Page 96 of Christmas at Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

‘I will.’ She turned her wrist to and fro, so the butterfly wings caught the light.

‘Well then, who’s a very lucky girl,’ said Jill.

‘Thank you so much,’ Rachel said to Tom.

They went through to open their family gifts next, sitting around the Christmas tree by the crackling fire. Maisy had the largest pile, of course. Rachel had bought her some new clothes and a Christmas DVD and the Twister game was there from Father Christmas, as well as the stocking fillers she’d had earlier. Rachel was relieved that Jake had actually remembered to get his daughter’s gift to her on time this year, though the tag looked suspiciously as if it had been written by Chelsea, his girlfriend. But maybe the new woman in his life was helping to keep him in check and reminding him of his fatherly responsibilities. Maisy opened Jake’s parcel to find a dress, the correct size for her age, as well as a bead craft set. Maisy went dashing off to try the frock on straight away.

There were some thoughtful presents between the three ladies. The budget had been tight, and they’d all agreed to keep the gifts small this year. Rachel was looking forward to relaxing in her new bubble bath, with a glass of raspberry gin, and she had two new pairs of cosy-warm socks and some new heavy-duty gloves for working in.

Then it was Tom’s turn. Rachel’s gift to him wasn’t the most exciting, she feared, but she’d got him some nice aftershave, and a checked Barbour scarf to go with his waxed coat. She’d also managed to find a humorous mug for his elevenses coffee that read ‘Eat Sleep Farm Repeat’.

‘These are great, thank you.’ He grinned and gave her a hug. ‘And now your turn.’ He handed her a large box.

‘I’ll help, Mummy.’

Rachel and Maisy tore open the wrapping to find a pair of sensible, and she had to admit, very nice wellington boots. Hers were getting very worn, and she’d noticed a slight leak that day of the storm, so they would be great. ‘Thank you.’ Maybe she’d hoped for something slightly more glamorous, but she smiled gratefully, after all, she was going out with a farmer.

‘Try them on, go on,’ Tom encouraged.

‘Ah, okay.’ She could see they were the right size from the box.

She pulled a boot out and shoved her foot down in it, then her toes met with something solid. Oh, they must have left one of those scrunched up paper things in there, to keep the shape. She dug a hand in to pull out … a smallish square box. Tom began grinning now.

‘What’s this?’

‘Open it and you’ll see …’

And inside the box, Rachel found a gorgeous watch, practical enough that she could wear it day to day but perfectly lovely. And the card said, ‘Time’s precious, Rachel … and I’d really like to spend more time with you.’

‘Oh, Tom, thank you.’

‘That’s so lovely, Tom,’ said Jill.

‘Woohoo!’ said Maisy, while Granny Ruth looked on with a big smile in her face.

43

With their guests due to arrive any minute, Rachel, Jill, Maisy, Ruth and Tom were all set up in the Pantry just before midday, glasses at the ready for a little festive treat of bubbly.

First up the driveway, with a ‘fut fut’ of his car engine, was Frank. He arrived at the barn door, dressed smartly in a tweed jacket, shirt and tie, teamed with a pair of beige trousers, merrily wielding a bottle of Harveys Bristol Cream sherry in one hand, which made Ruth smile as it was one of her favourites, and what looked like a familiarly wrapped pudding in the other.

He passed the bottle to Jill, then doffed his cap, saying, ‘Hello, and Happy Christmas to all. Thank you so much for having me today.’

‘Hello, Frank, Merry Christmas,’ replied Jill. ‘And you’re most welcome.’

‘Happy Christmas, Frank.’ Rachel gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Maisy came running up too, with a big smile. ‘Merry Christmas, Frank.’

‘Oh, and I brought something else along. It might seem a bit odd, seeing as it’s one I bought from here, but I thought it might help out. I suddenly realised I was never going to eat it all to myself. Oh, and I’ve some wrapped gifts and a box of chocolates still in the car too.’

The pudding-shaped gift was, in fact, one of their very own Whisky and Orange Christmas Puddings.

Jill gave a big grin. ‘You’ve just made my day, Frank. We ran out of these yesterday, and guess who didn’t put one aside?’ Jill winked across at Rachel. ‘It was far too late to make more, so we didn’t have a Christmas pudding left for ourselves in the end. So this is wonderful, thank you.’

‘Well, I’m very pleased I brought it now.’

‘So, come on in and welcome to our Christmas Pudding Pantry. Can I get anyone a drink? A sherry or a glass of fizz maybe?’ Rachel offered.