inspirations behind my writing. It’s lovely to make new friends, so keep in touch.

  Well, the next book is calling as there’s a sequel coming in time for Christmas – so it’s back to the writing!

  Thanks again, and see you soon!

  Caroline x

  @_caroroberts

  /CarolineRobertsAuthor

  carolinerobertswriter.blogspot.co.uk

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  I have so enjoyed writing this book set in my local farming community – it has felt very close to home and my heart. Huge thanks to Helen and Johnny Renner and to Jane and Duncan Ord, for showing me around their farms and the animals, providing a cuppa at the farmhouse kitchen table and answering my many questions about lambing and farming life in North Northumberland. Also, thank you so much to Susan Green of The Proof of the Pudding for welcoming me to her farmhouse, allowing me to quiz her, and for giving great insight into her fabulous pudding business. I was especially grateful for the sticky toffee and ginger pudding delights she sent me home with – delicious! All in the name of research of course!

  Thanks as always to my wonderful family and friends for all their ongoing support, and to the fabulous Romantic Novelists’ Association, especially our Northumberland Chapter, who are always there with writerly advice and friendship.

  My talented editor, Charlotte Brabbin, a massive thank you. Your skills have helped polish this book into what I hope is a little gem. And to the whole team at HarperCollins, plus my lovely agent Hannah Ferguson and the team at Hardman & Swainson – thanks so much.

  Congratulations also to the two ladies who won my ‘Character Naming Competition’ to have a special name feature in this book: Marie Carter, whose little girl ‘Maisy’ features as Rachel’s daughter, and Louise Adcock whose nick-name is ‘Brenda’ – the proud and helpful owner of The Kirkton Deli.

  Last, but not least, a big hurrah for all my readers and the very supportive book blogging community! My books would be nothing without someone to read and enjoy them. I hope you’ve had a wonderful time getting to know Rachel, Jill, Maisy and everyone at the Pudding Pantry!

  All best wishes,

  Caroline x

  Rachel and the team at Primose Farm will be back!

  Don’t miss the second festive book in the Pudding Pantry series

  Doors open again in October 2019

  Pre-order now!

  978-0-00-832768-2

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  TURN THE PAGE TO DISCOVER DELICIOUS RECIPES TO TRY AT HOME – ONLY THE PUDDING PANTRY FAVOURITES WILL DO!

  Rachel’s White Chocolate and Raspberry Cheesecake

  2 × 150g bars white chocolate

  2 × 300g tubs full-fat soft cheese

  284ml of double cream

  50g caster sugar

  200g punnet raspberries

  5 tbsp raspberry jam

  130g digestive biscuits

  50g butter

  Break the chocolate into a glass bowl, put over a pan of simmering water to melt (be careful that the base of the bowl doesn’t sit in the water). Take off heat and allow to cool.

  Crush the digestives either in a freezer bag with a rolling pin or food processor. Melt the butter gently in a saucepan and stir the biscuits through it. Use a spoon to press into the base of a deep (ideally non-stick loose-bottom) 8-inch flan dish or cake tin. Pop in fridge to chill.

  Whisk the cheese, cream and sugar together until thick (electric beaters are great for this), then stir in the almost cool melted white chocolate until fully combined.

  Stir 50g raspberries with 2 tbsp jam (chopping any large raspberries in half first). Spoon half of the cheese mixture over the biscuit base, then spoon the jammy raspberries over the centre. Top with the rest of the cheese mixture, flatten with a spatula and chill again, for at least 4 hours or overnight.

  Warm the remaining jam with the raspberries you have left, keeping aside about 12 raspberries. Whizz with a hand blender or in a food processor, then rub through a sieve to remove any seeds. Add a drop or two of water if it seems very thick.

  To serve, top the cake with the raspberries you have reserved and drizzle the sauce over.

  Ideal served with friends and a glass of something bubbly!

  Jill’s Sticky Toffee Pudding />
  For the sponge:

  200g soft pitted dates, finely chopped

  1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

  200ml boiling water

  75g butter, plus extra for greasing

  50g dark muscovado sugar

  2 tbsp black treacle

  2 large free-range eggs

  200g self-raising flour

  For the toffee sauce:

  100g butter

  150g dark muscovado sugar

  1 tbsp black treacle

  150ml double cream

  Preheat the oven to 180C/160 Fan/Gas 4. Lightly grease your dish (9 × 9 in/1.2l baking dish or similar).

  Put the dates, boiling water and bicarbonate of soda into a bowl, stir and leave for 10 mins.

  Cream the butter and sugar together in a mixer until pale and fluffy. Add the treacle and eggs, a little at a time, and blend until smooth. Add the flour and blend at a low speed until well combined.

  Using a fork, stir the soaked dates, squishing them a bit, and then pour the dates and liquid into the pudding batter and beat gently to mix in.

  Pour into your prepared oven dish, and bake for 35–40 mins until a cake tester comes out clean.

  To make the sauce, melt all of the ingredients in a pan over a low heat, stirring occasionally until bubbling. Remove from heat.

  Leave the pudding to stand for 20 mins then skewer all over and pour over half the sauce. Leave for another 15 mins then serve drizzled with more of the warmed sauce and a scoop of good quality vanilla (or honeycomb!) ice cream.

  Prepare to be taken to sticky toffee heaven!

  Discover more cosy, uplifting romances from Caroline Roberts

  Can Ellie bake her way to a happy ever after? A deliciously heartwarming novel for fans of Lucy Diamond and Milly Johnson.

  When Ellie Hall lands her dream job running the little teashop in the beautiful but crumbling Claverham Castle, it’s the perfect escape from her humdrum job in the city. Life is definitely on the rise as Ellie replaces spreadsheets for scones, and continues her Nanna’s brilliant baking legacy.