Page 4 of Summer at Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

‘And, that’s not the only secret we have up our sleeves,’ Eve said conspiratorially.

‘Oh, you can’t leave it at that. Come on, spill.’ Rachel hated being left in the dark. Much of the weekend planning had been left to Eve and the other hens. What had they got in mind?

‘Not telling …’ Eve patted the side of her nose. ‘You’ll just have to wait and see.’

It didn’t seem as if Rachel was going to find out just yet, so she turned on the engine, turned up the radio, and concentrated on the road ahead. Rachel and Jill smiled broadly as ‘Islands in the Stream’ came on, one of Dad’s old favourites, and they all sang along at the tops of their voices.

3

‘Are we nearly there yet?’ chimed Jill, just like little Maisy might say.

‘Well, it says there’s only about a mile to go,’ reported Eve, checking the GPS on her phone.

They’d passed the quaint coastal town of Oban and were winding their way through narrow country lanes. The woods became denser around them, a little gloomy in fact. Rachel really hoped they weren’t going to be stuck out in the depths of nowhere like something out of Stephen King’s Misery. Some hen do that’d be!

But, soon enough, the thick pine trees gave way to open countryside again, and the road became dappled with sunlight, the bracken at each side giving the landscape a moorland feel. A red squirrel dashed across the road in front of them before leaping up into an old Scots pine.

‘Ah, look, did you see that? What a cutie,’ Rachel exclaimed. She loved spotting wildlife.

And then, as they rounded a corner, they saw a lake shimmering silver ahead, and a wooden lodge – set back from its shoreline – came into view. Wow, what a stunning setting. Rachel’s fears were swiftly allayed as she pulled up beside the cabin.

‘Oh, what a pretty spot!’ called out Eve. ‘Even if we are miles from humanity.’

The Scottish town of Oban with its small shops, bars and restaurants was actually only five miles away, but out here it felt as if it could be a hundred miles distant. And with all the ups and downs of recent times – losing her precious father, working like a trojan at the family farm, and the pressures of single motherhood – Rachel reflected that this felt like the perfect tonic right now. And with her best friends, gorgeous mum Jill, a heap of brownies, prosecco and a whole load of wedding plans in tow, what could be better?

‘It’s beautiful,’ added Jill with a beaming smile.

‘Come on,’ Rachel leapt out of the truck. ‘Let’s go and explore.’

They climbed the wooden steps up to the balcony. Walking around the lodge, they came to the front deck that overlooked the lake. And yes, there was the fancy hot tub they had seen in the pictures online.

‘Wow, what a place for a prosecco moment!’ Eve pointed at the Jacuzzi with a wide grin. ‘Bubbles in the bubbles.’

‘Oh yes.’

‘Sounds good to me.’

‘A pool with a view.’

And what a view.

It was a warm May day, the sky a deep azure with just the odd puff of cloud. The lake was small yet so pretty, reflecting the blue of the sky. There was a cottage nestled on the far hillside, but no other buildings near to their lodge. Nothing to disturb the view, or the noise of birdsong around them. A grey and white heron stood on one leg, concentrating on the waters beneath him. A pair of mallard ducks paddled happily, whilst a coot busied herself at the reeds on the water’s edge with three little ones swimming beside her. Rachel wondered instinctively about little Maisy and felt a stab of maternal panic. But it would all be fine, she reminded herself. Maisy was settled at school, and she’d enjoy the sleepover at Eve’s house with Amelia tonight, where Ben would be spoiling them with pizza and ice cream. It was time to switch off, Rachel realised.

They wandered back, found the key under the flower pot as instructed, and opened the door on to a gorgeous open-plan living area – all wooden beams, a cosy log fire, a large dining table and chairs, and a characterful kitchen. Perfect. Exploring the cabin with big grins on their faces, they found the four bedrooms: two doubles that overlooked the lake, a twin and a single.

‘You take a double room, Mum. Eve and I will have the other, Kirsty and Hannah can share the twin, and we’ll save the single for Charlotte.’

‘Great. And we get the lake views.’ Jill made a thumbs-up sign.

‘Absolutely.’

‘Me and Rach will be up chatting all night anyhow, knowing us pair,’ said Eve.

‘Right, well let’s go and unload all of Eve’s twenty bags from the boot then, and get our one case each Mum,’ Rachel added wryly.

‘Well, I don’t know about you lot,’ added Jill, ‘but I’m ready for a cuppa. Let’s get unloaded and I’ll get the kettle on.’

‘A cuppa, really? This is a hen do, ladies. Let’s get the prosecco opened!’ Eve grinned.