Page 42 of Summer at Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

‘Ah yes, no probs, I’ll be back for the big day, no worries, princess. And we’ll just have to see about Chelsea, and uh, Kelvin, okay?’

‘O-kay,’ Maisy conceded.

‘Would you like to join us for supper, Jake?’ offered Jill politely, as she bustled about by the Aga. ‘I’ve got a cottage pie to go in the oven and plenty of fresh veg. It’ll easily do for four. I’m sure Maisy would like you to stay.’

Rachel gave an inner sigh, but conceded that Jill was doing the right thing. Although the relationship was somewhat strained between Jill, Rachel and Jake, Primrose Farm was always welcoming to visitors. Maisy’s grandmother and mother also understood how important having some kind of an ongoing relationship with her father was for Maisy, too. They had to support that, even if that relationship was frustratingly infrequent and inadequate on his part. And, if he did stay for supper with them, then at least they could keep an eye on how things were going, see how Maisy was coping with it all, and field any awkward moments or questions. You never knew what Maisy might come out with!

Dinner was soon ready and they chatted amicably enough around the kitchen table, with Maisy filling in any gaps with her incessant chatter, trying to remember all the things she’d been doing at school and at home since her daddy had last visited seven months ago.

Supper was delicious, with tasty minced beef topped with cheesy mashed potatoes, accompanied by sweet young carrots, fresh from the vegetable patch, and spring greens. Mum was offering out little pots of lemon posset with raspberries on the side, when Rachel thought that she’d better send Tom a quick message, letting him know she’d be there around eight p.m., a little later than intended, but it couldn’t be helped. After their heart-to-heart today, she had said she’d go across this evening, and she was really looking forward to seeing him. With Jake being about tomorrow now too, she absolutely wanted to be home for Maisy in the morning, so unfortunately there’d be no sexy sleepover there tonight. Oh well, they could wait in anticipation for that one. And soon, very soon, they’d be waking up every day together; how amazing would that be?

Rachel excused herself from the table, before they started their puds, and in the privacy of the hallway quickly sent the text. A message soon pinged back:

Okay, thanks for letting me know. I’ll put the supper on hold for a little while. X

Rachel froze. Supper? Oh, no! With all the kerfuffle surrounding Jake’s arrival, she’d totally forgotten that Tom had said he’d cook for her. Her stomach was pleasantly full with Jill’s cottage pie. But she couldn’t let him down, especially as it sounded as if he was making a real effort, and with things still so delicate between them … Okay, she’d miss out on pudding here and go and eat whatever Tom had prepared, that was it. It would be fine, if a bit stomach-busting. He’d never realise and she’d ask Mum to keep schtum.

She replied: Just getting Maisy bathed and to bed. See you soon. Look forward to it! xx

She came back to the dinner table with a forced smile as she spotted the dessert set at her place. ‘Ah, that looks great Mum, but I might just give pudding a miss tonight.’

‘You sure? That’s not like you, Rachel. You usually love your sweet things.’

‘Yeah, feel a bit full, and I do need to get across to Tom’s soon. So, I’ll head on up and start running Maisy’s bath. And you, little miss, can pop on up as soon as you’re finished.’

‘Okay, Mummy.’

She hoped that Jake would take the hint and make himself scarce soon after his pudding too.

‘Can Daddy do my bedtime story tonight, Mummy? I’d really like that.’

‘Ah …’ Rachel floundered for a second or two.

‘Great, I can stay to do that for Maisy, no problem,’ Jake chipped in cheerily, adding, ‘Then you can get yourself all brushed up and ready to meet the hunk that is Tom.’ There was a hint of sarcasm in his tone, or was it a touch of jealousy? That was weird, Rachel mused, as it had been years since they were last together. And he had been involved with several women since then.

‘Oh, and I know where I want to go tomorrow, Daddy,’ added Maisy, who’d obviously been pondering his earlier question. ‘To the beach.’

‘Well, that sounds great. The beach it is then, Mais.’ He turned to Rachel, ‘Is that okay with you, Rach?’

‘Yes, it sounds a nice idea.’

‘Do you want to come along?’ he added, looking at Rachel with a sparkle in his eye.

‘Ah, no, it’s okay. I’ve got my shift to do at the Pantry.’ Rachel couldn’t imagine having a day out with Jake. They’d been distant for so long, and he’d hurt her badly, giving up on her and Maisy when the reality of becoming a parent had hit home. He hadn’t even hung around for the birth, never mind for anything else. But here they were, six years on, and he was trying to be a part of Maisy’s life again.

‘Oh Mummy, but that would be so much fun … with you and Daddy there. Pretty please.’

‘I do have work to do, Maisy.’

‘Remember, Jan’s in tomorrow to help out,’ Jill chipped in. ‘We could probably manage, you know.’

Blimey, they were ganging up on her now. She supposed she did need to get across to Warkton-by-the-Sea soon anyway, to collect the wedding-favour chocolates – and, she suddenly remembered that Eve had her craft fair event there tomorrow too; it’d be lovely to go and say hello and support her. So, perhaps she could tie that in, spend an hour or two doing her own thing, and then meet the two of them for fish and chips at the harbour. A happy compromise.

‘Okay, okay …’ and she told them her plan, which met with a squeal of delight from Maisy.

‘Right then, let’s go and get this bath run for you, Miss Maisy.’

After bubbles, splashing and bath-time fun for Maisy, during which time Jake helped Jill to wash up (miracle of miracles), her little girl was eager to get dressed in her pyjamas, and leapt into her bed, shouting out as loudly as she could, ‘I’m ready for my story, Daddy!’ She seemed so excited, bless her.