Page 49 of Summer at Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

‘She’s enjoying herself,’ Rachel commented.

‘Yeah.’ Jake grinned.

‘So, how’s life? Are you doing okay?’ Rachel asked, softening. She felt she might as well make some conversation, and Jake hadn’t been too forthcoming about his personal life at all yesterday.

‘Not bad, yeah …’ He paused, as though wondering whether to keep up the bravado. ‘Actually, I’ve had a couple of big barneys with Chelsea lately. It’s been a bit tricky.’ He looked glum.

So, Rachel’s theory was right then.

‘It’s just so hard with a kid in tow all the time …’ he moaned.

‘Hah, yeah.’ Rachel saw the irony in that line. ‘Tell me about it.’

‘Right, yeah, so I guess that isn’t news to you …’ He suddenly seemed a bit sheepish.

‘Look Jake, life’s not always easy, but sometimes the hard stuff’s worth working through. And, somehow, it’s getting through all the crappy stuff that makes it all worthwhile.’ She looked out across the sea, thinking of all the pain and hurt since her dad had died. Thinking of all the times she’d struggled as a young mum, but also all the joy that Maisy had brought to her life. ‘Maybe you should try and give this Kelvin kid a chance, and Chelsea … it must be strange for him having a new man in his mum’s life.’ Rachel was thinking of how Tom had come into Maisy’s life in a big way recently, and how her fiancé was always so kind and patient with her. ‘Parenting isn’t easy,’ she continued, ‘but it can be so rewarding.’ She looked down the beach to see her, their, little Maisy, who was heading back with her bucket in one hand, clutching a big purple mussel shell in the other to show them both.

‘Oh, yes, that’s a beauty of a shell, Maisy,’ she called out.

‘It is, isn’t it,’ Maisy beamed.

Before she reached them, Jake looked across at Rachel. ‘You’ve done a great job with Maisy, Rach. Anyone can see that.’ He nodded, looking thoughtful.

‘Thank you.’

And Maisy was back finishing her castle, with Jake helping to put the last few ‘gems’ on top of each turret.

Rachel realised that this was the first open and honest conversation that she and Jake had had in years. However tricky he was finding it with Chelsea and young Kelvin, it had certainly given him a little more patience with Maisy and improved his parenting skills. Perhaps the smart-alec and wanderlusting lad was finally beginning to grow up.

25

Fish and chips in cardboard trays with lashings of salt and vinegar. Those little crispy bits of batter, crunchy then melting on the tongue, the soft white fish beneath, eaten with little wooden forks. The taste of summer at the seaside.

The three of them were sitting on the inner harbour wall. Rachel was amazed that she was actually enjoying her trip out with Jake, and seeing Maisy’s smiling face right now made it all the more worthwhile. Perhaps she was able to move on, forgive Jake his wayward past, and have a future that meant Maisy could be happy and loved by both parents. She wasn’t holding out too much hope that he’d be around very regularly in this future, but perhaps it could work okay for the three of them.

‘Right then, would you like to go and see Auntie Eve at the craft fair? It’s just in the village hall here,’ she added for Jake’s benefit.

‘Okay, yeah, no worries.’

‘Yes! Is Amelia there too?’ Maisy asked.

‘I’m not sure, petal. I think she was staying with her daddy today, as Eve is busy with all her crafts for sale.’

The hall was bustling, with tourists and locals browsing the various displays. There were so many talented stallholders selling a range of toys, woodwork, candles, photography and art. Rachel clocked the stand at the end with the big seascapes on canvas, and wondered if that was ‘the guy’. As they neared, she saw a sign that read ‘Aiden Cole – freelance artist. The coast is my canvas.’ Ah yes, that must be him.

Behind his stand were several paintings, and a tall blond chap was talking to some prospective buyers about the quality of light and the fantastic skies here in Northumberland. Rachel had to admit that he was quite handsome, though a little too arty-farty looking for her taste. He was sporting a dashing neckerchief in blues and greys, a pale blue linen shirt, beige shorts, and there were Crocs on his feet. It was a look that was a million miles away from Eve’s husband, Ben, in his practical navy work overalls or off-duty jeans and T-shirt. The artist’s paintings looked rather stormy and moody, and she couldn’t help but wonder if, despite his charming smile with his customers, his temperament might reflect that.

Looking around the hall, she spotted her friend’s stall in the opposite direction and zigzagged her way across the venue, holding Maisy’s hand and dodging several slow-moving browsers, and a couple of spaniels on leads.

‘Hey, Eve! How’s it going?’ She finally reached her best friend.

‘Hi Rach, thanks so much for dropping in. Good so far. I’ve sold quite a bit already, mostly my toys – they’re proving popular with the families on holiday. And some cards, and the wooden coasters: the “Prosecco time!” and “Gin O’Clock” seem to be doing especially well. There are lots of people coming through, which is great.’

‘Brilliant, and are you doing okay?’ Rachel didn’t want to mention Aiden out loud, but she knew it couldn’t be easy for Eve.

‘Yep, all fine.’ But she sounded distracted, glancing across at Aiden at that point.

Rachel saw her friend’s cheeks flush.