Page 15 of Summer at Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

‘Sounds a good idea. We’ll be driving back tomorrow and need clear heads,’ added Jill sensibly.

‘Back to reality,’ said Hannah.

Indeed, back to reality, thought Eve with a heavy heart.

6

Before they all headed off to their beds, Rachel felt she wanted to say a few words. It had been such a wonderful few days with her besties beside her. ‘Thanks so much, everyone, for making this long weekend so special. It’s been a ball. I’ve loved it … and I’ve loved being with you lot.’ She found herself feeling a bit emotional.

‘Aww.’

‘It’s been fab. I haven’t laughed so much in ages. I actually have sore ribs,’ said Hannah.

‘And hey, we’ve still got loads of fun to come, remember,’ added Charlotte with a wide smile. ‘There’s a bloody beauty of a wedding day to celebrate in July.’

‘Hah – yes!’

Thinking of Tom, and of her beautiful surprise wedding dress that was hidden in the wardrobe, of welcoming yet more friends to the celebrations, and having the rest of her family around her – including little Maisy, bless her, who was going to be a flower girl along with Amelia, and Granny Ruth, who wasn’t quite up to a hen do (though Rachel would have bet she’d have given the abseiling a go!) – all filled her with joy. Not to mention the amazing food they were planning for the reception, and the celebratory bubbly.

Yes, the best was yet to come, of course it was.

A little while later, with everyone settling for bed, Eve wandered back into their bedroom from the bathroom, uttering a subdued, ‘Night, Rach.’

Her friend didn’t seem right at all. She’d been way too quiet today. Yes, she was nursing a hangover, but Rachel had seen that before. This was different; it was as though she was keeping something in. And … what was that with the Truth or Dare game? The others hadn’t seemed to pick up on it, but that question about the kiss, she’d gone all weird and cagey. She and Eve were so close, Rachel had a feeling there was something deeper going on.

‘Hey, you okay, Eve?’ Rachel ventured, as she scrubbed her face with a cleansing wipe. ‘It’s just … you seemed a bit … off … today.’

‘Yeah, no worries. I’m fine, Rach.’

But the tone of Eve’s voice and the look on her face told Rachel that her friend wasn’t fine at all.

‘Eve, come on … it’s me … tell me.’

‘Everything’s all right, Rach. I’m just being silly. It’s your hen do, this is a celebration, you don’t need to listen to me harping on.’

‘Well, whatever it is, I can see it’s troubling you. So, hun, I’d rather you harp on, than sit stewing on it. Is it to do with Amelia, Ben? Something with me?’

Eve let out a long slow sigh. ‘Oh, Rach … I don’t even know how to say it.’

‘Well try, just blurt it out. It can’t be that bad … and if it is, I’m here for you, whatever it is.’ Rachel sat down on the bed beside Eve, the two of them slumped together against the headboard, taking them back to being teenagers.

‘Umm …’ Eve let out another sigh. ‘It’s just … there might be someone else.’

Rachel couldn’t hide her shock. What on earth was her friend talking about? Someone else for Tom? What did she mean? There was a lump in her throat like a stone, and Rachel’s heart felt as if it had fallen down a mine shaft.

Eve must have seen her face drop. ‘No, it’s not anything to do with you or Tom,’ she blurted out to clarify. ‘Me … it’s me.’

‘What do mean, Eve. Another man?’

Eve nodded sheepishly. ‘Don’t worry. I haven’t done anything stupid; well not quite, not yet. There’s been a near-kiss moment, that’s all.’

Rachel was still trying to take this all in. Eve and Ben were such a lovely couple. So solid. And there was little Amelia. Rachel would never have imagined that anything like this might happen.

‘What about Ben? Your family, Eve? What’s happened?’ Rachel was still pretty incredulous. Eve just wasn’t the gallivanting sort.

‘I can’t get him out of my head,’ Eve stated, looking sad and torn. ‘And I don’t know if that means I don’t love Ben any more … I don’t know what to think.’

‘Oh, Eve. Who is this guy … how?’