Page 90 of Summer at Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

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EVE

It was wonderful to see Tom and Rachel so happy. But inside the tent of laughter, music and joy, there was one heart full of sorrow; heavy with the awful news that she would need to break, tomorrow. Let today be Rachel and Tom’s, and then … tomorrow. It might be that Ben would never find out – Eve was sure that she could trust Rachel and Tom. But, in her heart of hearts, Eve knew that telling the truth was the only way forward. Ben had to know.

Eve had been dancing with Amelia and Maisy, holding hands and swirling in a loop to the happy beat of ‘Cotton-Eyed Joe’. She saw that Ben was at the makeshift bar, chatting to some local pals. Eve suddenly felt the need to get outside and get some fresh air.

‘See you in a minute, girls. Just nipping to the loo.’ There were indeed two Portaloos set up for the event at the field edge.

The little ones giggled at that, and then carried on with their jigs and twirls, and as the next song started up Grandma Jill came on the dance floor to join them. They were full of cake and marshmallows, ice cream and lemonade, and they thought today was the best party ever.

It was just past eight o’clock now, still warm, but the early evening light had a fading quality.

Eve felt her adrenalin from the day start to fade too. How she wished she could just enjoy the celebrations, be happy and carefree, like she had been only a couple of months ago. Oh, God. What had she done? And why the hell had she done it?

But … there was no changing it, and she needed to face up to her actions, however crazy and misguided they were.

A voice she knew so well came from behind her. ‘Eve, are you all right?’

‘Ah …’

She turned to find her husband there, a look of concern etched across his brow.

‘There’s something wrong, isn’t there?’ he prompted.

‘Oh, Ben …’ Eve was so bloody afraid.

‘You’ve not been yourself these past few weeks, Eve. What is it?’ His tone was so caring, loving, and yet Eve knew she was about to shatter his trust in her, his world.

‘Walk with me.’

They needed some space, away from the wedding capers, the joyful shrieks and hoots coming from the tipi … away from listening ears.

Ben took Eve’s hand in his as they walked on up the grassy hill, and that gesture felt as though it might break her heart further. She paused, and saw that the moon had begun to rise in the sky, even though it hadn’t darkened yet.

‘Ben, I’m so sorry …’ She gulped. ‘I’ve done something terrible … and I wish I hadn’t. I know it’s going to hurt you, and I’m so, so sorry.’

His face paled and his hand loosened on hers, but it was still there … for now.

She looked across the rolling countryside, the landscape of her home, their home, and took a deep breath.

‘Just tell me, Eve.’

The truth.

‘I started to fall for someone. It was crazy and stupid … and I got caught up in it all. We kissed. Just one kiss.’

‘God, Eve. No … You’ve been kissing some other guy?’

The look in his eyes made something fracture inside her. She felt his grip release from her hand. The evening air now felt cool and lonely around her fingers.

Ben turned away, as though struggling to take it in. The silence was painful, but Eve didn’t know what else to say.

He turned back sharply. ‘How long? What’s been going on, Eve? Are you seeing this guy or something? Who is it?’ The questions barrelled out clumsily. The questions he had every right to ask.

‘An artist friend … it’s not a relationship. We’ve never been out as such … It was just a moment, one stupid, crazy moment.’

‘That bloody artist … the exhibition. You’ve been acting weird ever since that night. Jeez, Eve. What the hell.’