Page 7 of Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

Chapter 4

PET LAMB PATROL

Maisy was already up when Rachel got back to the farmhouse. She and Jill were busy setting out the breakfast things at the large pine kitchen table. Maisy was struggling, carrying two bulky cereal boxes, and dropped them down quickly on the table as her mum appeared.

‘Mumm-eee! How’s Pete?’

‘He’s good, Maisy. He had a great night and is feeding well.’

‘Ooh, can I go feed him?’

‘After school, yes. You’ve got to get ready and have your own breakfast now.’

‘Oh, not fair.’

‘He’s already had his breakfast today, anyhow,’ Rachel added.

‘Cup of tea, love?’ Jill asked, switching the kettle back on, already knowing the answer.

‘Yes, please, I’m desperate for another brew.’

‘Has everything been all right? I thought I heard a vehicle in the early hours?’ Her mum had a frown of concern across her brow.

‘Yeah, I had to call out Tom. One of the Texels was in difficulty.’

‘Oh, did you manage okay?’ As a farmer’s wife, Jill was well aware of the problems you could experience with lambing. She had often helped out herself in the past, but lately shared her time between the lighter farming duties and helping to look after Maisy.

‘The lamb was stuck. It had been going for too long and I was getting a bit worried, so I called Tom in. He did a great job. The ewe and lamb were both fine in the end. It was just a really big lamb.’

‘Ah, well I’m glad everything was okay with the little chap. All’s well that ends well.’

‘Yes, and thank heavens for Tom,’ added Rachel. ‘The poor guy, I think I woke him up. Been trying to catch a few hours’ sleep himself.’

‘Oh, he’s a lovely lad. I’m not sure what we’d do without him next door. He’s been a godsend.’

Lad. It made Rachel smile – he was well into his thirties. Her mum made him sound like he was thirteen. But yes, he had been a great friend to the family and a brilliant support, especially since they’d lost Dad.

‘Can I see Tom, Mummy?’ Maisy piped up, now sat at the table and digging a spoon into a bowl of Rice Krispies.

‘Well, not right now.’ Rachel sat down next to her daughter, cradling her mug of tea. ‘He’s probably either back in bed, or in his own lambing shed. He’s a bit busy just now, Maisy. We’ll give it a week or so, then you can go across and say hello when lambing is over.’

‘Ah, lambing is sooo boring.’

‘What do you mean? You love Pete and the other lambs?’

‘Yeah, but all of the grown-ups are too busy.’

‘Yes, that’s ’cos it’s so important. You’ll just have to be patient, petal. It’s our job.’ And, it’s what pays the bills, Rachel added mentally.

‘Maybe we can ask him across for Sunday dinner this weekend as a thank you?’ chipped in Jill. ‘I’m sure he’d be glad of that. Even if it’s just for an hour or so if he’s got a lot on.’

‘That’s a nice idea. I’ll mention it if we cross paths in the next couple of days,’ said Rachel.

Maisy was nodding animatedly, happy with that idea.

Time was slipping on and the school minibus would be arriving at the end of the farm track at 8:20 a.m. sharp. ‘Right Maisy, time to finish your cereal and go up and brush your teeth. Then it’s shoes on, rucksack at the ready, and I’ll walk you to the bus.’

‘I’ll go if you like, Rachel,’ Jill offered. ‘You might want to get off to bed.’