Page 45 of Christmas at Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

‘Sorry.’

‘And, there’s only a new bloody girlfriend on the scene too.’

‘Really? Is she with him?’

‘Yes, and he hadn’t even thought to mention her, or the fact that she was coming.’

‘Oh gosh, typical Jake. So, what was she like?’

‘She seemed okay, I suppose,’ Rachel conceded. ‘A bit of a townie. Very glam, just his type, I’d imagine.’

‘You were glam once.’

‘Hah, thanks, I like the once.’

‘Well, we’ve all changed.’

‘It’s farming life; doesn’t merit manicured nails and false lashes really, does it?’

‘Nah, not really. Listen, do you wanna come around? Have a glass of something to take the pain away?’

‘I have tried baking the pain away. I have just-baked brownies cooling on the side.’

‘Your dark chocolate ones?’

‘Yep.’

‘Well, that’s it then, you must come around. There’s no question about it. I’ve got two of those mini prosecco bottles in the fridge. They’re my emergency rations. Do you fancy one?’

‘Well, I think this might class as a bit of an emergency.’ Rachel was very tempted. But, should she use the time to call over and see Tom? They’d left things on a bit of a sour note when she’d had to cancel their lunch trip. She could ask where he’d been the other night too. But all she really wanted right now was a friendly ear, and someone who understood the background to her relationship with Jake, and why she was feeling so tense today.

‘Come on, get yourself over here.’

‘Okay, I’m on my way.’

Rachel called in to let Jill know that she was popping over to see Eve and that she’d be an hour or so. She’d still be back in plenty of time to help out at the Pantry if need be and for Maisy’s arrival home – Jake had said it would be around six o’clock.

‘That’s a great idea,’ said Jill, ‘And yes, I’m fine here. You go and see Eve. It’s no bother at all. Better than two of us strumming our fingers on the counter waiting for the big rush.’

Ten minutes later, the old friends were sitting on stools in Eve’s kitchen. Eve popped open the mini bottles, a welcome sound, and poured the golden bubbly into flutes.

‘Oh, I so need this today.’

‘And I need those.’ Eve pointed to the plate of chocolate brownies that Rachel had brought with her.

‘It’s just been one of those days. And then, when Miss Glamour Puss turned up, out of the blue …’

‘Yeah, I bet that was a moment. Hey, did you know that stressed is desserts spelt backwards?’

‘Really?’ Rachel sat thinking about it, and it was. ‘Oh yes, of course!’

‘That makes absolute sense, doesn’t it?’ added Eve. ‘When stressed, what you need is dessert, it’s simple.’

‘Hah, yes,’ she said, reaching for a brownie and taking a big chocolatey bite. ‘I know I should be happy that Jake’s made the effort to come up and see Maisy, but I can’t help but worry about her. It always mixes Maisy up when she sees him again. And then there’s this new woman. If it doesn’t work out, it’s someone Maisy’s got to know and maybe like, for nothing. And then, what if it really does work out between them? What if she does stick around? Will they want to see more of Maisy? Make her part of the family there, maybe even try for custody? Oh yes, I didn’t mention that part, she has a little boy already so she’s used to kids.’ It all came pouring out, Rachel’s thoughts spiralling dizzyingly.

‘Hey, one step at a time, Rach. Slow down. Just breathe. It’ll be fine, I’m sure.’

‘Oh, Eve, but what if it really came to that? I couldn’t bear it. Jake might want me to send her down there for weekends or something, like pass the parcel.’