Page 44 of Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

‘Yes, course you can.’

‘Brilliant, this is all so exciting. I think we deserve another glass of bubbly.’

And so, the prosecco glasses were topped up.

‘Hey, who’d have thought …? We’re in business together,’ grinned Eve. ‘And I’ll still do all your packaging designs too, if you’re happy with that.’

‘Of course. And yes, it’ll be great to have you on board, my lovely friend,’ Rachel said with a broad smile.

This prosecco planning was rather fabulous. Who knew a ‘business meeting’ could be such fun! They chinked glasses, then chatted some more, talking of favourite puddings they’d need to have on the menu and headed inside for a while to print off mouth-watering images to add to the Pudding Pantry pinboard that Eve had set up – the renowned sticky toffee and chocolate puds naturally, a summer-fruits pavlova, banoffee pie, treacle sponge pudding, apple crumble, bread and butter pudding, chocolate brownies, Rachel’s white chocolate and raspberry cheesecake that Eve said was a must, and more.

‘Wow, it sounds like Mum’s going to be busy,’ Rachel commented, as they drifted back outside to their cosy table. ‘I think I’d better be donning my apron as well!’

Rachel let out a contented sigh as she popped a meringue into her mouth with the last of the sweet strawberries and sat looking out across the valley. The late spring dusk was falling; the sky settling into peaceful pinky-peach hues. The sounds around them were calming; the odd tweet of a bird, the bleat of a lamb. The hum of a tractor working late down the valley – maybe it was Tom out and about. The thought of him nearby made Rachel’s smile widen for a second. Above, a swift darted across the sky, chasing insects.

‘We’re so lucky to live here, aren’t we?’ said Rachel. ‘On a night like this it’s beautiful, isn’t it? When you stop and really look.’ With the sun going down, and a lovely feeling of warmth and friendship in the air, it was one of those rare special moments, when you take stock and simply enjoy the moment.

‘Yes, we’re usually running about like blue-arsed flies and don’t really see it, do we,’ Eve agreed. ‘I love it here too. It’s a little piece of heaven … oh …’ Eve stopped herself, cursing her use of words.

‘It’s all right, I know what you mean. And you know what, despite everything. Despite the pain and hurt of these past two years, I do still love this place, the farm, this life.’ Rachel looked out over the dusk-muted mauve shades and curves of the valley; taking in every field and track that she knew by heart. ‘I really can’t imagine being anywhere else.’

Eve placed a gentle hand on Rachel’s shoulder and nodded.

Rachel sat quietly for a while with a heart full of memories, a head full of dreams and all their plans for the Pudding Pantry at Primrose Farm on a pinboard in front of them.

It was exciting and wonderful, but there was so much at stake. Boy, did this new venture have to succeed.