Page 51 of Christmas at Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

Vanessa raised her eyebrows nastily, ‘That’s what they all say! Yes, I saw her in the village just the other day.’ She left the words hanging leadingly.

Maybe that was the woman in the Pantry a few days ago? The one who was staring and acting shifty? She’d quiz Eve and her mum later as to Caitlin’s appearance. She really couldn’t remember much about her, as it was several years since Tom’s wife had left the neighbouring farm. And Rachel was too busy getting on with life and a new baby back then.

She took a deep breath to compose herself. All that quizzing could come later; for now, she needed to concentrate, and next it was the turn of her very own lemon tart.

Slices were plated, spoons raised and mouths filled. Vanessa was the first to launch into commentary, with the others being far too busy enjoying their first mouthful. Actually, the first thing Vanessa did was frown, and then she looked deadly serious as though she was a judge on Masterchef or something. The lovely ambience within the group from week one was destroyed as she started. ‘Hmm …’ She jotted something down on her notepad, as though she were scoring it points, low points by the scowl on her face.

There were ‘Oohs’ and ‘Aahs’ from the others, and a ‘Delicious!’ from Daniel, which made Rachel smile, but then Vanessa went into food critique gear, as she began to launch into her verbal missile attack. ‘Oh no, no, it’s way too sharp. The pastry’s not as crisp as it could be, and there’s a stodginess about the filling.’ She had a nasty glint in her eye as she spoke, which intensified as she saw Rachel’s shoulders slump.

‘Well, that’s a bit harsh,’ Frank countered sweetly, bless him. ‘I think it’s delicious. It’s not meant to be too sugary and the cream counterbalances the tartness perfectly.’

‘Bloody hell, who does she think she is?’ Eve grumbled next to Rachel. ‘Greg-Bloody-Wallace? Actually no, he loves a pudding and he’d never be that rude,’ she added in a loud whisper. ‘Anyway, you can tell she has a sweet tooth from her expansive waistline.’

‘I think it’s nice to have the variety between the two puddings,’ said Kirsty, one of the young mums from last week. ‘Some sweet like the treacle and others tart like the lemon. I like it. Not so heavy after a main meal, either.’

‘Thanks,’ said Rachel, beginning to feel slightly better, after the initial onslaught.

Daniel nodded in support. ‘I think it’s just right, Rachel. A crisp and short pastry base, nice lemon filling and I really like the addition of the grated lemon rind through it. Lovely.’ He took another bite, and then added, ‘Perfect, in fact.’

Aw, how lovely that the group had rallied in her defence; Rachel felt a tear brimming in her eye.

Vanessa’s pinched face looked far sourer than the lemons in the tart at that point. Before they had chance to chat about other tarts fillings, favourite recipes and suchlike, the old dragon got up to leave. ‘Well, this seems to be a place for chit-chat more than serious baking. I thought it was meant to be some kind of Masterclass.’ She scowled at Rachel and Jill. ‘I haven’t learnt anything new or useful at all. I’ll not be back.’

There was an audible sigh of relief from the rest of the group as she strode out of the Pantry door.

‘Thanks heavens, for that,’ said Frank.

‘Who on earth was that?’ Daniel asked Jill, with a grimace.

‘What a woman. I’ve seen her down in the village, I’m sure,’ said Kirsty. ‘Yes, I remember now, she told off my little boy, Jack, down by the playground in the park for “squawking” too loudly. He was only upset because he’d just fallen over.’

Rachel was shaking her head, still annoyed by Vanessa’s stirring about Tom’s ex-wife, she was now riled that the woman had been so rude and scathing about her baking. ‘No doubt, she’ll be spreading the word about my dreadful lemon tart all around the village, tomorrow.’ And spoiling our good reputation, she added silently. Agh, that woman could really wind her up.

‘Hah, and we’ll spread the word about how delicious it was,’ said Eve indignantly. ‘And remember, there’s nine of us!’

Rachel had to smile at that.

‘More tea anyone, and chit-chat?!’ added Jill brightly, with a mischievous grin.

‘Absolutely,’ said Daniel, giving Jill a supportive smile.

‘Hear, hear,’ said Frank, as the others added, ‘Yes, please.’

‘Anyone for seconds? There’s a little more of both tarts left if anyone would like?’ Jill offered.

‘Marvellous.’

‘Oh, yes, please.’

‘It’d be rude not to!’

It was wonderful to see that nobody else was in any rush to go, and the ambience had lifted no end with the old bat’s departure.

The Pudding Club had been created to help raise some funds for the Pantry business but already Rachel could see that it was becoming far more than that. It was a place for the community to meet up and already there was a sense of belonging. It was a little haven of friendship and a tonic for the soul.

The Seventh Bake of Christmas

Auntie Jean’s Treacle Tart