Page 46 of Christmas at Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

‘Look, I can understand your fears, but aren’t you jumping the gun here, Rach? They’re just having a day out. He’s never been that bothered about having Maisy to stay with him before. So, try not to worry too much about something that might never happen.’

‘I know, but that’s easier said than done.’

‘You’ve done a brilliant job bringing up Maisy, and then look at Jake’s track record. No court in the land would favour him above you.’

‘No, I suppose you’re right. I’m overreacting, aren’t I?’

‘Another brownie will help get this into perspective. And I could always open another little bottle of prosecco to share. What do you think?’

‘I think you are the best friend ever. Thank you.’

‘You, my lovely, are most welcome.’

Rachel sat at the farmhouse kitchen table, tugging at a hangnail on her thumb. The clock was ticking away on the wall mockingly, already showing two minutes past six. She’d completed the farm checks, helped Mum to tidy up the Pantry, and on her way back from Eve’s earlier she’d also tried to call and see Tom, her chat with Eve having calmed her somewhat and helped to put things back in perspective. Rachel felt far better able to explain the Jake scenario with Tom and to make an apology for being brusque with him about the lunch date; she might even have found out why he hadn’t answered the door that night, but frustratingly he was out. She caught up with his farm help, Jack, who said he’d gone off to the merchants in Alnwick to pick up a tupping harness, as the local store had run out.

The hum of an engine and the crunch of gravel under tyres came from the yard, and Rachel was up and out of her chair like a shot.

Maisy soon burst in through the porch door. ‘Mummy! Look, I’ve got a real Olaf!’ She thrust a cuddly toy towards Rachel, with a happy grin. ‘Chelsea bought it for me.’ She turned to glance coyly at Jake and Chelsea who were following her across the yard.

‘Well, that’s lovely, isn’t it,’ Rachel tried her best to keep her tone light. ‘And the film was good?’

‘There was singing and dancing and snow, and Olaf was so cute in it. And I had chocolate ice cream and popcorn.’

‘Brilliant.’

Other than being a little hyper from an overdose of sugary treats, she did seem to have had a good day, thankfully. Rachel managed to smile and to politely ask Jake and his girlfriend if they’d like to come in, despite her inner scowl.

‘Ah thanks, Rach, but I think we’d better crack on.’ He looked at Chelsea who was nodding vigorously and almost jumping out her skin as Moss padded across the yard. ‘Got the B & B to check in to yet. Need to find a nice place for supper too.’

‘So, are you back to see Maisy tomorrow?’ Rachel knew she had to clarify so Maisy knew what she’d be doing.

‘Ah, well the thing is …’ He looked sheepish. ‘Well, me and Chels have plans, actually.’

‘Ri-ight.’ Evidently plans which didn’t involve five-year-old girls. Rachel felt Maisy’s disappointment, seeing her daughter’s face drop. Bloody typical! No doubt a cosy romantic day for the two of them was on the cards. And she’d given hers up for him and his paternal visit, the twat. So that was it, day trip done, the duty visit and daddy-time was over.

Maisy hugged Chelsea and then Jake at the threshold to the farmhouse before they left, holding on to her daddy extra tight.

‘Missing you already,’ he called out, as he strolled to the car. ‘I’ll ring you, Maisy. Like we usually do, yeah.’

Grrrrr, was rolling through Rachel’s mind. ‘Don’t you forget,’ Rachel warned, taking her little girl’s hand protectively in her own, ‘And every week, like you promised.’

‘All right, all right, no worries.’ He looked irritated by Rachel’s comments, swatting them away like flies.

‘Bye, Rachel, nice to meet you. You’ve got a lovely little girl there,’ Chelsea added, giving her a small smile. She seemed to have genuinely got on well with Maisy, and Rachel was thankful for that.

The comment brought a lump to her throat. ‘Thank you.’ Yes, she did, and she had done a damned good job of bringing her up. Jake really had played no part in that.

For the second time that day, Rachel watched the dark blue car drive away down the farm track. And this time she had her daughter’s hand safely in her own.

The Sixth Bake of Christmas

Lemon Be-Ro Rich Biscuits and Jill’s Biscuit Christmas Tree

Jill’s old Be-Ro book (40th Edition) sits tucked in the back of the Baking Bible.

Use the Be-Ro recipe for lemon rich biscuits, or alternatively make a shortbread dough. Cut out into star shaped biscuits of varying sizes, from small to large. You will need at least three different sizes of star cutters, or you can buy sets specially made for this.

Once baked, allow to cool and then ice with either white or green water-icing. Stack into a Christmas tree shape using three large, two medium and two small stars or triangles, or ever-decreasing which you can buy as a set. Use any spare icing to stick them together, making the star points stick out at differing angles. Drizzle with a little extra white icing and decorate with edible silver or coloured balls to replicate Christmas baubles.