Page 11 of Summer at Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

‘He sure is,’ said Eve, proud of her friend.

Soon a few of Ross’s mates had joined the group and there was more chat and laughter. They were keen to know where the girls were from and what they all did. Ross, it turned out, did garden maintenance; mostly bigger jobs like lopping tree branches, cutting back shrubs, mowing large lawns, he explained.

‘Yeah, I’d been to Glasgow that day to pick up a new ride-on.’

Several of the girls raised their eyebrows at that, with a giggle bursting forth from Eve.

‘Lawn mower,’ he added, shaking his head but grinning all the while.

It was all harmless fun and added to the jollity of the night. But after one more round of drinks, which the local lads insisted on buying, Rachel spotted Eve sidling up to Ross and batting her eyelashes, getting a little too up close and personal. Now that really wasn’t like Eve at all. What was she up to? She was definitely starting to look a little the worse for wear, wobbling on her high-heeled shoes too.

‘Time to go, Eve,’ Rachel called out, moving in to steer her away from Mr T. The others were already popping on their jackets anyhow, deciding it was time to head back to the lodge.

‘They were a nice bunch of lads, weren’t they?’ said Rachel.

The girls were crammed in the back of the Land Rover, chatting away on the slightly bumpy ride home along the winding lane to the cabin.

‘Yeah, pretty cute too,’ chipped in Kirsty.

‘Hah, well, we’d only be looking. We’re all married – or nearly married – ladies, after all,’ added Charlotte.

‘Hmmm, absolutely,’ Eve said a little drowsily.

‘Well, I only have eyes for Tom. Honestly, I couldn’t even imagine wanting anyone else, ever.’ Just thinking about him made Rachel feel all warm and fuzzy.

‘Well, that’s a good job, seeing as you’re getting married on the fourth of July,’ added Hannah.

Eve was unusually quiet, sitting a little slumped in the seat next to Rachel. ‘You okay, hun?’

‘Yeah,’ Eve’s voice was a whisper. ‘Think I might need a bit of air.’

‘You’re not going to be sick, are you? Shall I shout on Mum to stop?’

‘No, no, I’ll be fine, honest. Just a bit woozy …’

‘Anybody got a carrier bag as insurance?’ added Kirsty wryly.

The hens got sleepier on the last mile back, the winding road and effects of the alcohol lulling them. Eve rested her head on Rachel’s shoulder, and Rachel stroked her friend’s hair gently.

Half an hour later, after a brief nightcap back at the lodge, Hannah and Kirsty had given in and headed to bed, followed soon afterwards by Charlotte and then Eve. Jill, who still remained sober, started clearing the glasses into the sink, and gathered up a handful of confetti from the floor. ‘Oh …’ She suddenly stopped in her tracks.

‘What’s up?

‘Oh nothing … well,’ she burst into a daft grin, ‘I didn’t realise they did willy-shaped confetti, I must say!’

‘Hah, nor did I.’ Rachel scooped some up from the table top, taking a closer look.

‘Bloody hell, it is too. I’d better warn them not to bring that to church, the vicar would have a fit.’

They had a good old chuckle.

‘Don’t worry about the washing up now, Mum. We can do that in the morning.’

‘Well, I am pretty shattered,’ admitted Jill. ‘It was a great night though.’

‘Yeah, it was … and thanks again for driving.’

‘No worries … and at least I won’t have a thick head in the morning.’