Page 81 of Summer at Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

‘Yes, I know, it’s laughable really. But I’ve explained it all to him and, luckily, we’re fine now.’ She couldn’t help but smile. ‘Better than fine, in fact. Oh Mum, I can’t wait until tomorrow. It’s going to be just brilliant. Getting married to Tom. But …’ She paused, ‘It’s still going to be hard too. Tonight, this is it: my last night here on the farm. It feels so strange.’

‘I’m sure it does. But this is a gorgeous new start for you, Tom and Maisy. Life has a way of working out.’

‘But Mum … I’m worried you’ll be lonely here on your own,’ Rachel confessed.

‘Now don’t you be fretting about me in all this. I’ll be fine, love.’ Jill was happy to put on a brave face. ‘You just be sure to keep popping by. We’ll be working together all the time anyhow, and Maisy can stay for sleepovers whenever she likes. And hey, I’m looking forward to you spoiling me over at Tom’s place too.’

‘Of course. Oh … I so wish Dad could be there tomorrow.’

‘I know pet, I know.’ Jill gave a heartfelt nod. ‘We’ll be fine though. Dad wouldn’t want to be spoiling your big day.’

‘No.’

They both had misty eyes at this point.

‘Oh, I’ve just had a thought. I wonder … yes, there’s something Tom might like to have … for the wedding. Hold fire … I’ll just go and find them.’ And with that, Jill was up and out of her seat and dashing off up the stairs.

Rachel took a sip of the prosecco and sighed as a happy-sad feeling tugged inside.

Rachel listened to some rummaging sounds and drawers being pulled in and out, before hearing footsteps on the stairs once more.

‘Found them.’ Jill gave a proud beam, bearing a small, navy-blue box in her palm. ‘You might remember them.’

Rachel opened the box to reveal a pair of tractor cufflinks made of silver.

‘Oh, yes … they were Dad’s!’ Rachel remembered pulling up his shirt cuffs to play with them, sitting there on his knee. The years suddenly melted away.

‘Yes, I bought them as a gift for your dad on our tenth wedding anniversary. He loved them, brought them out on special occasions. He’d have definitely been wearing them tomorrow …’ Her voice trailed off. ‘Well then …’

‘Oh, Mum.’

‘Anyway, I wondered if Tom might like them. What do you think?’

‘I think that’d be absolutely wonderful. I’m sure he’ll say yes if he knows they were Dad’s.’

‘Umm, it’s a bit late to go over now, but I’ll pop around first thing and see what he thinks.’

The wedding service at the church in Kirkton wasn’t until twelve noon, so they had a few hours to get organised in the morning.

‘I’ll send him a message, let him know about them,’ said Rachel.

‘Good thinking.’

‘That’s so lovely, Mum … are you sure, though, about giving them away?’

‘Absolutely; they’re only getting dusty in the drawer there. About time they were worn again. And yes … I’d like it if Tom kept them. He’s a part of our family now.’

With that, Eve came down carrying her make-up box. ‘Thought I’d left that pink one at home for a minute. I must have taken it out ready, found it on the side in your room, Rach.’ She looked up. ‘Ah, are you two okay? Thought it was just me with the misty red eyes?’

‘Yes, we’re fine. Just found something of Dad’s,’ Rachel explained.

Jill opened the box once more.

‘Aw, bless. Yes, I remember seeing those.’

Rachel explained Jill’s idea.

‘Aw, that sounds lovely. It’s going to be such a beautiful day, Rachel. I know it’ll have its emotional moments. We all miss your dad, bless him, he was such a character, but we’ll make it the best day we can. You and your mum, Maisy and Tom, you all deserve it to be special.’