Page 62 of Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

Chapter 26

A PROPER PUDDING PARTY

How do you launch a Pudding Pantry? With puddings of course! In fact, puddings, Pimm’s and prosecco! It was summer, after all.

The most delightful selection of mini puddings were ready, laid out on blue-and-white china platters, in the barn’s kitchen. There were mini sticky toffee and chocolate, there were mini pavlovas each with a blob of fresh cream and a raspberry on, the strawberry Victoria sponges, squares of moist dark chocolate brownies, some lemon drizzle cupcakes and still-warm slices of jam roly-poly pudding that Granny Ruth had made. She had also made some cheese-and-chive scones as a savoury option. Rachel had baked a large rectangular carrot cake and cut it into small squares to help out. There was probably enough to feed a sweet-toothed army – good thing considering they had at least thirty confirmed guests.

Maisy and Amelia were ready to help out as waitresses with their pinafores on – though Rachel feared somewhat for the plates and treats as Maisy could be a little accident-prone. But still, it was nice they wanted to be a part of it.

Eve was a star and had helped out all morning, setting out the wooden spoon table numbers in old-fashioned milk bottles, and her craft goodies were all ready for display on the two wooden dressers. The shelves of cute soft-toy animals, children’s knits, wooden pastel-shaded hearts, stars, plaques with cute and quirky sayings and mini dried-flower bouquets looked rather wonderful. They had also scaled ladders to hang up Eve’s pretty handmade bunting with its floral and polka-dot soft-green print.

On a quick coffee break earlier, she’d given Rachel and Jill a beautiful wall plaque that she’d crafted herself, as a surprise. It said, ‘Welcome to the Pudding Pantry’ in gorgeous white italics. It was such a thoughtful gift, and it had brought tears to Rachel’s eyes as she unwrapped it from the tissue paper. In fact, it had been a bit of a teary morning all round.

With just ten minutes to go, Rachel rushed back into the barn, carrying paper napkins and plates. She stopped and looked around, taking in the transformation. There it was again, that lump in her throat. How much they had managed to achieve in such a short space of time, despite the odd hiccup along the way. The kitchen in the barn was ready for action with its pudding platters all lined up, and the newly made wooden counter looked warm and welcoming, ready for its customers. On the side, the mix-and-match selection of crockery was all set out ready for teas and coffee for their guests.

Out in the sitting area were the white-painted tables and chairs, and on every table were posies of sweet peas from their kitchen garden in pretty jam jars. The bunting was strewn along the walls with its floral and spotted flags. Rachel hadn’t got her dream chandeliers yet, as funds were too tight, so there were just plain lightbulbs from the ceiling for now, but a selection of lampstands brought across from the farmhouse worked well. And with the lovely arched window built around the barn door, there was plenty of natural light anyhow.

Rachel took a deep breath. This was it, they were as ready as they could be. They had given it all they had to get the Pantry ready on time.

Jill walked in and stood behind Rachel, placing a hand on her shoulder. ‘It looks wonderful, doesn’t it? You’ve done so well, love.’

‘We’ve done so well, Mum,’ Rachel corrected her.

They shared a heartfelt moment – full of joy, pride, and a sense of achievement in all that they’d strived to do. And they knew they were both thinking of Dad right then. Neither voiced this, as they needed to hold it together. And then, beyond today, they knew they had to make this work as a business.

Neither Rachel nor Jill was able to speak for a few seconds, as they stood gazing at the completed barn.

The sound of a vehicle rolling up outside jerked them back to the present. In through the barn door came Tom and, oh … he was carrying the most beautiful bouquet of flowers.

‘Just the ladies I’m looking for,’ he beamed. ‘Congratulations.’ He passed the bouquet to Jill. ‘For you both.’

‘Oh Tom, they’re beautiful,’ Jill said, beaming.

‘Thank you so much,’ added Rachel, finding that she couldn’t quite meet his eye. ‘And I know just the spot where they can go. Just there on the counter top, don’t you think, Mum?’

‘Oh yes. Pride of place. Thank you, Tom. That’s so very kind.’

‘Well, it’s an important day. How’s it all going? Ready for the off?’

‘I think so,’ answered Jill. ‘It’s all a bit nerve-wracking, but we’ve done all we can, haven’t we pet? I’ll just go pop these in a vase.’

Tom looked around at the new interior. ‘Wow, you’ve done a great job here. So, how many have you got coming?’

‘Well, we think about thirty, though Mum’s been a bit free and easy with her invites so that’s a ballpark figure. We’ll see.’

‘Can I help with anything?’ Tom offered.

‘Um, I think we’re about there. But perhaps you could keep an eye that everyone’s glasses are topped up once we’re up and running. There’s prosecco and Eve’s making Pimm’s over in the farm kitchen, so there will be a spare jug left made up in there. Just in case I get caught up chatting or something.’

‘Yeah, that’s fine, no worries. I’ll be chief Pimm’s pourer. I’ve had much worse jobs in my time.’

‘Hah, I bet you have.’ Farming was renowned for being a messy business.

Maisy came running in then. ‘Tom, I’m chief waitress. I’ve got an apron and everything and Amelia is my helper. Can I start yet, Mummy? Can I have the cakes to carry?’

‘We’ll just wait a few more minutes, Maisy, until some other guests get here. If Tom doesn’t mind, that is?’

‘I suppose I’ll just have to wait.’ He pulled a face, pretending to be upset. ‘No, that’s fine. We’d better hang on Maisy, and do as we’re told.’ He winked. ‘That’s a very pretty dress, by the way,’ he added.