Page 53 of Summer at Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

‘What’s all this on the table?’ What had happened now? she wondered. Couldn’t they catch a break? The carton of honey ice cream that she’d brought along to add to the pudding was now melting in her hands.

‘It’s the paperwork from the local land agent,’ Tom said glumly. Oh god, thought Rachel, information on how to sell.

‘Oh,’ was all she could muster at first. She took the seat next to him, feeling a heaviness in her heart. ‘Are you all right?’ she said softly. ‘Is it really coming to that?’

Tom nodded slowly and then sighed. ‘I’m trying to get a step ahead and be prepared for the worst, should it happen. But yes, it might well come to selling.’

‘Oh Tom, I’m so sorry.’

He looked up, with the weight of the world on his broad shoulders. ‘I had to break the news to my parents today. I’ve been holding back until now. But they need to know what’s going on, if they see the “land for sale” signs going up … well. And, you know what the village is like for spreading news. Bad news always travels fast.’

Rachel rested a hand on his shoulder. She knew all too well from their own recent troubles what the thought of losing it all – your land, your inheritance, your livelihood – felt like.

‘Dad was gutted, as you can well imagine, though he was trying his best to hide it,’ Tom continued. ‘He’s worked all his life for this place, and his father and grandfather before him.’ A brief smile then warmed his face. ‘Still can’t keep away, though he’s meant to be retired. Always popping in to see if he can lend a hand … Oh, Rach, I’ve let them all down. Trust me to choose such a bloody toxic relationship …’

Rachel could tell how much he was hurting. It seemed so bloody unfair. It also made her skin prickle. After all this drama with Caitlin, was he really able to love again, to trust again?

‘Oh, Tom,’ her voice was a whisper; so afraid the whole thing might fall down around them like a house of cards. She placed her hand over his, to show support, give hope; but he felt so very tense.

‘Anyway,’ he looked up, ‘enough of that. How are things with you? How’s it been with Maisy and her dad?’ The effort it took to ask about Jake was plain on his face.

‘Yeah, it went all right, actually. Maisy enjoyed her day on the beach.’

‘Well, that’s good.’

‘Yeah, I think Jake’s trying really hard … he seems to have changed this time. It’s like he finally wants to be there, be a proper dad for Maisy.’

Tom looked at her with a frown, ‘You’ve changed your tune, Rach. What happened to “the unreliable little twat”?’

‘Well, we all deserve a second chance, don’t we? The opportunity to put things right.’

‘Yeah, but it seems like he’s had a whole load of second chances, Rach.’

‘Tom, he’s Maisy’s dad. And, whether you like it or not, he’s going to be around and a part of her future.’ Somehow, they’d have to work this out – her, Tom, Maisy and Jake, when he made his visits.

‘That’s not really a given, is it, the way he flits off on a whim. Christ, we didn’t choose our exes well, did we?’ He sounded exasperated.

Rachel had hoped to smooth things over by coming around, but they still seemed miles apart. Tom was in a black mood, and some of it was justified, but she needed him to click out of it soon.

‘No, we didn’t,’ she admitted. ‘Look, I know everything’s a bit tough right now, but we can get through it. And … bloody hell, Tom,’ she couldn’t help her frustrations spilling over, ‘could you just try and be a bit more positive about the future? We’re getting married in less than three weeks’ time and I want us to enjoy it, to celebrate with our family and friends, Jake included.’

‘What?’ Tom looked gobsmacked. ‘You’ve gone and invited Jake to our wedding?’

Oh god, she’d let it slip. The cat was well and truly out of the bag now.

‘Look, Maisy invited him, I couldn’t very well say no. It’s not the end of the world, Tom. Maisy wanted him there.’

‘But I don’t. How would you feel if Caitlin was coming to the wedding?’

‘That’s different and you know it. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, but it’s all arranged with Jake now. I’m not going to let Maisy down.’ Rachel was undeterred. ‘I want her to be looking forward to our wedding day, Tom, and if that means Jake coming, so be it.’

‘Jeez.’

‘Look, I came around to try and make things better between us,’ Rachel let out an exasperated sigh. Whatever she said or did lately, it seemed to keep spiralling them back down into conflict. ‘And I know you’re having a tough time with all this, with Caitlin and the farm, but can you at least try to look at things from my perspective? It’s hard for me too, and you’re so damned grumpy about everything lately.’

‘Sorry for speaking some home truths. Look, I just don’t trust the guy, that’s all. There’s only one person that Jake cares about, and that’s Jake.’ His tone softened, ‘Look, I … I just don’t want to see you or Maisy getting hurt again.’

She recognised some truth in that. Perhaps Tom was only trying to look out for the two of them.