Page 25 of Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

‘So, you’re going to give it a try. How fabulous,’ Eve said cheerily. ‘Oh yes, Primrose Farm Puddings. Sounds great, doesn’t it.’

Rachel hadn’t got as far as a name yet, but yes, that was simple and ideal. ‘Brilliant! Yes! I like it.’

‘Hmm …’ Eve started, ‘I suppose the puds will have to be made in something like a metal foil tray with a lid, so I’m thinking traditional muslin or maybe a pretty cotton print tied with a ribbon bow as packaging, and a card label.’

‘Love it already. Yes, the two puds we are starting with are both baked, so that sounds about right. I knew you’d come up with something great. Your mind is a well of craft genius.’

‘Hah, not sure about that … So, sticky toffee and chocolate flavours, you say.’

‘Yep, that’s it. To start with, anyhow.’

‘Ooh, so there could be a whole range of puddings soon? Scrummy, I can’t wait to try them.’

‘There might well be, in time, but we’ll just take it slowly to begin with. One step at a time, Eve. I don’t want to put too much pressure on Mum, either. She was nervous about it all initially, though she does seem really on board with the idea now, which is great. But I do hope she’s not just going along with it for my sake. So, back to the packaging, if you can come up with a few ideas and samples for us to have a look at – we’d pay you for the designs of course – then that’d be brilliant.’

‘Sounds great. I’ll do some trial ones to start, see what you and Jill think of them first. Ooh, I love a new challenge and this is right up my street,’ Eve enthused. ‘I’ll let you know as soon as I’ve got some ready. It’ll probs take me a day or two, as I’ve got a couple of Etsy orders to make up.’

‘Oh, that’ll be fine, Eve. We’ve got to pass our hygiene certificates and there’s a check to be made on the kitchen facilities by the council before we can actually make anything to sell, so a few days is no problem at all. And, it’s great that you’re all up and running with your Etsy now too. Well done you. Well, aren’t we the entrepreneurs,’ said Rachel, smiling, feeling the frisson of excitement between them. ‘How’s it been going?’

‘Well, just a few orders so far. Some of the knitted toys and a couple of jumpers – the tractor one seems popular. But it’s a good start.’

‘I’m delighted for you.’

‘Thanks, and like I say, give me a day or so, and I’ll get some packaging designs made up for the puddings. Then you and your mum can come over and see what you think.’

‘Perfect, thank you.’ Rachel found herself with a big grin on her face.

Team Primrose Farm Puddings was coming together.

Rachel had gone straight online after the call and booked the two courses for health and hygiene. She didn’t want to waste time getting started on this, and to be honest they couldn’t afford to financially either. In the back of her mind, she also wanted to make sure her mum didn’t have second thoughts and waver.

Whilst on the computer she took a look at her emails. There were a few pieces of farming admin to address, and then she spotted an email that must be from Jake, at some new email address. The subject line was simply ‘Hi’. Rachel felt a bit queasy. It was always unnerving hearing from him; it left her wondering what his real agenda was.

Hmm, first that late birthday present for Maisy. What now? Maisy had been so excited that day when Rachel passed the gift on to her, her little sunny face so full of hope as she ripped open the parcel. Her daddy had remembered her. It had turned out to be a dress a size too big; he hadn’t even bloody well remembered her age. Maisy had put it on regardless, sporting the baggy floral item around the house and doing little twirls, bless her.

And now a message. Was he trying to come back into their lives? She should be pleased for Maisy’s sake, but it always seemed to spell trouble when Jake reappeared, stirring things up, only for him to just drift off and disappear again soon after.

She took a deep breath and braced herself to read the email:

Hi Rach,

How’s tricks? Hope Maisy got her gift ok and likes it. Say a big hi to her from her dad.

Oh yes, say hello from the dad who’s never here just to get her all wound up again.

How’re you and your mum doing? Still on the farm?

Of course, working hard to keep it all together and support your daughter.

I’m down in Bedford on a job at the moment.

Oh, so he is working, so where’s the child support? All Maisy gets is a toy monkey one Christmas and a dress a year too big!

Thinking of coming up North this summer, so I’ll deffo call in and see Maisy then.

Great, not – can’t wait for that to happen then.

How is she? At school now? She must be. All grown up I bet. Send a photo.