Page 74 of Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

Ten more minutes ticked by, then fifteen, twenty. Rachel was clockwatching anxiously. Still no Maisy or Jake. She tried his mobile, no answer on that. Damn it, she couldn’t help but worry. Jill tried to reassure her that they’d be back any minute, that Jake had probably just lost track of the time, but Rachel could tell her mum was getting a bit nervous too.

Finally, there was the hum of a vehicle coming up the farm track, the crunch of tyres on the gravel outside. Rachel was up and out of her seat at the kitchen table like a shot. It was the grey van, thank heavens, with Jake climbing out of it.

Rachel flew out of the porch door. ‘Where the hell have you been? You said you’d be back by five o’clock! Maisy’s missed her tea time and everything.’ Rachel was wound up like a spring by this point.

‘Hey, no need to stress, it’s fine. We’ve had fish and chips for supper. We stopped off at Seahouses on the way back.’ He sounded cool as a cucumber.

‘And you didn’t think to call, or that I might be worried? Jake, it’s not fine. I had no idea where you were or if anything was wrong.’ His laissez-faire attitude to life was doing her head in. It didn’t work like that once you had kids.

Maisy got out of the van. She stood between them, her shoulders hunched. Rachel realised she’d better tone things down a bit. It wasn’t Maisy’s fault, after all. ‘Well, at least you’re back now.’

Maisy’s hair was damp and her T-shirt even damper, as though the water from the hair on her shoulders had soaked in. Hadn’t he even thought to dry it properly? Rachel clenched her fists and it took a considerable effort to stop herself from having another go.

Jake noted Rachel’s stormy gaze. ‘We’ve been swimming. Well, splashing about really. It’s been fun, hasn’t it, Maiz?’

Maisy nodded. Rachel could see that her hair hadn’t been brushed or anything after being in the sea. It’d take ages to get the knots out now, as it was thick and wavy. Rachel would have to wash it before bed and use loads of conditioner. She tried to keep her voice calm, however, for her little girl’s sake. ‘So, have you had a good time then, Maisy?’

‘Yes, really good. We’ve had ice cream and chips and look …’ She pulled out a new soft-toy puffin from her bag.

He was very cute. So, the gift shop ploy had obviously materialised.

‘He’s lovely, have you got a name for him yet?’

‘Puffy.’

‘Okay, good name for a puffin.’

For a brief moment, Rachel wondered whether to ask Jake in, merely out of politeness, as they were standing out on the farmhouse step, but she was still fuming that he hadn’t even thought to call. Also, it was already getting late to get Maisy settled for a bath and bed. Another late night wouldn’t be a good thing for her. Though she seemed okay, Rachel could spot the ‘I’m tired but really pretending not to be’ a mile off.

‘Right then,’ Rachel announced, as much to Jake as Maisy. ‘Time to get you in ready for bath and bed.’

‘Aw …’

‘Come on, you’ve had a busy day and it’s time to let Jake go and have a rest too.’

‘Are you coming back tomorrow?’ she asked, looking up at him. There was a hint of anxiety in her voice, announcing her worry that this might be it, her Daddy-time over.

‘Yeah, of course, sweetheart. I’ll pop in and see you. In the afternoon some time, okay?’ He looked at Rachel to check, who gave a small nod. She was beginning to calm down a little now she knew that Maisy was safely home.

‘Yes, that’s fine,’ Rachel said. It sounded more like a quick visit to the farm than a full outing this time. Maybe a whole day had worn his fathering skills down already, Rachel mused. And there must only be a few more days of his holidays left anyhow.

Jill appeared at the step. ‘Hi Maisy, had fun at the beach? Hello, Jake,’ she added, coolly.

‘Yes, Grandma, I’ve been in the sea and for ice creams, and this is Puffy.’ She was heading into the farmhouse now, holding out her new toy proudly.

‘See ya, Maiz.’ Jake smiled at her.

‘By-ye.’

‘What do you say, Maisy? For all your treats and your day out?’ Rachel reminded her.

‘Thank you.’

‘Good girl.’

Maisy took Grandma Jill’s hand and went on inside. The tiredness evidently creeping up on her already. Rachel knew she must be on the wave of an emotional rollercoaster, seeing her dad so out of the blue and starting to get to know him, bless her.

‘She’s been a good girl for me,’ Jake commented.