Page 33 of Christmas at Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

‘A step up from the basic apple crumble, I must say.’ Tom had a wicked grin on his face as he spoke, looking right at Rachel. ‘I think I’m going to have to watch my step.’

Eve, who got the joke straight away, started giggling.

‘What’s funny?’ asked Maisy innocently.

‘Ah, nothing, it’s just delicious isn’t it!’ Rachel tried to divert her daughter, who didn’t miss a trick.

‘Crumble is always delicious,’ said Tom with a wide smile.

‘There’s a pot of tea made and ready on the table with mugs for all, so help yourselves,’ said Jill. ‘Oh, I’ll pour yours out for you, Ruth. No need to move.’

They all chatted away, the girls still giddy about the magic shooting lights in the night sky. Eve told them all about her latest Christmas themed craft-making, and the craft fayre at Claverham Castle coming up in late November, where she was planning to host a stall.

‘Ooh, that sounds good. Do you know, that castle is virtually on our doorstep, and I’ve never been in?’ said Rachel.

‘It’s gorgeous there and so full of character. I’ve heard their Christmas Craft Fayre is really popular, so I thought I’d put my name down. After all, we had a cracking day at the Kirkton Country Show back in the summer, didn’t we?’

‘Yeah, that was such a busy day. Well, if you find out a bit more, maybe it’ll be something we can do too. We could have a pudding stall – Christmas puddings? What do you think, Mum?’ Rachel was never one to miss an opportunity.

‘It’s certainly something to look into,’ Jill agreed.

It was soon time for Eve and her family to leave. It was a school night after all, and it was past Maisy’s bedtime too. They said their goodbyes and thanks, then Jill offered to take Maisy up and get her ready for bed. Rachel and Tom cleared the kitchen together, while Granny Ruth took a little nap in her seat by the Aga; her cough had still been rattling her, bless her.

Rachel then went upstairs to tuck Maisy in. After a short story time, perched on the edge of her daughter’s bed, Rachel planted a tender kiss on her daughter’s forehead.

‘Sleep tight, petal.’

‘Night, night, Mummy. I loved the sparkly fireworks. Did you see I drew a unicorn in the sky with one?’

‘Aw, I didn’t spot that one, but it sounds lovely. They are a bit magical, aren’t they?’

‘Super-duper magical.’

It was lights-out time in the lilac-painted unicorn-themed bedroom. Rachel hoped her little girl would be able to settle after such an exciting night. As she slowly closed the bedroom door, she saw Maisy’s eyelids beginning to droop already – maybe her fears were unfounded.

‘Right then, shall I get you home, Ruth?’ Jill offered, as Rachel came back down to the kitchen hub.

Ruth no longer drove, and relied on them for lifts to and from her little cottage on the far side of Kirkton.

‘Yes please, pet. That’ll be grand.’ She had another coughing bout. ‘Ooh, goodness.’ She held a hand to her chest for a second. ‘Well then, I think I’m ready for an early night.’

‘You need to get that cough checked out, Ruth,’ Jill warned, ‘Get yourself an appointment booked with the doctor. It’s been hanging around for a while now.’

‘I can take you down to the surgery, Granny,’ offered Rachel.

‘I’ll be fine, don’t you worry about me, lass. They can’t do anything much about a cough. They don’t like dishing out antibiotics like they used to. It’ll run its course soon enough.’

‘Well, I suppose. But don’t let it get any worse. Or I’ll be booking the appointment for you myself,’ added Jill. It was said in a friendly manner, her daughter-in-law was just concerned, after all.

‘Aye, pet.’ Ruth raised herself to stand, seeming a little out of breath, and gathered her woollen overcoat. ‘Bye, Rachel. Bye, Tom. It’s been a grand night. So lovely to see the little ones faces all lit up too.’

‘Yes, it was.’ Tom smiled warmly.

‘See you soon, Granny. Take care.’ Rachel gave her a warm hug.

‘You too, pet.’

Rachel could see that her Granny was getting older, and a bit frailer, and that touched her heart.