Page 34 of Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

‘I think that sounds a lovely idea.’

‘You might just want to get that flour out of your hair first,’ Rachel added cheekily.

‘Oi you, I’ve been slaving away here!’ Jill teased back.

They made a little production line of the pretty cotton wraps, which had already been cut to size by Eve, and they carefully secured them with the green satin ribbon bows. Eve had also designed and created pretty tags for them, with a list of the ingredients on the back and a best before date for them to fill in.

‘There is one here I made as a spare,’ added Jill. ‘Before we let these loose on the public, do you think we ought to do a taste test? In case I’ve gone daft and confused the salt with sugar or something.’

‘Well, I’m up for taste testing. Absolutely!’ Rachel’s hangover had finally subsided, and a big spoonful of sticky toffee sounded just what she needed right now.

‘After all, the proof of the pudding …’ Jill started.

‘Is in the eating,’ Rachel finished for her, with a huge smile. ‘Fetch us a couple of spoons then.’

Jill dished a generous portion out into two separate bowls. Rachel grabbed her spoon and dived on in. Oh my. The sponge of the pudding was so moist and delicious, the sauce treacly-butterscotch warm, and when Jill added a blob of thick cream that melted over it, it was elevated to an even more heavenly zone.

‘Well …?’ her mum’s tone was anxious.

For a second or two, Rachel couldn’t speak. The explosion of deliciousness in her mouth taking over.

She finally found the words. ‘Oh my goodness. Honestly Mum, there’s no doubt that these will sell. And once people have taken them home and tasted them, I’m sure they’ll be coming back for more.’

‘Crikey, thanks love. And if I can help put a few more coffers in the farm pot, then I’ll feel very proud. You seem to have been pulling more than your weight out on the farm lately.’

‘Hah, I’m younger and stronger for the more physical farm work. I really appreciate all your help with Maisy here on the home front, and that frees me up to get on working with the animals.’ Rachel enjoyed the farm work even though it was demanding sometimes. The farm felt a part of her soul. It didn’t feel like a job as such, it was more a way of life. She couldn’t imagine working in an office or a shop, being cooped up inside all day.

‘Well, the pudding making is ideal for me. I mean, if it goes well.’ Jill still had a natural edge of caution about the new venture. ‘I can be here in the farmhouse baking and still be with Maisy when she’s not in school.’

‘I know, it’ll work out great.’

‘Well, let’s not run before we can walk, hey. We’ll see how this lot go down with the general public first.’ Ever the voice of reason her mum, but Rachel noted a lovely hint of excitement there in her tone too.

As they sat in the old Land Rover twenty minutes later, about to set off to their first ever retailer with the puddings safely stowed in a box on Jill’s lap, she looked across at Rachel and seemed to steady herself. ‘I think your dad would be proud of us.’

Rachel nodded, and bit her lip. Oh my, that had got the water works going. She couldn’t help herself and had to wipe away a fat tear that had plopped almost instantly down her cheek.

‘Yes,’ she replied turning to her mum with a brave smile, ‘I think he would.’

Sometimes her heart still felt so raw, even though she tried to hide that from her mum. This was one small step to getting the farm back on track – there was still a long road ahead. But yes, she acknowledged, they should be proud of themselves.

‘Oh Mum, if only he was still here. If only we could have …’ Rachel stopped herself. They couldn’t turn back time or wave some kind of a magic wand. What was done, was done.

‘I know, I know, love.’ Jill placed a hand gently on Rachel’s shoulder. ‘We have to just keep going forward.’

‘One step at a time,’ Rachel took up, trying to smile at her mum, still with tears glistening in her eyes. She gathered herself, took a slow breath, then added, ‘And today’s one big step, yeah?’

‘Yes, absolutely, so let’s go.’ Mum sniffed and wiped away a tear or two of her own, then patted the box as though it were treasure.

‘Come on then, let’s hit the road.’ Rachel put the truck into gear. ‘These puddings need new homes.’

Fifteen minutes later, it was wonderful to see their puddings sat proudly on the shelf in the Kirkton Deli. Brenda had put them straight out into the refrigerated counter. It was real! The Primrose Farm pudding business was up and running.

‘These look fabulous,’ said Brenda. ‘And the packaging is so pretty.’

‘We have Eve to thank for that,’ said Rachel.

‘Oh, well, they’re lovely. I don’t think we’ll have any trouble selling them. In fact, I might have to take one home for myself tonight.’