Page 35 of Christmas at Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

Tom coughed. ‘I’ll join you in just two ticks.’

At that, Rachel’s giggles spilled over, until she was in tears.

Jill gave a confused smile, ‘Crikey, I’m not sure what’s the matter with you pair, but it’s nice to see you smiling, anyhow.’

The Cheshire cat grins continued – it definitely wasn’t appropriate to enlighten her!

Rachel quickly nipped upstairs to check on Maisy, who was flat out, sound asleep in her bedroom. Then, she sat down on the sofa beside Tom to watch the late evening news. Jill was in the armchair near the roaring fire.

‘Right then,’ Jill announced with a yawn, after the headlines had finished, ‘I’ll get myself off to bed, can barely keep my eyes open. It’s been a long day.’

Rachel had a feeling she was trying to give them some space. ‘Okay, night, Mum. And, thanks again for all the special food tonight.’

‘Glad you all enjoyed it.’

‘Goodnight, Jill,’ added Tom.

After the door closed gently behind Jill, Tom gave Rachel a cheeky grin – obviously hopeful of carrying on where they’d left off an hour or so before.

‘Nope, don’t even think about it. I meant what I said about the wooden spoon,’ Rachel quipped. Despite their joking about, Rachel knew it would feel all wrong with Maisy and Mum about. What if either of them came downstairs for some reason? Rachel knew she wouldn’t be able to relax. ‘You’ll just have to put up with some old-fashioned kissing and cuddling.’

And, sure enough, just a few minutes and several hugs and kisses later, that was enough to get the full salute back in place again. All fully clothed, of course.

‘You could always come back to mine?’ suggested Tom, ever hopeful.

‘Not tonight, Tom. Sorry, I need to be here with my family.’

‘O-kay. I’ll have to save this for another time, then.’ He managed a frustrated smile.

‘Ha, I’ll look forward to it.’

‘And make sure you bring your wooden spoon with you.’

And they were chuckling with laughter again, before finishing with a very sexy goodnight kiss.

Firework night indeed.

15

‘Welcome! And here we have the splendiferous Toffee Apple Crumbles made by Jill to taste at our first-ever Pudding Club! How does that sound? Too much, Mum?’ Rachel was carrying a tray of crumbles, ready to warm through at the inaugural Pudding Club tonight. She was testing out how to begin presenting the evening.

‘Hmm, it’s a bit OTT, love. Just be yourself,’ said Jill. ‘I did tell you I took a call this morning for another booking, didn’t I?’

‘Yes, but I was dashing out at that point to meet Simon at the cattle shed. We’re getting ready to bring the cows in soon. So, who was it, anyone we know?’

‘Someone who’d spotted the flyer in the Deli. It was a man. Says he works at the care home for the elderly in Kirkton. Daniel, yes, that was his name. He sounded nice enough on the phone. Quite new to the area, likes to bake a bit, apparently, and looking for some tips.’

‘Well, that sounds good, and a mix of age ranges, and men and women will be great. So, after we had the mention in the newspaper and the two bookings that came from that … I think that’ll take us up to nine now, plus the two of us and, of course, Granny Ruth, who’s keen to be there.’

‘Hah, a baker’s dozen – oh no, that’d need to be thirteen,’ said Jill.

‘Well, if we count Maisy in, who I’ve had to promise can stay up for this one, we will be.’

‘Perfect.’ Jill clapped her hands together, ‘I’m sure we’ll get on just fine, and we’ll find our feet as we go.’

‘Well, these puddings look and smell gorgeous anyhow, so I’m sure that’ll sway things in our favour.’

‘Absolutely.’