Page 104 of Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

Chapter 41

PANCAKES AND PJS

The next morning, Jill offered to go across and open up the Pudding Pantry, saying she was fine to run the tearoom by herself for a couple of hours. She could see that Rachel looked shattered, and realised that she and Maisy could probably do with some quiet time together.

As it was the Tuesday after the bank holiday, there would still be some tourists around, but generally it was likely to be a little quieter. Jill had already baked some fresh sultana scones in the farmhouse Aga, and decided to make some chocolate-mint traybakes to top up yesterday’s dwindling supplies. After all the emotions of last night, and such a hectic day yesterday, it was a day to take stock and stick to routine.

Rachel had looked in to check on Maisy at 7:30 a.m. She was sleeping soundly in her bed, and looked so peaceful, so she decided to let her be – the rest would do her good. When Maisy finally came down in her pyjamas after 9 a.m., Rachel had a batter mix and all the ingredients ready to make her daughter’s favourite chocolate-spread pancakes. They chatted as they ate their late breakfast, talking about all the different things at the show and the ‘wonderfully-whizzy’ Tea Cups ride, then they settled down to build the Lego Farm together – it had been Rachel’s as a child, and was still a favourite to play with, with its mini tractor and animals. Rachel read a story with Maisy snuggled on her lap, and after that she put on one of Maisy’s favourite DVDs. They spent a quiet, calm morning together, which was exactly what they both needed. (Grandmas did in fact know best!)

Just as they were nearing the end of the movie, the phone rang, and Rachel’s heart started banging when she heard Tom on the other end of the line.

‘Hi Rachel, just checking how Maisy is this morning?’

‘Oh, she seems fine, thank you. Maybe a touch subdued, but we’re making the most of a few quiet hours together. It’s been really nice actually.’

‘Good … and you, Rach?’ He paused momentarily, as if nervous. ‘How are you doing? It must have been a bit of a scare, her going missing like that.’ His voice sounded so caring.

‘Yeah, it was. It was so frightening at the time, the thought that something dreadful might have happened, but all’s well that ends well. And thank you so much, again.’

‘Ah, I was just glad we found her okay.’

It was good that they were talking again. Small steps back to friendship. She hated the thought that in all her own hurt and anger, she’d hurt Tom too. But she knew she had to put her focus back into her family, that was what mattered most.

At lunchtime, Maisy and Rachel went across to the Pantry to see Jill. Maisy had remembered all about the pudding competition and their photo, and couldn’t wait to tell Grandma Jill about her first prize – with all the mayhem of the night before, they’d totally forgotten until now.

‘Grandma Jill, Grandma Jill, you won!’ She raced into the barn and it was lovely to see her back to her chirpy self. ‘Mummy’s got the photo.’

‘It’s true … first prize for your sticky toffee pudding,’ said Rachel.

‘And a red rosette,’ added Maisy proudly.

‘Oh, my goodness, how wonderful.’ Jill was beaming.

Frank was there in the barn too, just finishing his morning coffee and cake. ‘Congratulations, that’s marvellous and a real achievement.’ He raised his cup.

‘Oh, thank you, Frank.’ Jill couldn’t stop smiling.

Then, Maisy and Jill had a sandwich lunch at one of the tables, with Rachel covering the counter. Maisy was chatting away happily and seemed more herself. Once they’d finished, Rachel asked if her mum would keep an eye on Maisy for a short while as she wanted to go over to the farmhouse and make a phone call. It had been brewing in her mind this past hour. There were things that needed to be said.

Jake didn’t answer, not the first time or the second. She ignored the answerphone message and dialled again, the anger rising within her.

She heard the click as it was finally picked up.

‘Hey, Rach. Hi babe.’

‘Don’t you babe me.’ Her tone was sharp as a blade.

‘Uh?’

‘Look, Maisy has been waiting for you to turn up all weekend – it was all she could think about yesterday at the show. You promised her, Jake.’

‘Ah, well something turned up. It was difficult.’

‘I’ll tell you what’s difficult – dealing with a moron like you as her father. You just can’t do that to a child … your child. She was so upset that you never came. You never even bothered to ring to explain or speak to her.’

‘Ah.’ It was finally starting to sink in.

‘You can’t make promises if you’re not going to follow them through. You say you’ll be here, build up her hopes and then let her down, over and over. We’re sick of it, Jake, sick of it. You can’t just flit in and out of her life when it suits you. So, from now on, if you want to visit, you call me to make arrangements first and then you bloody well make sure you turn up, or else you can stay right away. Full stop.’

‘You can’t keep me away. I have rights …’

‘Yes, and so does our little girl. I’ll not let you fuck up her life any more, Jake. All I’m asking is a little consideration and cooperation.’

‘I can go to the courts, you know.’

‘Yeah, you go ahead Jake, and who do you think they’ll listen to?’

The lioness had roared. It had needed to be said, to protect Maisy. Yes, Rachel knew she had to take some blame for yesterday, but not all of it. Here was where the main blame lay, and she was going to leave it loudly at his doorstep, like a big lion turd.

‘So … Maisy was upset, was she?’ he continued feebly.

‘What do you sodding think? She’s five. She believed you.’

‘Ah … look, I’ll come up soon, make it up to her.’

She’d had enough of his waffling shite. He hadn’t even been man enough to apologise. ‘You call me and we arrange it properly if you want to visit Maisy again. And then you come up as planned, or else don’t bother coming back at all. Bye, Jake.’ With that, she hung up.

She felt exhausted as she took a seat back in the kitchen, but a whole lot better having said what needed to be said. She’d been strong, assertive, proudly protecting her family – and boy did that feel good.