Page 50 of Summer at Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

Maisy and Jake had wandered along to the next stall by now, where Maisy was holding up a charm bracelet and chattering away.

‘Oh Eve, for goodness’ sake be careful,’ Rachel whispered. ‘Just keep your distance and don’t get wrapped up in something you’ll regret.’

‘I’m fine. I’ve got this.’ Eve’s tone was full of bravado.

It wasn’t the place to take the conversation further, but Rachel couldn’t shift her sense of unease. ‘Anyhow, what about you?’ Eve continued. ‘How’s today been with Dodgy Daddy?’

‘Hah, yes, all right actually.’

‘Been behaving himself, has he?’

‘Yeah, surprisingly.’

‘That’s good. Maisy looks happy anyhow.’

They both looked up at Jake and Maisy, who were wandering back over to them holding hands.

‘Well best of luck, hun.’ And Rachel meant in more ways than sales. ‘We’ll take a little look about and then I need to go and pick up my wedding chocolates, and get this little one home.’

‘Oh yes, you were collecting your favours, weren’t you. I bet Emma’s done a smashing job.’

‘She really has. They looked gorgeous when I called in earlier.’

‘Ooh, exciting times, Rach.’ Eve smiled warmly.

Exciting and worrying, Rachel mused. She hadn’t had the chance to share all the latest woes in her complicated pre-wedding life with her best friend.

‘Aw, look, Mummy, these are so sweet.’ Maisy was holding up a felt finger puppet sheep. ‘I could pretend it was Petie and he could play with the Christmas mouse and hedgehog ones I have at home.’

The tag read £4.50, which was reasonable, but after buying the extra chocolates and insisting on paying half for the fish and chips, Rachel’s funds were all out for today.

‘Go on then, I’ll get it,’ Jake offered, peering over Maisy’s shoulder. ‘Are you sure that one’s your favourite?’

‘Yes, he’s called Petie, and I love him already.’

‘Ah, you spoil her,’ Rachel said, but with a smile.

‘And why not, we don’t get to spend much time together, do we, princess?’ He ruffled her blonde hair. ‘It’ll be a little something to remember today by. You don’t want a puffin or a seal one, do you? For the seaside?’

‘Nope.’

‘All righty.’ Jake took a five-pound note out of his pocket and paid.

Maisy was already popping the sheep on her finger and baaing. Luckily her antics were drawing a few other children to the stall, who tried on some of the other puppets, wiggling fingers and giggling, and two more sales swiftly followed.

‘Hah, I need you to stay a bit longer, Maisy,’ Eve grinned. ‘You’re a sales magnet.’

Rachel had a feeling she should stay on too, as chaperone, whisking Eve swiftly away at the end of the event. But it was time to move on and get back to the farm.

She gave her friend a farewell hug, whispering ‘best of luck’. After a quick whizz around the stalls, they were soon heading for the exit; Rachel turning at the last to see artist Aiden making a beeline for Eve’s stand. Oh crikey. But, she told herself, Eve was a big girl now. And she usually had a sensible head on her shoulders. It just seemed to have been turned of late.

With the wedding chocolates collected and safely stowed in the back of the Land Rover, the three of them were soon weaving their way home along country lanes. Maisy was snoozing, with her head tucked against Jake’s side, his arm around her. Despite her concerns for Eve, it had been a good day.

Yet, as they edged closer to Kirkton, the three of them singing along to George Ezra’s ‘Shotgun’ at the tops of their voices, Rachel saw a familiar truck coming around the bend. Tom.

Rachel paused to wind the window down to say hello, but her fiancé had a face on him like thunder. The three of them singing in unison and playing happy families wasn’t exactly a welcome sight, she supposed.

‘All right? Had a good day?’ Tom was trying his best to be polite.