Page 69 of Christmas at Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

The Pudding Pantry was full of festive cheer – there were only ten days left until Christmas, after all, and just as they’d prayed, the customers wanting to sample the Swinton’s delicious puddings and bakes kept on coming. They had another fifteen Christmas Pudding orders in, and as well as making those they still needed to stock up the Pantry shelves for the regular flow of customers looking to enjoy a pre-Christmas treat out, as well as those wanting to take something home for the family or to keep for store cupboard Christmas supplies. The fairy lights were twinkling, the coffee machine gurgling, and Jill and Rachel had been baking like trojans last night and this morning. They still needed to work as a team, so Rachel kept her emotions in check and had said nothing about having seen her mum with Daniel.

Rachel got back from her rounds on the farm to launch herself into making two Bailey’s Irish Cream cheesecakes, and a cherry and whipped-cream filled chocolate roulade. Jill had already baked some steamed gingerbread puddings, full of festive spice, and a large apple and cinnamon crumble.

Frank was in for his morning coffee just after ten thirty, and today he fancied some of the gingerbread pudding with a swirl of citrus cream. A sudden rush meant that all the tables filled at once, with a queue forming for Christmas Puddings orders. Bless him, Frank even chipped in at one point, carrying across a tray of tea and scones to table nine, and clearing table six to help them out.

Tom arrived for his elevenses bacon roll, stopping for the quickest of chats, and grabbing a coffee to take away as he was going back to sort out the mounting pile of the farm’s paperwork and e-mails. Hmm, that reminded Rachel – her current admin was waiting on the ‘to do’ pile. But there was only so much multitasking you could do in one day!

‘Sorry, Rach, I’ve really got to dash. I’m waiting on a call from the bank too.’

Rachel well knew how tense that kind of a call could be and gave an understanding smile. The counter and a whole host of customers kept them apart, but her skin tingled for his touch. It had been far too long since they’d had chance for an evening together, just the two of them. It felt like they were dancing around each other just now, and it felt a nervous, hesitant dance. The family had been about after the nativity play, and she’d never had the chance to talk to him after the Christmas Fayre event. So they still hadn’t yet managed an honest chat. Was he still hiding something from her?

‘Okay, we’ll catch up soon.’

‘Yeah, of course.’ He headed off, striding out, tall and handsome, with her heart in his hands. She pulled herself back to her Pantry customers. It was a hectic time and though Rachel and Jill were both tired from weeks of early starts and late finishes, it was wonderful to see a real swarm of Pudding Pantry customers enjoying the ambience in the barn, sitting by the cosy log-burning stove, and tucking into their home-baked delights there. The counter was a festive treasure trove of mouthwatering cakes, bakes and puddings galore. Their dream for the old barn had truly come alive before them. They really were, thankfully, starting to turn their fortunes around.

It was already turning dark outside and four o’clock rolled around quickly. Maisy was now with them in the barn, as Rachel had dashed down on the quad – only just in time – to collect her from the school bus. It was now freezing and very frosty out; the ground had remained solid all day, with its white-gilded dusting. Rachel and Jill started to pack up, as there was only one couple remaining after the rush.

After the last customers had gone, Rachel offered to go across and cook supper. There was some ham and local cheddar left and she’d thought she’d make some omelettes for them. It’d be good to give Jill a bit of a night off too, as her mum tended to take on the bulk of the home cooking.

‘That’ll be nice, thanks pet. Well, I’ll finish off here. We’re nearly done, anyhow. You go across and take Maisy.’

‘Okay.’

Rachel had got Maisy settled in front of the television after spending some time reading her school book with her. She’d chopped the ham and grated the cheese, ready for the omelette fillings. She’d even peeled some potatoes ready to boil. Moss was laid out by the Aga, enjoying its warmth, after being out in his kennel for the day. They should be making the most of a quieter evening and looking forward to Christmas together as a family, but Rachel’s heart was full of unease over this new development with Jill and Dan. And what irked the most was the fact that her mum had been lying to her. They didn’t keep secrets from each other – it just wasn’t the way they worked. Not until now, anyway.

Once Maisy was in bed, Rachel kept herself busy in the kitchen, doing her accounts and then making a carrot cake for the Pantry the next day. She liked to try and contribute to the Pantry’s baking, but the real truth tonight was that she really couldn’t face sitting down, watching TV with her mum and pretending that everything was okay.

Once the cake was in the oven, Jill came through, a look of concern shadowing her face. ‘Rachel, what is up with you? You’ve been quiet for days now. There’s something you’re not telling me, for sure.’

That was it, Rachel broke. ‘There’s something I’m not telling you, Mum? Don’t you think it’s the other way around?’ Rachel answered pointedly.

Jill stayed silent.

‘Mum, you don’t need to lie any more; I know. I saw you together.’

‘What are you talking about?’

‘You and Daniel. All cosied up in The Cheviot Café last week.’

‘Ah.’ Jill looked a little taken aback.

‘So, it’s all right, you can carry on your little affair, make it public now if you like.’ Rachel couldn’t stop her tone sounding acerbic.

‘Look, I’m sorry, I was just trying to protect you, love.’

‘What from? I’m not a child. I’m not five like Maisy. You should have let me know what was going on. That you and Dan were meeting up. Not let me catch you at it and pretending all the while that you were seeing Jan.’

‘Hang on there! At what?’ It was Jill’s turn to be affronted. ‘If you mean having a coffee together, then that’s the sum of it. And yes, if you must know, I do enjoy Daniel’s company. But there’s been nothing sordid or scheming about it.’

‘So why all the secrecy? You even told me you were seeing Jan that day?’

‘Yes, and I did see her. I called there, but she had to nip out unexpectedly soon after and then I called into town to see if Brenda might want any more of our puddings, so I’d know what I’d need to make next. That’s when I bumped into Daniel.’

‘So, it wasn’t planned?’ Rachel was softening, but still struggling to get her head around it.

‘No, it wasn’t planned – and I didn’t mention anything to you for exactly this reason. Why stir things up, when I don’t even know how I feel about it all myself, or if it’s going any further than a cup of coffee? Yes, okay, I admit it, I do like Daniel, but it’s very early days. And you know what, Rachel, I do have a life of my own! I don’t actually have to tell you every little detail.’

‘It was a shock, Mum, seeing you both like that, I didn’t know what to think. And it looked like far more than a friendly chat.’