Page 67 of Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

‘Ye-es,’ Maisy sounded tired.

‘Come on then. I’ve got the big fluffy towel here all ready.’

‘I’ll come and kiss you goodnight once you’re in bed, love,’ said Jill.

‘Okay, Grandma,’ her voice was echoey from the confines of the shower.

Rachel leaned in to turn off the water. She bundled her little girl up and dried her off, wishing she could keep her safe and warm and near like that all the time. She smelt so gorgeously of strawberry shower gel and clean fresh skin.

Pyjamas on and into bed next. Grandma Jill popped in for her goodnight kiss and cuddle as promised, followed by Granny Ruth who was staying over for the night, then Rachel perched herself on the side of her girl’s bed with its unicorn duvet cover.

‘Has he gone?’ Maisy asked, suddenly looking vulnerable.

‘Yeah, but just for this evening. It was getting late. He’s coming back tomorrow.’

‘Oh.’

‘So how did it go … with your dad?’ Rachel wanted to give Maisy the chance to talk if she needed.

‘Okay,’ Maisy sounded non-committal. She looked as though she was thinking hard, trying to untangle her emotions. After a second or two she added, ‘I think he’s a learner dad.’

‘Hah, I think you’re right.’ Rachel smiled. Trust Maisy to get it spot on. ‘So, are you okay with seeing him again tomorrow? Here on the farm?’

‘Ye-es.’ The little girl nodded seriously.

‘Okay. And you know you can chat or tell me anything. It’s all a bit new for you with your dad, I know.’ Rachel wanted to reassure her that she was there for her if needs be, in this new territory they’d found themselves in.

Maisy nodded, then said, ‘Can I have my story now?’

‘Of course. The fairy glen one again?’ It seemed to be her favourite lately, especially after the picnic afternoon and playing in the fern-shaded stream.

Rachel took up the book from the bedside table and started reading, but it wasn’t long before Maisy’s eyes closed. In fact, Rachel’s eyelids were drooping too; she would have loved to curl up and join her.

Jill and Granny Ruth were in conflab over a cup of tea as Rachel came back down to the kitchen.

‘I’ve made you a brew,’ Jill said. ‘It’s here on the table.’

Rachel joined them, pulling out a chair as a small sigh escaped her lips.

‘So how is the little lass?’ asked Granny.

‘She seems okay. A bit overtired. But it’s a hell of a lot for her to take in. You’d think he’d have given us some kind of a warning, so we could have prepared her a bit.’

‘Typical Jake,’ Jill tutted. ‘What about you, love? How are you feeling?’ she asked.

‘Oh Mum, I’m wary. Can’t help wondering what’s behind all this. But I can’t stop him seeing her, can I?’

‘No pet, you can’t, not when he’s her father. But you can keep some control on it though,’ Granny Ruth added.

‘Yes, I’ve tried to do that already.’

‘So, what was he saying?’ Jill queried further.

Rachel repeated their earlier conversation in the garden before he left, explaining that he was just up for a few days – for now, anyway.

‘I can’t stop him seeing her, I know that, but I just don’t trust him. Well, none of us really know him, do we? He was always so lax, so unreliable. Does he even know how to supervise a child? And then, what if he does stick around, raising her hopes, and then buggers off again like the last time? ’Scuse my language, Granny.’

Ruth merely nodded as though she realised the situation merited it.

‘I know love, it’s hard. I’m wary too, I have to admit,’ Jill agreed. ‘But I suppose we have to give him a chance.’

‘And then … what worries me even more,’ all this had been spinning around in Rachel’s mind since he’d turned up, ‘what if he does stay around? What will he want from her, from us? Weekends with her, a split week? What will his influence be on her? I like knowing where she is, what she’s doing. She’s so young, she needs routine, a steady life, especially after everything that happened with Dad.’

‘Let’s not jump the gun now, pet,’ Granny Ruth said wisely. ‘Let’s see what happens over these next few days and take it from there, hey?’

‘He wants to take her to the beach. I said no to tomorrow, it’s too soon, and I want to see how he is with her. So, he’s coming here to visit her at the farm tomorrow instead.’

‘Well that sounds sensible,’ Jill said. ‘Don’t get me wrong, I’m wary too – on high alert in fact – and I’d do anything to protect you and Maisy. But he might have changed a bit, you know, grown up.’

‘I bloody well hope so.’ Rachel took a slug of tea. Argh, it was all so frustrating and the timing could certainly have been better. ‘We need to think about being prepped for tomorrow at the Pudding Pantry too, don’t we?’

‘Yes, we do,’ Jill answered pragmatically. ‘On the bright side, today went well and we’re all stocked up with plenty of puddings. I’ll bake a few fresh scones and a Victoria sponge first thing in the morning and we’ll be ready to open as planned at ten-thirty. That’ll give us plenty to think about, anyhow. Try not to worry too much about Maisy, love. It’ll all work out somehow.’

‘Tomorrow’s another day, pet.’ Granny Ruth smiled gently. All her years of experience, her life, her losses and her loves seemed to be carried in that smile, and it soothed Rachel.

‘Thank you,’ she responded. Her family was so precious to her.