Page 70 of Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

‘Well, I hope I can do it justice,’ Jill replied.

‘Aye, I’m sure you will, bonny lass.’

Just then, two ramblers arrived. They were a middle-aged couple, who told Jill they’d taken an early-morning walk in the Cheviots and were on their way back down to Kirkton and were delighted to stumble upon the Pudding Pantry.

They ordered two teas, a bacon roll and a slice of Rachel’s homemade carrot cake. The couple took up their seats and Rachel overheard them saying how pretty the place looked. She felt a warm sense of achievement.

As she was making the pot of tea, Rachel couldn’t help but wonder how Maisy and Jake were getting on around the farm. She hadn’t seen them since just past eleven o’clock and it was now almost twelve. They weren’t far away, Rachel reassured herself, and even though she was young, Maisy knew the farm and its ‘rules’ well. It was more her emotional wellbeing that Rachel was concerned for. This was a huge thing in Maisy’s life, meeting her dad properly for the first time, and Rachel wanted it to go positively for her.

Rachel pulled herself back to the here and now, and carried over the tea, cake and bacon roll that Jill had made to the ramblers.

‘What a gorgeous place you have here,’ the woman said. ‘We didn’t know it existed. We’ve been here for several holidays over the years.’

‘Well, today’s our official opening day, actually.’

‘Oh wow, lucky for us then. You’ve done a wonderful job. It’s so quaint here. And the food looks delicious. Thank you.’

‘You’re welcome, you enjoy tucking in!’

Frank headed off soon after, with a wave and a smile, saying he’d be back soon and that he’d be sure to tell all his friends about them. After finishing her cake, one of the ramblers got up and started to browse Eve’s crafts on the dresser. She picked up several of the farmyard-themed soft toys, settling on the sheep, and bringing it across to the counter.

‘I’ll take this one, thanks.’

‘That’s great, thank you. My friend makes them locally,’ commented Rachel proudly.

‘Oh really, it’s such a cute toy. She’s so talented, and I’m sure my granddaughter will love him.’

Rachel felt thrilled for her friend and couldn’t wait to tell her.

Much to Rachel’s delight, there followed a small flurry of customers who arrived around noon for some lunch – two ladies from the village, a family on holiday with a toddler and small baby in tow, and Jim the taxi driver called in for a takeaway coffee and a flapjack as he was passing.

Not long afterwards, Maisy’s chatty voice announced her and Jake’s arrival back at the barn, much to Rachel’s relief. Maisy looked quite happy and was bossing her dad around telling him which table to sit at, which made Rachel smile.

‘So guys, how was the farm?’

‘Good, Mummy. Petie came to see us. I gave him some grass and a sheep nut.’

‘Yeah … it was good.’ Jake didn’t sound too enthusiastic.

‘So, are you hungry? What can I get for you?’

‘Ooh, can I have one of Grandma’s cupcakes?’

‘Well, you can if you eat up something healthy first. What do you want, some soup, a sandwich?’

‘Umm, a cheese sandwich. Is Jake having lunch too?’ She seemed happier with that name than Daddy, and Jake didn’t seem to mind.

‘Yes, of course he can. What would you like?’

He scanned the menu and asked for a coffee and a bacon roll.

‘That’s fine. I’ll get that sorted then.’

Rachel was about to head back to the kitchen area as Jake shouted across, ‘Hey, it’s looking good in here, Rach. Very swish. Must have cost a few quid to get all this done. You must be doing all right here.’

The cheeky git. He must have heard about her dad, what they’d all been through. She had to bite her tongue, what with Maisy and the other customers about. But really, if only he knew the truth.

‘Yeah, reckon you must have had a little windfall,’ he continued, sitting back in his chair.