Page 51 of Summer at Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

‘Yeah, great mate,’ Jake cut in, leaning across to the open window.

Tom gave him a look that said he was anything but his mate.

‘Good, thanks,’ replied Rachel calmly, trying to hold it together. ‘It was … nice at the beach. And lovely to see Eve at the craft fair.’

‘Well … see you later then,’ Tom said to Rachel, as he put the truck back into gear. He couldn’t get out of there quickly enough.

‘Okay. See you later.’ Why did life and relationships have to be so damned complicated?

26

EVE

The hall was beginning to empty out and Eve felt a sense of foreboding. She and Aiden would soon get the chance to snatch a few moments of conversation before packing up and heading home. He had come across to say ‘hi’ earlier in the day, which she had to admit had set her all a-flutter. But other than offering to fetch her a cup of coffee mid-afternoon, they’d both been busy since … and that had probably been a good thing.

Thankfully, her cash box had several notes in. She’d counted over £100 in takings by lunch time, and this afternoon had seen a lot more people coming through. Of course, she’d have to take all her costs into account – materials, fuel to get here and the hire of the stall, not to mention her time – but she was pretty certain the day had been a success. If she could clear a couple of hundred pounds to add to the family funds, then that would be brilliant … and it might just help cheer Ben up a bit.

Eve glanced up to see Aiden staring at her from the far end of the room. Their eyes locked for a few seconds, before a warm smile lit his face. Oh my, she felt a bit jelly-legged.

How could a mere smile do that to your insides?

‘You okay?’ he mouthed.

‘Yeah, you?’

‘I am now,’ he grinned. ‘Catch you in a mo.’

Melting, toffee-warm feelings oozed over her. Eve had to compose herself as a late straggler paused and looked at one of her toys; a gentlemanly-looking hare in a tweed waistcoat.

‘It’s all hand-sewn,’ she confirmed. ‘I make them myself.’

‘He’s gorgeous. My granddaughter will love him, I’m sure, and it’s her birthday soon. I’ll take it, thank you.’

‘That’s great.’ Eve packaged up the toy, popping a business card in the brown paper bag too – a tip from savvy Rachel – and passed the purchase over with a smile. ‘Many thanks, and I hope your granddaughter enjoys him.’

The woman paid, adding, ‘I’m sure she will.’

Another satisfied customer, and that felt good.

After popping the notes in her cash box, Eve looked up to see Aiden standing right beside her stall with his movie-star grin. Actually, this close, there was something about him that reminded her of the actor Tom Hiddleston … and that made it so hard to concentrate when she tried to say ‘Hello’.

‘Had a good day? It looks like you’ve been busy.’ His voice was warm and velvety.

‘Yeah, I have been. Haven’t had a chance to count the takings yet, but it’s been busier here than most of the events I’ve done lately. What about you?’ She looked up into his deep blue eyes.

‘Well, I sold one painting, a couple of prints, and I have taken a commission for another. So, it’s definitely been worthwhile. To be fair, with my originals priced at around £500, I don’t expect to get much casual trade at this type of event. It’s more about getting my name out there, and letting people know about the gallery.’

‘Yes, of course.’

‘Talking of which … I’m about to open a new exhibition for the summer. I’ve just finished a new collection, using lighter tones and brush strokes – summer seas and skies, summer storms.’

‘Sounds amazing.’

‘It opens officially next Saturday, but I’ve a preview night coming up at the gallery, Friday evening, for a few special guests and friends. Would you like to come?’

A giddy mix of excitement and foreboding hit Eve all at once.

‘You can let me know what you think about the exhibition … cast your artistic eye over the displays and see if you think I’ve got the positioning right?’ Aiden continued. ‘So it can be spot-on for the opening day.’