Page 45 of Summer at Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

The conversation was light and easy for a while. They chatted about the farms, then Maisy, with Rachel briefly mentioning Jake’s arrival, without going into too much detail.

‘So, have you heard any more about the court hearing? Or thought about how you are going to approach it?’ She wanted Tom to know he could talk about what was going on with Caitlin and that he had her full support.

‘Well, I’ve had advice from my solicitor, and obviously we are going to contest. He’s got all the details on the original claim, as I’m using the same law firm. We can show how much was paid and how that came to be decided in the first place. But … if Caitlin’s claim’s agreed, then I will have to sell off some land, it’s the only thing for it. And if it doesn’t sell quickly, then I’ll have to get a loan.’

‘That sucks, Tom … it’s not as though she even helped work on the farm or added to its income in any way. It’s been years now, too.’

‘I know … but I need to be prepared for the worst. And even if it does go my way, the solicitor’s fees in themselves will be pretty stiff.’

‘It just seems all wrong.’

‘Yeah, I can really do without all the hassle and the financial implications right now. But it is what it is, and I’m just going to have to face it.’

‘I can come down with you on the day, Tom. Go to the court in Newcastle with you,’ Rachel offered, willing to share some of the load, to try and support him however she could.

‘No need. Honestly, thanks, but I’d rather just deal with this on my own. There’s no point dragging you into it all. And, the hearing is due the week before our wedding … you should be out with Eve and your mates drinking prosecco and getting ready for the celebrations.’

‘I wouldn’t mind going if you needed me, or if you just wanted someone to have a strong coffee with afterwards.’ She placed her hand over his. She wanted to get back to that feeling of being a team.

‘Thanks, but I’ve got this.’

‘Okay.’ He seemed determined to sit this one out alone.

‘On the glorious subject of our exes, how is good old Jake?’

‘All right. Turns up like a bad penny, doesn’t he?’ she added wryly. ‘At least he seems keen to spend some time with Maisy, which is nice for her. He even stayed and read her bedtime story.’

Tom raised an eyebrow at that, it being suddenly apparent that Jake had been at Primrose Farm for quite some time today. ‘Well,’ he conceded, ‘I suppose it’s good he’s finally making the effort.’

‘Yeah, that’s what I thought. And Maisy was thrilled to see him. You should have seen her face when she got off the school bus and realised who it was.’

‘Yes, I bet. Let’s hope he doesn’t let her down again though.’ Tom’s tone was cautious, protective.

‘Yeah, it’s always hit and miss with Jake, isn’t it? But hey, he’s here now and she seems happy enough. These mushrooms are delightful by the way.’ Rachel was keen to move off subject. ‘I think I need the “recipe à la Tom”.’ She smiled.

‘It may well be a guarded secret … or more that I can’t quite remember what I threw into the sauce!’

They laughed. Despite her misgivings, Rachel was beginning to feel a sense of her future. It could be good cooking here together, eating together. Having Maisy here at the farmhouse too – maybe they’d start to feel like a real family at last.

A third of the way through the creamy chicken pasta dish that Tom had cooked for the main course, Rachel found herself struggling. It seemed like a never-ending pile of tagliatelle, and the sauce was so rich.

‘Just nipping to the loo,’ she excused herself, and sat there on the throne for a couple of minutes, trying to let the food go down a bit. It felt as though it was still jammed somewhere up in her oesophagus, that her stomach was so full it had nowhere to go! She realised she couldn’t be too long or it’d seem odd, so she flushed, washed her hands, and headed back to the dining room, smiling.

She managed two more mouthfuls before she began to feel awfully sick.

‘Are you feeling all right, Rach?’ Tom was staring across the table at her.

She must have gone a bit green.

‘Yeah …’ she floundered. Oh crikey, there was no point carrying on the lie, or pretending she was ill. Wasn’t their relationship meant to be based on honesty from now on? There was no way she could stomach another mouthful. ‘I’m so sorry, Tom, I should have told you earlier … but you’d gone to so much trouble. And it was my fault forgetting …’

‘Forgetting what?’

‘That you were cooking tonight. I’ve already eaten back at home. I got caught up with Jake arriving so suddenly … and then Mum offered him tea and Maisy wanted him to stay …’ It was sounding all wrong, she knew.

‘You had tea with Jake? Wow. He’s really got his feet under the table already, hasn’t he?’ He sounded truly irked. ‘I thought you couldn’t stand the guy, Rachel?’

‘I can’t. Not personally. He’s been a right twat over the years. But it’s not just about me, is it … whether I like him or not, he’s still Maisy’s dad. And he’s come up to see her, to spend time with her, and I need to support that.’