Page 66 of Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

Chapter 28

A CONFLAB OVER A CUPPA

As dusk descended, the sky fading into soft hues of mauve and pink, Rachel looked out of the farmhouse kitchen window, watching Jake on the garden bench and Maisy playing on her slide. Even though it was the school holidays, she was well aware it was way past Maisy’s bedtime. It was time for Jake to make a move to wherever he planned on staying. (Rachel hoped he did have a plan and his back-up didn’t include staying with them – as that was never going to happen.)

She made her way out to the garden. ‘Hey, Maisy, it’s time for teeth-brushing and bed,’ she called out. She spotted her daughter’s brown-soled bare feet. Ah, she probably ought to give her daughter a quick shower too. She hoped Jake would take the hint and make his move.

‘Aw …’ Maisy screwed up her face in protest, but Rachel could see just how tired her little girl really was.

‘Five more minutes won’t hurt,’ Jake countered.

Hah – who the hell did he think he was waltzing in unannounced and now giving extended bedtimes?! Rachel fumed. She bit her lip before answering. ‘Actually, it’s an hour past Maisy’s bedtime, after what’s been an incredibly busy day, so it really is time for bed. So, Jake, where are you staying?’ she asked pointedly.

‘Ah, I’ve got a B&B in mind.’

He sounded deliberately vague. It obviously wasn’t booked.

‘Can I see Maisy again tomorrow? Would you like that, Maiz?’

‘Yes!’ She beamed. She’d found her daddy at last and, after her initial shyness, she was clearly bursting with excitement.

‘Yeah, I’d like to take her out for the day. Maybe down to the beach. Do you like the beach, Maisy?’

‘Yes. Can I, Mummy?’ The eagerness in her daughter’s voice was almost painful to hear, but Rachel couldn’t shake off her wariness. Did Jake have any experience with kids at all? Should she just let her little girl go off with him when he’d only turned up today? Was he responsible enough? Maisy was only five years old after all.

Rachel really wanted to chat this new development through with her mum, but she was faced with a dilemma with two eager faces wanting her answer now.

‘Umm, look … Maisy, can you pop to the house and see Grandma for a minute? She was going to start the shower off for you, I think.’ A little white lie to give her a chance to talk with Jake alone.

‘O-kay.’ Maisy lumbered off the slide. ‘See you tomorrow, Da …’ she paused, not quite sure what to call him just yet. That moment of confusion alone broke Rachel’s heart.

‘Yeah, I can’t wait, sweetheart.’ He grinned, then as soon as she was out of earshot, his tone changed. ‘So …? What is it?’

‘She hardly knows you, Jake. And you, really what do you know about looking after little girls?’

‘It can’t be that difficult. I’m only going to buy her some ice cream and take her to the beach. She’s my daughter, Rach. I thought you’d be pleased that I’ve come up and made the effort.’ He looked irked.

Rachel knew she had to tread carefully. She knew what Jake’s temper looked like. ‘Yeah, it’s good you’ve come to see her,’ she conceded, not wanting to get into a conflict so soon. ‘It’s just been so out of the blue. It’s probably a bit overwhelming for her. Look, why don’t you come and see her again tomorrow, but stay here? She can show you around the farm or something? You can get to know each other.’ Under our supervision, Rachel was really thinking. ‘Then, if all goes well, you can take her out over the weekend for that beach trip.’ She felt that was a reasonable enough compromise, though she knew she’d be anxious every second her little girl was away with him.

‘All right, though I don’t know why you think I can’t handle it.’ There was a hard edge to his tone. She remembered it from years back.

‘It’s just about making sure it’s right for Maisy, that’s all, Jake.’

‘Fine, well, I’ll get away then. I’ll be back in the morning, say ten-ish?’

‘Okay.’

They finished on a frosty note with each other, but Rachel was doing her best to stay polite whilst protecting Maisy. She felt she had every right to put some boundaries in place, with Jake having been absent for so long.

Being a parent wasn’t optional in her book.

Rachel headed up to the bathroom a few minutes later to find that Jill had already started the shower for Maisy.

‘I’ll take over now if you want, Mum.’

‘All okay, love?’ Jill was perched on the closed lid of the toilet seat. Her brow was creased in concern.

‘Yeah, fine.’ They’d chat some more once Maisy was safely tucked up in bed. ‘Nearly done in there, petal?’ Rachel asked.