Page 71 of Christmas at Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

33

Nothing more was said on the matter the next morning. There was still a strong air of tension and both Rachel and Jill were afraid they might fire up the argument again, so they let the dust settle and forged on with their busy lives.

That evening, the last Pudding Club of the year was about to go full steam ahead with Rachel and Jill at its helm. Staying as professional as ever, no one would have guessed they’d had a big falling out just the night before.

There was Rachel, in her Christmas Pudding jumper that Eve had made especially for her, and Jill was sporting a Frosty the Snowman knit. Her gorgeous friend, bless her, had even made Maisy a jumper with the exact face of Jill’s Rudolph Cupcake on. They were apparently one of Amelia’s favourites too, and they’d taken one home. She’d laughed as she told Rachel she had the perfect model, though Amelia was most put out when she was told she couldn’t dive in and eat it straight away. As a special treat, Maisy was allowed to stay up late tonight and join in at the Christmas Jumper Pudding Club.

Rachel had sent a message out on the club’s e-mail loop to advise members to come in their favourite festive pullovers to celebrate the ‘Club before Christmas’. Even Frank had made the effort and was looking very dapper with a Santa Claus tie and matching waistcoat.

‘Where did you get that ensemble, Frank? It’s fabulous,’ said Jill.

‘Oh, I’ve had it for donkey’s years. Found it lurking in the back of the wardrobe. I was amazed it still fitted, to be honest. The old tummy’s not as trim as it used to be.’

‘Hah, it’s all these puddings you’ve been eating,’ Rachel jested.

‘I know, I keep saying you two are a bad influence.’ He gave a broad smile.

The theme this time was Easy Christmas Bakes, and as Rachel’s Bailey’s Cheesecake was one of her favourite go-tos – and be honest, who doesn’t like a tipple of Bailey’s Irish Cream over the festive season – she’d made that for the taste trial. With no actual baking involved, it was quick to prepare, the filling dead easy to whip up, decorate, chill and serve. She managed to make two of them whilst serving solo at the Pantry and it was going down very well with the pudding clubbers.

‘Oh my, I need this recipe.’

‘Dreamy,’ said Eve, who was sporting a bold Robin Redbreast knit and now had a glazed look on her face.

‘This’d work well after a fancy dinner party. Not that I tend to give many of those nowadays with a toddler in tow,’ Kirsty said, smiling from above her Father Christmas pullover.

‘Perfect for a girls’ night treat.’

‘Oh yes, though I might just eat the whole thing myself – it’s delightful,’ agreed Christine.

‘Scrummy, it’s like the poshest Angel Delight-style filling that’s a bit naughty with Irish Cream in,’ Charlotte raved, fittingly sporting a sparkly angel jumper.

‘Well done, Rachel,’ said Daniel, who was wearing a Fair Isle Rudolph knit that his mother had apparently made for him several years ago. He gave a thumbs-up of approval and – although she knew he was in no way to blame – Rachel found that she couldn’t quite meet his eye.

They drank tea and coffee, and Rachel also had a plate of buttery pastry mince pies for them to dive into. The conversation then turned to other easy bakes and crafty shortcuts they kept up their sleeves for busy family times and emergencies.

‘Cheat’s trifle,’ said Eileen. ‘Buy in some good custard, madeira sponge, cream, raspberry jam and fresh raspberries and the obligatory splash of sherry, of course.’

‘Excellent.’

There was a Choco-o-nana trifle suggestion too by Kirsty, a banana and chocolate custard dream by the sounds of it, which Rachel noted down – Maisy would love that.

‘Well, I make Christmas Tree Meringues. Just add a little green food colouring to your meringue mix, and when they’re just baked, sprinkle on a few hundreds and thousands, and fix a little sugar star to the top from those sprinkles packs. So easy and pretty. The grandchildren love them,’ added Christine.

‘Ooh, they sound great.’

WI Denise mentioned a gorgeous-sounding microwavable chocolate fudge recipe that you could add all sorts to, to make festive gift bags or hand out with a coffee as a little treat: dark chocolate and Christmas pudding, white chocolate and cranberry, were her family’s two favourites. Yummy.

‘And I make lots of shortbread as gifts for Christmas time. If you cut them into star shapes, and add a little sugar dusting as they cool, they look so pretty.’ This was from Pamela, the lady from Alnwick.

‘Oh, that reminds me of the star biscuit Christmas tree I make,’ added Jill. ‘The star cutters come in various sizes, and if you stick them together, smallest at the top, sandwiched with green icing they make a fabulous biscuit Christmas Tree. You can break them off one at a time to eat.’

The group were really inspiring each other, and there were so many great suggestions and so much chatter that Rachel was able to sit back for a while, relaxing with her cup of tea and just soaking up the ideas and camaraderie.

The last suggestion from her friend Charlotte brought a big smile to her face. ‘Coming to buy something at the Pudding Pantry is my emergency backup,’ grinned Charlotte. ‘Honestly, I love what you’ve done here. It’s brilliant.’

Despite it having been the most hectic of weeks – and, in all honesty, dragging herself out to the Pudding Club had seemed a chore today after all the drama – Rachel was so glad she had soldiered on and made the night happen for everyone. This group felt like a lovely support team already.

The evening was rolling to a close.