Page 86 of Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

Chapter 35

HARVEST SUPPER

The wheat was ready, and it was harvesting time at Tom’s farm. Rachel knew that meant long days and late nights for him until the crop was all in. She’d left her fantasies where they were, as fantasies, and decided to concentrate on real life and the issues they needed to face at Primrose Farm.

Whilst the Pudding Pantry had started off pretty well, it wasn’t exactly doing a roaring trade either. They’d nearly completed their first month and, working out all the trading figures and costs so far, they looked like they’d make a slim profit. She knew things should improve as they got more established and built a reputation, but the busier summer season would be drawing to a close in a few weeks, and they’d need to keep things going through the autumn and winter. She and Jill would need to get their thinking caps on; finding ways to promote the pudding business – there was no resting on their laurels just yet.

Whilst she was out on her morning rounds, Rachel spotted Tom in the big yellow combine harvester, with two tractors and trailers lined up ready to lead the grain. They’d be working flat out whilst the weather was dry today. It was opportune that he did arable as well as livestock, as that meant she could always buy in a good supply of straw for the animal sheds through the winter; his farm had supplied theirs for years in that way. She gave a friendly wave across the field, not sure if he’d actually see her.

He had sent a lovely text the morning after that magical barbecue night, saying how much he’d enjoyed the evening, with two ‘x’ kisses at the end of the message. And they’d messaged more since, just nice and chatty. But now two days had passed and as she hadn’t seen him in person, the events of that night were starting to feel a bit surreal.

It was a Sunday, and Eve had offered to have Maisy for the day, to give Jill and Rachel the chance to concentrate on the Pantry, the weekends being their busiest days.

Frank, the chirpy old gent, was back in at ten-thirty sharp just as they opened, for his morning coffee and pudding. He liked trialling the new flavours and additions to the range, giving his honest opinion to Jill on each, the clear winner for him so far being the jam roly-poly with custard, with the sticky toffee coming in a close second. There were also two elderly ladies from the village, Jean and Valerie, who loved to call in for a slice of cake with a pot of tea on a Tuesday and Thursday morning. Friday mornings generally brought in the mums and tots after playgroup for twelve-noon treats, which sometimes extended to a bite of lunch – Rachel had found and spruced up Maisy’s high chair and Eve had donated the one she’d had for Amelia too, which had helped. It was fabulous to have some regular customers as well as welcoming the one-off holiday makers and day trippers, and it was even better seeing them all enjoying themselves. It was just that customer numbers needed to be higher to make the business run more profitably and to make a real difference to the farm’s income.

But these things didn’t happen overnight, businesses needed time to build. Rachel knew that, it was just her bank balance that was impatient.

At the end of a steady day, there were several scones left, a wedge of carrot cake, and some rashers of bacon and bread rolls that wouldn’t be fresh enough to serve when they reopened tomorrow. Rachel would bet that Tom wasn’t eating much fresh food just now, most likely a packet of crisps and a few chocolate bars to keep him going in the cab of the combine. Maybe she should take him and the other tractor drivers some ‘bait’ to keep them going this evening. It would be nice to help them out and … she admitted to herself, just to see him, however briefly.

Jill agreed that was a great idea and they made some fresh bacon rolls, and packed up a picnic bag of buttered scones and slices of cake. They were nearly ready to close up the Pudding Pantry with it edging close to five o’clock as it was. Jill said she was happy to finish off there.

Rachel popped some apples that they’d had in the farmhouse into the bag for good measure, and drove the quad along the lane to the field where they were working. She’d let Moss hop on the back too, as he’d been cooped up in his kennel most of the day.

Rachel pulled up on the grass verge just past the gate, knowing that Tom would see her at some point and stop when appropriate. He pulled the combine to a halt once the trailer beside him was filled with a heap of grain, and motioned to the next tractor driver that they were going to take a break.

‘Hi there,’ Rachel called across, as Tom came down out of the cab of the huge yellow combine harvester.

‘You okay? Everything all right?’ He looked a bit concerned, seeing her turn up out of the blue.

‘Yes fine, sorry to stop you, but I thought you might all want some supper to keep you going. It’s just some stuff we had spare at the Pantry.’

‘Great, you’re an angel. I’m starving.’

‘Thought you might be – there’re bacon rolls and more.’

‘Brilliant. Couldn’t have been better timing. Thank you.’ He looked in the bag and grinned. ‘We’ll take a few minutes out, but we do need to crack on,’ he explained.

‘It’s okay, I know that.’

He brushed his hand across her bare forearm, looking like he wanted to take her into a hug right there and then, but Jack, one of the tractor drivers, was already making his way over to them.

‘Look, when can I see you?’ he said hurriedly before Jack reached them. ‘Can you come across to mine as we finish? It might be late, mind. I’ll text.’

Now they were standing so close, that spark between them was so damned obvious.

‘Yes, okay.’ She’d sort something with Mum and Maisy. It sounded like it would likely be past Maisy’s bedtime anyhow.

‘Hey, Jack, see this. We’ve got a food delivery,’ Tom called across with a grin.

‘Ace, cheers Rachel,’ Jack replied, making a thumbs up sign.

‘Okay, well I’d better go and help Mum clear up back at the Pudding Pantry. Hope it all goes well with the combining this evening.’

‘Cheers.’ Tom didn’t add anything about seeing her later in front of Jack, but the sparkle in his eyes spoke volumes.

‘Come on then, Moss, we’re away boy.’ The pair of them leapt back on the vehicle and set off. Rachel’s heart was going like the clappers all the way back as she daydreamed about what might happen later.

It was past seven o’clock when Tom’s text finally came through.