Page 28 of Summer at Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

‘Don’t you remember we used to plait each other’s hair as little girls?’

‘Hah, yeah, of course.’ Two little girls, sitting out in the meadow, chattering away, braiding each other’s hair, Rachel remembered those days fondly. She and Eve went back so far.

‘That sounds pretty,’ said Wendy, taking up her florist’s photo album. ‘And look,’ she leafed through some images, finding the picture she wanted. ‘I was helping a local hairdresser; we worked some flowers through the bridesmaids’ braids, and that looked gorgeous. Oh, and this one was for the bride, I made a flower wreath. If we kept it to the small pink rosebuds, a cornflower here and there to add contrast, and something white and delicate like gypsophila, that could work really well.’

‘What about daisies? It used to be daisies when we were little …’ Rachel reminisced. It was all coming back now; how they’d make daisy chains and pop them like wreaths on top of each other’s heads, sometimes tucking a single one above their ear.

‘Well, normal daisies would wilt very quickly, especially if it’s a warm summer’s day, but leave it with me, as there are certain florist types that will last longer. Hmm, I might be able to delicately wire the stalks, so they’ll stay secure. Yes, that could work well, and I’ll get the colours to all tie in with your bouquet.’ Wendy was clearly getting into the flow of the idea now.

‘I think that sounds absolutely lovely.’ Rachel gave a wide grin, happy and relieved that it was all settled, just as Eve burst tunefully into, ‘Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do …’

The two girls dissolved into happy giggles.

‘That look is just you, Rach, and definitely boho-chic. And, how perfect will it be with your dress?’ she added with a beam.

It certainly did all look pretty, but Rachel couldn’t help but be aware of her limited budget. Yet Wendy assured her these were sensible choices with costings in mind, and that she’d work out detailed prices for Rachel as soon as possible.

They left with grateful thanks, a hug from Wendy, and a sigh of relief from Rachel. It had gone blooming well. And it was yet another item for Rachel to check off the mammoth wedding planning list – phew.

‘Oh, I can just picture the name settings for the tables now … handwritten on cute brown luggage labels with a dried pink rosebud stuck on to match your wedding flowers. What do you think, Rach?’ Eve was on a creative high as they made their way back in the Land Rover along the country lanes.

Rachel thanked heavens that her best friend was full of artistic ideas. Goodness knows how her big day might turn out if she was left to her own devices. She might well have resorted to using black marker pens on cattle tags for her place names!

‘So,’ Eve gave a big grin from the passenger seat, ‘the flowers are going to look stunning. I can already picture the tables in the tipi, set up with that gorgeous country look. Everything’s coming together brilliantly, isn’t it? Oh Rach, it’s going to be such a fantastic day.’

‘Yeah,’ Rachel answered, a little flat. Of course, it was all great, but the small matter of where exactly they were going to live as a married couple was still weighing on her mind.

‘Okay … what’s up? You’re about to marry Mr Absolutely Gorgeous and your face looks like a wet weekend. What’s going on, Rach?’

Rachel concentrated on the road ahead for a few seconds. The text she’d sent to Tom earlier had so far gone unanswered. He might well have been busy out and about on the farm – it wasn’t always easy to chat as she well knew – but his silence had left her feeling distinctly uneasy. ‘Oh, Eve … if we can’t even sort out where we are going to live, how are we going to get through the months and years ahead? All the decisions, the curveballs that life throws at you on the way?’

‘Look, I know it’s hard making the right decision about where to live, but you’re no quitter, Rachel Swinton. That’s not enough to pull the rug from under you … I’ve seen you two together, how bloody amazing you are together. You really are made for each other; it just took you both a while to realise it. You’ll work it out, hun.’

‘Yes, I suppose … I just haven’t heard from him either. I want to talk but I’m getting a bit of radio silence.’

‘Oh, don’t worry, hun, he’s probably just caught up. And would it really be so bad living there, at Tom’s? It’s not as though you’d be a million miles away, and it’d give you both some space. You can’t really be canoodling in front of your mum.’

‘No, I know,’ Rachel managed a small smile. ‘But hah, remember we do have Maisy in tow too. So, there won’t be that much canoodling going on.’

‘Tell me about it …’ Eve gave an understanding groan.

‘But you’re right about Mum, there’s no way I’d ever want to suggest she finds somewhere new to live. I’d feel like I was chucking her out. It’s her home as much as mine. More so, as it’s where she and dad have been since they were married …’ She realised she needed to make this clear to Jill too, once she and Tom had had a proper heart-to-heart. It was time to sort all this out, for everyone’s sake.

Maybe it was the thought of leaving all of those memories of Dad behind that was really holding her back – her childhood home, the tug of her heartstrings. Was she being stubborn, selfish? But after his death, she’d given a silent promise that she’d take the farm forward, keep it precious for them all. Could she still do that if she lived next door? So many thoughts were pulling her in contrary directions.

‘It needn’t be for ever, either,’ added Eve sagely. ‘Life can change. Look, if Tom’s so keen on having you both there, why not try starting out at his and see how it goes? You’ll be at Primrose every day to work, for the farm, the Pantry too. So, you’ll still be there in essence.’

It was beginning to make sense, and it was good to have a new perspective on all this.

‘Thanks, Eve. That’s great advice.’ Rachel smiled across at her friend as she pulled to a stop outside Eve’s cottage.

‘Time for a coffee, hun?’

‘Much as I’d love to, I’ve a million jobs waiting for me on the farm. The most exciting prospect being checking the sheep’s armpits and arses for fly-strike.’ Oh, the glamorous life of a farmer.

‘Ha! No worries, maybe another time soon.’

Rachel sensed a hint of disappointment in her friend’s tone. Damn, she hadn’t had a chance to ask Eve how things were with her and Ben lately. Maybe Eve wanted more time to talk, just the two of them.