Page 98 of Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

Ben arrived back with Maisy and Amelia who were licking the last of their ice-cream cones.

‘Hi, we’ve had a good time. Made sure we did the Tea Cups before the ice creams.’ Ben grinned.

‘Did you have fun, girls?’

‘Yes! We had two goes on the Cups,’ Amelia chimed.

Maisy’s reply was a more subdued, ‘Yeah.’

‘She doesn’t seem quite herself,’ Ben whispered. ‘I’m wondering if she might be a bit run down.’

‘Thanks for letting me know. Her dad’s still not shown.’

‘Bless her, she’ll be disappointed.’ He shook his head in empathy.

‘Yeah, I think that’s what’s behind it. But, thanks for the heads up.’

‘No worries. Look are you all right packing up here? Need a hand at all?’

‘To be honest, we’ve not got a lot of stock left, so I’m sure I’ll be fine. There’s not that much to take to the truck really.’

‘Mumm-ee, I need a wee,’ Maisy chanted, with a hint of desperation, already doing a little jig and crossing her legs.

‘Ah, actually, can you mind the stall for a few minutes, Ben?’

‘Sure, that’s fine.’

‘We won’t be long.’

Rachel took Maisy’s hand in their dash for the Portaloos. They made it just in time.

As they came out, Rachel realised they were just beside the horticultural tent. She’d never had a chance to find out how Mum’s sticky toffee and her carrot cake had fared in the competition. There might just be time for a quick look before it all got packed away. She was sure Ben wouldn’t mind waiting for five minutes more.

‘Come on, Maisy, let’s take a quick look in and see if Grandma’s pudding’s on show.’

‘Okay.’

In they went, to be greeted by a stunning display of flowers and vegetables, which had evidently been lovingly nurtured and displayed at their prime.

‘These are pretty, Mummy.’ Maisy pointed at some big blooms of dahlia in bold pinks and orange. They’d won the first prize and had a red rosette.

They had a quick scoot around, oohing and ahhing as they passed all the gorgeous colours and arrangements, until they found the baking section.

Maisy skipped on ahead, scanning the labels and prize-winner rosettes.

‘Mummy, Mummy, I think this is Grandma Jill’s!’

There it was, Jill’s sticky toffee pudding sporting the first prize red rosette. Yes! Rachel felt a tear form in her eye. She was so proud of her mum, of how much she’d put into the Pudding Pantry, of how far they’d come.

‘Hey, that’s brilliant. I can’t wait to tell her.’

‘Can I tell her? I saw it first.’

‘Of course, let’s take a picture on my phone and you can show her it when we get back.’

‘Yes.’

She sounded a bit brighter, bless her.