Page 37 of Summer at Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

Okay, I’ll catch you soon then. Why don’t you pop round when you get a few mins later on?

Thanks. Might do that. x

Eve went back to her crafting with a sigh. She wasn’t the only one with troubles on her mind, by the sounds of it. She hoped her friend was all right. And suddenly she felt awful, for there she had been mooching on about some other guy, when all this was going on with Rachel and Tom. The two of them shouldn’t be arguing, no, they should be all excited about their upcoming wedding, and feeling well and truly loved-up right now, with just over three weeks to go. Poor Rachel; she’d sounded worried. It wasn’t like her to send a message like that – she was no drama queen. Eve well knew that her friend would rather keep things to herself most of the time.

She put down the material for the small waistcoat. She’d go and see Rachel right now, find out what was wrong and cheer her up. Maybe she could go and see Tom herself, too, and help iron things out between them. She took their friendship and her maid-of-honour role seriously, and it was time to spring into action. She packed away her materials and popped the cover over her trusted Singer sewing machine that her mother had passed on to her. She’d come back later and crack on again, maybe work late into the evening if needs be to get some more of the toys done, but right now her friend needed her, and some things were more important.

She hopped into her little hatchback car, wondering if anything further might have happened to make Rachel feel down. It was probably just a misunderstanding or some pre-wedding tension building up – but really, those two were so made for each other.

Stepping into the Pudding Pantry, Eve smiled supportively across at Rachel who was serving behind the counter. A smile that said: ‘I’m here for you.’ She stood to one side for a few moments, allowing a couple to finish ordering.

‘Hey, what are you doing here? I thought today was a full-on craft-making day?’

‘It is … well, it was. Thought I’d come and say “Hi”, take a quick break and see how you are?’ Eve tried to keep her tone light, realising it would be hard for Rachel to share details of her private life whilst at work.

‘Ah, well, I’m okay. And, it’s been pretty busy here. All go.’ Rachel was on fake-cheery autopilot, and Eve suddenly felt a bit daft having turned up to save the day, when Rachel clearly wouldn’t be able to talk about what had been going on right now.

‘Umm, well, I’ll have a coffee please. Actually, can you make that a cappuccino,’ Eve said, adding quietly, ‘And if you manage to get a couple of minutes free, come across.’

‘Okay.’ Rachel managed a brief, keep-your-chin-up smile.

Eve headed for the table that was tucked away in the far corner; a place where it might be safe for the friends to talk for a minute or two, should chance allow it. ‘I’ll just be over here,’ she said breezily. She sat for a few moments, taking in the cosy ambience of the Pantry. With the fine weather, the barn door was flung open welcomingly. Sunlight shafted in, making the stone walls glow a warm, buttery shade of cream. Customers were chatting away whilst sipping their drinks, with ice creams and brownies, strawberry scones and an array of delightful puddings before them. Heavenly scents of cake, cocoa, butterscotch, rich coffee and fragrant tea filled the air.

Rachel bustled around for a while, and then just as Eve was nearing the bottom inch of coffee, she saw her friend wander over, her tea towel slung over her shoulder.

‘Are you okay, hun?’ Eve uttered in hushed tones. ‘After that text, I’ve been a bit worried about you.’

Rachel looked around her and then took up a seat. ‘Oh Eve,’ she whispered, ‘I’m feeling a bit calmer now, honest. I went to see Dad at the churchyard and, well, aired some things. But … I’m just so worried that Tom might be thinking of calling the whole thing off.’

‘What? The wedding?’ Eve’s mouth dropped open.

‘Yeah.’ Rachel looked gutted.

‘You’re kidding. You two are like … well, cheese and biscuits. Ant and Dec. Crumble and custard. You’re made to be together.’

‘Yeah, well, try telling that to Tom right now, will you.’

With that, an old lady a couple of tables across coughed, catching Rachel’s eye, then asking sweetly if she could have a refill of coffee.

‘Yes, of course, no problem. I’ll bring one across straight away.’ Rachel got up, duty calling again. ‘Maybe we can catch up later, yeah?’

Eve’s head was still spinning with the news, and she went back to sipping the last of her cappuccino, trying to maintain a semblance of normality.

The two friends were so busy pretending to the tearoom clients that everything was fine, that neither of them had spotted Tom walking in through the door. He was heading for the counter. Rachel had her back to him, busying herself at the coffee machine. Jill was at the till, blissfully unaware of any of the previous day’s dramas. Rachel hadn’t yet broached the latest living arrangements with her, wanting it all to be settled with Tom first.

‘Hello Tom, love. What can I get for you?’ greeted Jill.

Eve looked up, startled, and saw Rachel freeze instantly.

‘Ah, I’m actually here to see Rachel.’ He sounded rather awkward.

Rachel turned and Eve could see her face was a shade paler than usual. ‘It’s really busy here just now, Tom. I’m in the middle of serving,’ Rachel said brusquely.

‘It’s all right. I can wait.’ He moved to stand near the open doorway, looking out.

Rachel stomped about pouring coffee into a cup, her eyes fixed firmly downwards, intent on the task in hand. She headed off down the barn towards the elderly customer, without glancing further at him.

Tom stepped gently into her path as she walked back. ‘Look, I just came to say sorry … I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that.’