Page 71 of Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

Was that why he was here, because he thought they had money all of a sudden?

Rachel glared at him. How dare he imagine he knew anything at all about their lives?

‘Well, it’s not always as it seems, Jake. And you haven’t been here to see any of it, have you,’ she answered sharply, turning on her heels and marching across to the counter area to get their order ready.

‘All okay?’ Jill spotted her daughter’s bristling body language immediately.

‘It will be when he scuttles back to where he came from,’ Rachel muttered under her breath. It was going to be a difficult week, she could tell. As long as it was only a week. She took out her frustration on the coffee machine, slamming the cup down, and wishing it was more than just beans in that coffee grinder. She let Jill take the order back across to them once it was ready.

Eve popped by that afternoon with Amelia in tow.

‘So, how’s it going, my lovelies?’ Eve asked.

‘Hi, Eve. Yeah, pretty good. We’ve had a steady flow of customers so far and some great feedback. Oh, and we’ve sold one of your soft toys today already – Simon the sheep.’ Oh yes, they all had names.

‘Aw, that’s brilliant, I’m so chuffed. Thanks, and well done to you, too. It looks so great in here. Oh, and before I forget, I’ve found someone to put those chandeliers up.’ Eve knew all about the antics with the electrician, Carl, who wouldn’t be invited back.

‘Oh, fab.’

‘Yes, Susan’s husband, who sometimes does odd jobs for the school, has done a bit of electrical work in his time. He’s happy to come and take a look, and rig them up for a small fee and a chocolate pudding, I believe.’

‘Great. So, do you want a tea or coffee? Any of our pudding delights? Maybe a milkshake for Amelia?’

‘Ooh, yes, please.’ Amelia grinned. ‘Mummy, can I have a chocolate one?’

‘Of course. And I’ll have a tea, do you have a camomile?’

‘Yep, no problem.’

‘Where’s Maisy?’ asked Amelia, looking about for her friend.

‘Oh, she’s just out with her dad for a while.’

They’d headed back out after their lunch.

Eve raised her eyebrows questioningly at that. Rachel just shrugged before adding, ‘They’re here somewhere on the farm, so you might get to see her in a minute, Amelia.’

After Rachel had got their drinks, Jill said she was happy to cover the counter to let Rachel have a few minutes to sit and talk with her friend. By the time Amelia’s milkshake was slurped and the last bits of chocolatey froth scooped up from the bottom of the glass, Maisy had come back in, delighted to see her playmate. So, the girls went running off to play on the slide in the garden. Granny Ruth, who’d been in the barn giving Jill a hand whilst Maisy was with Jake, offered to go and keep an eye on them.

Jake hung around, looking awkward, at the doorway.

‘Just give me a sec, Eve.’ Rachel went across to him.

‘Well, that’s me done for today,’ he stated, as though he’d just completed an onerous task. ‘I’ll be back tomorrow for the beach day with her, like we agreed, yeah?’

‘Okay, yes.’ Try and be positive about this, Rachel told herself. It was just one day, and Maisy did seem to be getting on all right with him.

‘I’ll be over round about ten-thirty.’

‘Fine.’ She was being abrupt and she knew it. The word belied what her heart was telling her.

With that he set off, shouting a quick ‘Bye’ across to Maisy in the garden.

Rachel could see Maisy waving back. A sigh escaped her lips as she turned back around to face the pantry, well aware of the new tension knotting her shoulders.

‘So, how’s it going with Jake and Maisy?’ Eve asked, as Rachel got back to the table.

‘Ah, so, so. They seem to be getting on all right together. But he wants to take her out to the beach tomorrow for the day. I’ve had to say yes, but I know I’ll feel nervous all day. He’s just not used to kids. And they hardly know each other really. But what can I do … he’s her dad. I can’t really stop him from seeing her, can I?’

‘No, I suppose not. He’ll want to give her a nice day out though. I’m sure he’ll try his best to look after her, and if something’s not quite right, she’ll put him right and tell him how it’s done, knowing Maisy.’

‘Hah, yes she probably will. She’s already been calling him a learner dad.’

‘Hah, good old Maisy.’

‘It’s hard though, Eve. Letting her go. She’s still so young, and he can be such a prat. I’ll be worried all day. Imagine if it was Amelia …’

‘Yeah, I’d be concerned too. But it’s only fair to let him try, and Maisy’s been asking about him more lately, hasn’t she? Maybe some good will come of it.’

‘I hope so. I just don’t want her upset again. I can’t see him staying around for long though.’

‘No, maybe not. At least if he goes again, she’ll be able to remember him this time.’

‘Remember what a prat he is, you mean.’ Rachel couldn’t help herself. She was trying her best to put on a smile – for Maisy’s sake more than anything – but Jake had a knack for pushing her buttons. Her little girl was the most precious thing in the word and if he even thought about hurting Maisy, unintentionally or otherwise, she’d have him running for the Cheviot Hills.