Page 83 of Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

Chapter 34

A SKY FULL OF STARS

What a gorgeous evening it had been, and it was especially lovely for Rachel to be looked after since her horrid flu. Tom had come up trumps and made a barbecue of sausages and gammon, along with a mixed salad and jacket potatoes. Rachel, Jill and Maisy were sitting on a picnic bench in his garden with dessert bowls of hot bananas that had been cooked in their skins over the glowing coals. They were soft and sweet, with a spoonful of vanilla ice cream now melting over, and a splash of dark rum for the adults. Delicious!

The sun had gone down and the sky had softened to a peachy-grey hue. Maisy was now slumped comfortably on Jill’s lap, trying hard to keep her eyes open. She had a full tummy and was exhausted after an hour of play on a makeshift waterslide that Tom had set up with an old tarpaulin and lots of soapy water.

Jill finished her glass of white wine and said she’d head off soon and get Maisy to her bed. Rachel shifted from her seat, ready to help her. ‘No, you stay a while if you like, love, it’s early yet. We’ll be fine. I’m sure Tom would appreciate some company for a bit longer.’

‘Well, let me take you and Maisy back in my truck then, Jill.’ Tom stood, ready to pick up the little girl in his arms. ‘She’ll be like a lead weight all sleepy like that. Ah … if you want to stay, Rachel, that’d be great. Go ahead and help yourself to another glass of wine.’ He gave her an earnest look, which seemed to say that he’d really like her to stay. ‘I won’t be long.’

‘Okay then, thanks,’ Rachel replied, a little spark of excitement flaring in the pit of her stomach. It was one of those nights you didn’t want to end too soon. A warm and balmy summer’s evening with good food and pleasant conversation. Tom was so easy to talk to, they’d been chatting about farming, about Maisy’s latest antics, the Pudding Pantry and all the work they’d had going on. It had been such a busy time these past few weeks, what with establishing the new business in the barn, Jake coming back and then taking off again with all the emotions around that, not to mention all the usual farm work. With having been ill too, it was so nice just to stop and relax for a few hours.

Rachel felt very mellow, caressing a glass of wine, when Tom arrived back ten minutes later. Mabel, the terrier, jumped out of his truck after him and was soon settling at Rachel’s feet.

‘Thanks for dropping them off.’ Rachel smiled. It was typical Tom, to make sure they were back safe. He was caring, and that was a rather special trait.

‘You okay?’ he asked. ‘Can I top your glass up there?’

‘Would be rude not to,’ Rachel commented wryly, the couple of glasses she’d already had loosening her tongue. They both laughed.

He poured some more of the white and then filled his own glass with red.

There was no school for Maisy tomorrow with it now being the long summer holidays. The sheep were all content out in the fields, the cattle fine too, with plenty of grass thanks to the recent wet and warm weather. As a livestock farmer, Rachel found the summer months were a little easier. Wow, she might even get a glimpse of a lie-in tomorrow. How bloody nice would that be?

Tom lit the candle in the storm lantern that he’d put out earlier, which flickered into life and then settled to a soft glow. He sat down beside her on the bench.

‘It’s been a lovely night, thank you,’ Rachel spoke softly.

‘You’re so welcome.’ His dark eyes were smiling and his voice golden-syrup warm. ‘You lot have fed and sheltered me many a time, I think it was well overdue.’

It was he who had provided the shelter, Rachel mused, knowing he was there next door if they ever needed him. They sat side by side talking about their farms, and then he asked how Maisy had been coping since her dad’s surprise appearance, shaking his head at the news of his disappearing act again. Jake had made one phone call to Maisy in the first week, but they were still waiting for the second to materialise ten days thereafter. Broken promises led to broken hearts – for Maisy, that was. Rachel had watched her daughter with sadness as the reality began to sink in; that grown-ups didn’t always do the things they said they would, even the most important things. Maisy was mentioning her dad less already, and seemed a little quieter generally, less naïve, bless her. Rachel had tried to call him herself one morning but there had been no answer – the selfish bastard.

It began to get dark; the sun melting into the horizon. Rachel said yes to a glass of the red wine next as the evening chill began to settle. Tom brought out some fleecy throws from the house to wrap around them, neither wanting to move in or indeed head home just yet.

Rachel leant against Tom with a happy sigh. It felt right and very natural, though it sent her heart rate to the moon. As she did so, she tilted her head, and caught a glimpse of the night sky above. Wow – the stars were out in full force. An inky-dark sky had crept in on dusk’s tail and lit a million glinting gems. Here in rural Northumberland, with no street lights to dim them, they were just stunning!

‘Look at that, Tom,’ she said. ‘Wow.’ She was craning her neck to see. ‘Hang on, I’m going to lie down on the grass and look up properly.’

Rachel got out of her seat, took a couple of paces and then lay, still wrapped in her fleecy throw, on the lawn of Tom’s garden. The grass was damp with dew under her fingertips, but she didn’t mind, and it felt soft as she lay on her back.

‘Good view from down there?’ Tom smiled as he stood up and then lay down beside her.

Rachel was transfixed by the night sky, watching the misty sweeps of galaxies.

‘Oh, look, did you see that?’ she whispered. ‘A shooting star. You have to make a wish.’

‘I’m not sure if I need to right now,’ he whispered back.

His hand brushed hers by accident. Rachel felt it like an electric jolt.

She turned her head away from the stars to look at him. He was gazing at her, his dark eyes full of words not yet spoken. And the world felt like it held its breath for a second …

His hand reached for hers intentionally this time. The look he was giving her melted her insides. He then leaned towards her. Their lips met, tentative and tender at first, then melded in a beautiful, stunning, sexy kiss. Oh yes, it certainly lived up to her dream kiss … and then some.

When their lips finally parted, Tom smiled as he held her gaze. ‘I’ve been waiting to do that for such a long time.’

Rachel felt a surge of joy. ‘Me too.’