Page 34 of Christmas at Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

The Land Rover was soon heading off, and with Maisy tucked up in bed for the night, it was the first time Rachel and Tom had been on their own all evening – for days, in fact.

‘That went off well. Thanks for all your help with the fireworks.’ Rachel finished washing up the last mug and moved from the sink to give Tom a ‘thank you’ kiss on the cheek.

‘Hmm,’ he murmured appreciatively as he shifted his lips to meet hers, his tongue cheekily parting her lips.

That sparked something and, within seconds, Rachel had pressed Tom, still with tea towel in hand, up against the wall next to the Aga as the kiss developed. Soon it was making her tingle all over. He tasted of apples and crumble and there was a whiff of bonfire smoke on his clothes. It was a sexy combination.

It was already warm there by the stove, and things were definitely hotting up. It was amazing how a kiss could reach your fingers and toes … and all kinds of other places.

‘Now then,’ Tom pulled his lips away for a second, ‘if you keep on doing this to me there may well be more fireworks about to set off.’ He grinned mischievously.

Rachel couldn’t help but notice the firm heat that was hardening against her thigh. She pulled back a little, smiling. ‘Ah, well now, we can’t do anything about that this evening. Maisy’s upstairs and Mum’s due back any time. So, you can think again, matey.’ She laughed, glancing down at the raised crotch area of his jeans.

‘She’s not back yet, though …’ He quirked an eyebrow.

Rachel laughed again and hit him playfully with the tea towel. ‘Nope, no way! Can you imagine her walking in on us all coupled up in front of the Aga – literally?’ Memories of their fireside tryst just a couple of weeks ago were making her nerve endings tingle even more, despite her efforts to be restrained.

‘Now, don’t make me think about things like that, when I’m meant to be getting rid of this …’ They both looked down – there was no sign of anything subsiding just yet. They couldn’t help but laugh.

‘I’ll be batting it down with a wooden spoon in a minute,’ Rachel jested.

‘Ouch! Mind you, even that sounds interesting.’

‘Weirdo!’

‘Now just shush and stop making me think of all these scenarios, when I can’t do anything about it.’

With that, there was the telltale crunch of gravel out in the yard, and the bright flash of headlights. Jill was back.

‘Oh shite, now what do I do?’ Tom pulled a panicked face. How were you meant to greet your girlfriend’s mother with a hard-on in full salute?

Rachel was giggling away as she moved back to the sink and pretended to still be washing up as Jill came in through the kitchen door with a cheery ‘hello’.

‘Hi,’ Tom managed in a slightly higher tone than usual, grabbing the tea towel from the side and strategically positioning it.

‘Oh, hi Mum.’ There was a smirk over Rachel’s face.

Jill, who hadn’t seemed to notice the kitchen kerfuffle, merely said, ‘Well, that’s Granny Ruth back safe and sound. I’m a bit worried about her cough, mind. She needs to look after herself.’

‘Yes, let’s hope she gets better soon.’

‘Thanks so much for all your help this evening, Tom.’ Jill turned to look at him. ‘It was an exciting night, wasn’t it?’

‘Very exciting.’ His voice was slightly strained.

‘Yep, we’re just finishing the washing-up.’ Rachel’s eyes were glinting with laughter as she caught Tom’s gaze.

‘Oh thanks, love, but you needn’t have done all that. I could have helped.’

‘It’s fine, we soon cracked on with it, didn’t we, Tom. Lovely crumble, by the way,’ Rachel added naughtily, having to bite her own lip, to keep the giggles in.

‘Thanks, yes, that turned out well. I think it’ll go down well at the Pudding Club,’ said Jill.

‘It certainly will,’ Tom managed, his voice now an octave lower than usual.

‘Well then, if we’re all done here, we may as well go through and relax in the sitting room?’ Jill suggested.

‘Oh, yes,’ said Rachel chirpily.