Page 54 of Christmas at Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

Rachel pulled out the cutest felt black-and-white cow, which had the most gorgeous Christmas pudding jumper on. ‘Ah, I adore him. And that jumper! Do you think you could make me a big one. Wouldn’t that be ace here at the Pantry in the run up to Christmas – a real Christmas Pudding jumper?’

‘Of course I will!’

‘I’ll pay. I know just how busy you are.’

‘Maybe just enough to cover the materials. The rest you can pay in coffee and puddings, that’s only fair.’

‘Sounds a good deal to me. So, do you have time for a coffee now?’

‘Just a quick one, yeah. That’d be great. Then I’ll have to get back and make the most of the last couple of free hours before Amelia gets home. I’ve got a stack of orders to make up by the weekend.’

Rachel set the machine to go and the rich coffee aroma filled the air. ‘You know, I’ll always have Amelia if you need. You’ve helped me enough with Maisy over the years.’

‘Might well take you up on that some time, hun. Me and Ben are like ships in the night just now. I think he’s starting to get a bit cheesed off, in fact. Says I’m a victim of my own success. But whilst the orders keep coming in, then I have to keep making. I can’t let anyone down on their Christmas gifts, can I?’

‘Well, it’s brilliant you’re doing so well, but yes, I can understand that’d be hard, and it’s not as though anyone else can make them for you. It’s your craftmanship that makes them so special. You’re so talented, Eve.’

‘Thanks.’

Rachel passed her a cup of frothy flat white, no sugar, just as Eve liked. The Pantry was quiet and the two tables in were already served, so Rachel took a few minutes out to sit with her friend.

‘And everything okay with you and Tom?’

‘Mostly, yeah …’ Rachel’s voice trailed.

‘Come on spill, what is it?’

‘Again, a bit like you two, we’re finding it hard to get time to see each other these past couple of weeks. And he just seems … I don’t know, a little bit cooler. I can’t quite put my finger on it.’

‘Ah, don’t tell me your loved-up balloon is deflating? You two are the hottest things out. I’m counting on you pair to keep my faith in romance alive.’

‘Ah, well … real life getting in the way and all that.’ Rachel was trying to make light of it, but she was aching inside, wondering if things really were beginning to change between them.

‘Actually …’ Eve started and then stopped herself, as though thinking better of it.

‘What?’

‘Well, I don’t know if this is anything really, but well, there was a car turning into his farm yesterday and the woman driving it seemed familiar – had long dark hair. I knew I’d seen her before. Then it clicked. We went to a BBQ there years ago, in fact I think I was pregnant with Amelia at the time, so there was everyone else on the beers and there was me stone-cold sober. I’m sure the woman was Caitlin.’

Rachel went quiet. Tom’s ex. So the rumours were true, she really was about.

‘Yeah, so everyone was merry except for me,’ Eve continued chattily, ‘and Caitlin actually, who had such a sour look on her face all night. But then, I think that wasn’t long before they split up.’

‘Did she like wearing stilettos?’ Rachel asked. The jigsaw was beginning to take shape.

‘What? That’s a bit of a weird question, Rach. But come to think of it, yeah, I think she did. They always made her look a bit out of place. I mean, who wears stilettos around here?’

Rachel took a sip of coffee, trying to figure out her emotions.

‘What? What is it?’ Eve sensed her friend’s unease.

‘I think she must be back. You think you’ve seen her, old V.P.P. spotted her, and I think she’s been here at the Pantry too. There was this woman who came in, acting strangely – I knew she looked really familiar but it was hard to tell with what she was wearing, and I think she might have dyed her hair since I last saw her too. Did Caitlin have family up this way, who she might be visiting?’

‘Not that I know of, hun.’

‘Hmm, I wonder what she’s up to? Why is she going to Tom’s farm?’

‘No idea. Maybe a little trip down memory lane? Some people manage to stay friends after a break-up.’