Page 75 of Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

‘Good. Yes, she’s generally well-behaved. They all have their moments, mind.’

‘Yeah, well … you’ve done a good job with her, Rach.’ Jake looked serious and appeared a little emotional. Had he finally realised what he’d been missing out on?

‘Oh …’ Well that took the steam out of her anger. She’d fully intended on launching into a more vicious rant now that Maisy was out of earshot, but – ever the charmer – Jake had managed to placate her. ‘Well, thanks … I appreciate that. And look, if you have her again, for goodness sake ring me if you’re going to be late. It’s a real worry, you know.’

‘Yeah, I get that. I think we must have been out of signal down on the beach, but yeah … okay.’

‘So, you’re coming back tomorrow?’

‘Yep, but not till the afternoon. I’m looking at a motorbike for sale up in the Borders. Been after one for a while – looks a cracker, a Ducati, second-hand. So, it’ll be afternoon by the time I’m back. Let Maisy know that it’ll be later, won’t you?’

‘Yes, I will.’ Hah, so he had money to buy a bloody motorbike then, but not for child support. He obviously hadn’t changed that much.

‘See ya, then.’

‘Bye, Jake.’

Jake had come back the next afternoon as promised, and taken Maisy down to Kirkton to play in the park and have an ice cream. He was back at 5 p.m. prompt. He said he was heading back down south the next day, and swore to keep in touch more regularly, promising he’d phone Maisy once a week at least. Maisy seemed happy with that idea, and that seemed a good compromise for Rachel too.

She just hoped he’d live up to his promises, she’d heard them all before. Even if the intention was there, a sense of spontaneity and recklessness seemed to take over with Jake; he’d selfishly get caught up in whatever circumstances he’d stumbled into at the time. Maisy’s face was troubled as she said her goodbyes, bless her. They watched his grey van head off – with his new motorbike in the back – and Rachel’s heart felt so much for her little girl. Not having your dad around was a tough thing, whatever the circumstances.