Page 48 of Summer at Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

Emma soon appeared at her side. ‘So, how’s it all going? Not long till the big day now. I bet you can’t wait.’

‘No, I know. It’s all pretty much organised, but it just seems a bit surreal still.’ She tried to hide any fears she was having on the fiancé front.

‘Hah, yes, I remember that feeling well. Me and Max, my other half, we got married in September last year. It was a wonderful day. I was really nervous on the run-up to it, though. It wasn’t a big do or anything, but I just wanted it to be right, you know.’

Rachel nodded, understanding that all too well. ‘Yes, that’s exactly how I feel.’

‘We held it at the hotel at the top of the road, with just a few friends and family. We were lucky with the weather and it was just a gorgeous day. Goes by in a flash, mind, so try and fix it in your mind as it happens, and get people to take lots of photos and some videos too.’

‘Yes, we’ve got a photographer organised. A friend in the village who does some amateur work. I’ve seen his stuff and he’s good.’ Geoff, from the Kirkton photography club, had offered to help out for a small fee.

‘Well, best of luck with everything. So, I take it you’re here to collect your favours. They’re all made up and ready. I’ve done a mixed-duo selection as you asked, so there’s a mix of white, plain and dark chocolates with Irish cream, brandy, whisky, raspberry gin and Alnwick rum.’

‘Oh goodness, they sound delicious. Hah, I’m going to have to keep myself away from them or they’ll all be gone before the big day.’

‘I have given you a couple of spares, just in case.’ Emma gave a wink. ‘They’re all ready and boxed up out in the back kitchen for you.’

‘Great, and I’d like to buy a few gifts while I’m here too.’ Rachel chose her mum a bag of chocolate caramels and Granny some rose and violet creams, all packaged in pretty gift bags. For Eve, she chose a mixed box of truffles, tied with a gold satin ribbon.

A minute or two later Emma led her to the back kitchen where, she explained, all the crafting took place. It was like a cocoa-inspired Aladdin’s cave, with chocolates of all shapes, sizes and colours setting on the side, and some just-baked brownies were cooling alongside some golden-baked chocolate croissants.

‘So, here we are.’ Emma lifted the lid on a cardboard box and there they were: 150 ivory mini boxes of chocolates all tied with a tiny satin bow in the exact same shade of pale purple-blue as the bridesmaids’ dresses.

‘Wow.’ They were so pretty, Rachel felt lost for words. And the significance hit her: this was really it, in a few weeks’ time, guests would be arriving at Kirkton Church, the tipi would be up and in place at Primrose Farm complete with decorations and flowers, and these favours set out by each place, ready to be enjoyed and savoured. And, ta-dah, she would be Mrs Watson. It was crazy, lovely, exciting, a bit scary … Could it really all come off? Life had thrown her so many lemons, she was almost always waiting for the ‘but’ … And, with her and Tom’s scuppered dinner party yesterday, well … it could be a bloody big ‘but’.

‘They look just wonderful, thank you.’

They shared a brief hug; the chocolates were stunning, and Emma felt like a friend. And, from the very reasonable price the chocolatier quoted her at the till, she was certain she’d given her a discount on the original quote.

‘Right well, do you have a car nearby?’ Emma asked. ‘I can help you carry them out.’

‘Actually, I’m staying in the village a bit longer yet. My daughter’s here and we’re going to check out the craft fair that’s on today, so can I pop back and collect them a bit later, maybe in an hour or so?’

‘Absolutely, no problem.’

‘In fact, I might stop here for a quick coffee first. She’s with her dad, my ex,’ Rachel explained. ‘I need to give them a bit of time together, he doesn’t get up to see her often. I said I’d meet them at twelve.’

‘Yeah, no worries, the courtyard out the back is lovely, if you like being outside.’

‘Sounds perfect.’ Rachel really was an outside kind of girl.

‘So, what kind of coffee?’

‘Oh, an Americano with hot milk please, and … I might just have to have some of that just-baked brownie I spotted in the kitchen.’ Rachel grinned. ‘Who needs a pre-wedding diet, right?’

‘I’d say that’s the perfect accompaniment. Well, I’d better crack on. There might be more customers waiting. I’ll bring it out to you in a short while, so go ahead and take a seat.’

Rachel enjoyed twenty minutes of peace, watching a blackbird perched happily on the wall, whilst eating gooey-rich chocolate brownie washed down with the best of coffees. It was so nice to be on the other side of the counter for once, to be the guest not the server. She hoped her customers felt like this, made welcome with gorgeous treats and a peaceful place to sit and chill or chat.

It was soon time to meet up with the others. Rachel went to settle up for the coffee but Emma wouldn’t hear of it. ‘On the house, for the bride-to-be. I’ll catch you again when you pick up the chocolates. But you make sure to have the best of days at your wedding. Enjoy every moment of your special day.’

Rachel felt wrapped in a warm chocolatey hug at that point. She headed out of the cosy little shop with a big smile.

Glancing down the street, she could see that the two of them weren’t back at the harbour yet, so Rachel went to see if they were still on the beach. Maisy loved the sea and sand; Jake might be having trouble dragging her away. And yes, as she came out of the track through the dunes, there they were finishing off a big sandcastle that had four turrets with walls between each – a real work of art.

‘I’m just going to fetch shells to decorate the castle bits, Mummy,’ Maisy chattered away, before heading off with her new plastic bucket for her booty, scouring for the prettiest shells and any pieces of colourful sea glass.

Rachel sat down on the sand beside Jake, both of them watching their daughter for a few moments.