Summer at Rachel's Pudding Pantry Read online

  ‘Hmm … just a few bits.’

  ‘Hah, are you intending to elope or something?’

  A flush of colour blushed across Eve’s cheeks. ‘Don’t be so daft. It’s just a few clothes, and well, it could be all weathers. And … there’s a few extra things to make sure we have a really nice time. It’s your hen do, after all. Ooh, talking of which, there’s more still to bring from the kitchen …’ Off she dashed again, returning a couple of minutes later with yet another box of prosecco. ‘Essential hen-do supplies,’ she beamed. ‘Well, we are in the middle of nowhere. We can’t be running out of the bubbly stuff.’

  ‘Eve, we’re only staying a few miles from Oban. We’re not exactly going to the Outer Hebrides.’

  ‘Oh well, better to be prepared,’ Eve grinned.

  ‘Exactly,’ called Jill from the cab.

  ‘Oh, and there’s one last thing, there’s a lasagne all made ready on the kitchen side. If you could bring that out for me, Rach …?’

  ‘Really? Oh, wow, that sounds delicious.’

  ‘Well, I was making one for Ben and the girls to have, so I thought I’d double up. So, tonight’s supper in our cosy lodge is sorted.’

  ‘Aw, that’s brilliant.’

  With the back of the Land Rover finally loaded, Eve jumped in, ready for the off.

  ‘Sorted?’ asked Rachel. ‘Sure you’ve got everything?’ she added wryly.

  ‘Yep, sorted!’

  ‘Great stuff, this is exciting isn’t it,’ added Jill with a wide grin.

  ‘Let’s hit the road,’ announced Rachel from the driver’s seat.

  Within twenty minutes, they were over the Scottish border and winding their way along country roads, through rolling hills. The Land Rover climbed and the moorland road peaked to give them a view down over the city of Edinburgh and the wide grey Firth of Forth. The traffic began to get busier as they skirted the city on the bypass heading for Glasgow. The Land Rover was rattling on well – so far so good.

  An hour later on the motorway near Glasgow, they saw a services sign.

  ‘Anyone else ready for a wee stop?’ chirped Eve. ‘I’ve been holding on for a while.’

  ‘Sounds a good idea. And a nice cup of coffee wouldn’t go amiss,’ replied Jill.

  ‘Oh yes, a latte is calling,’ added Rachel, flicking the indicator on.

  The services car park looked busy as they pulled to a stop, with people scurrying in and out of their cars like ants. For a second, Rachel wondered where their varied lives were taking them, what journeys they were making today – the holidays planned, family visits, the trips to work. It was a world away from the peace and quiet of Primrose Farm in the Cheviot Hills.

  Jill moved to gather her handbag from the footwell, just as Eve exclaimed, ‘Ooh my, eyes at two o’clock, ladies.’

  ‘What?’ Rachel looked around frantically. ‘Oh, I see.’ Rachel’s mouth hung open, just as Jill moved quickly to see what the fuss was about, managing to bang her head on the dashboard. The younger girls giggled.

  ‘Ah …’ Jill had clocked what they were staring at now, taking in the guy in the white van parked opposite them who was removing his T-shirt, oblivious to their ogling. He revealed a rather toned and tanned bare chest.

  Jill began rubbing the back of her head. ‘Crikey, I haven’t seen a body like that in a long while.’ She quirked an eyebrow.

  ‘Mu-um …’

  ‘What do you mean, Mu-um? You two are thinking the same, I’m sure.’

  Actually, Rachel had seen a body like that rather recently, and was very much looking forward to getting married so she could see it every night. Her gorgeous Tom Watson.

  The man had now peeled off and discarded one T-shirt to replace it with another.

  ‘Hmm, well, you don’t get to see that every day,’ added Eve cheekily. ‘It’s a bit like that old Coca-Cola advert, do you remember?’

  ‘Hah, yes. Probably not PC any more, but guaranteed to put a smile on a girl’s face.’

  They grinned, grabbed their bags, and got down out of the Land Rover, at the very same time that Mr T made his exit from his van. He fired them a broad smile across the car park, before strolling towards the services entrance. The girls were happy to follow those long legs and pert buttocks, sneaking a glance at each other and then erupting into a fit of the giggles, suddenly feeling like teenagers again.

  ‘And so, the hen do begins,’ announced Eve chirpily. ‘Not at all a bad start either, ladies.’

  After a quick coffee stop, they climbed back into the truck and tucked into the melt-in-the-mouth caramel brownies that Jill had baked as a surprise.

  ‘And, that’s not the only secret we have up our sleeves,’ Eve said conspiratorially.

  ‘Oh, you can’t leave it at that. Come on, spill.’ Rachel hated being left in the dark. Much of the weekend planning had been left to Eve and the other hens. What had they got in mind?

  ‘Not telling …’ Eve patted the side of her nose. ‘You’ll just have to wait and see.’

  It didn’t seem as if Rachel was going to find out just yet, so she turned on the engine, turned up the radio, and concentrated on the road ahead. Rachel and Jill smiled broadly as ‘Islands in the Stream’ came on, one of Dad’s old favourites, and they all sang along at the tops of their voices.

  3

  ‘Are we nearly there yet?’ chimed Jill, just like little Maisy might say.

  ‘Well, it says there’s only about a mile to go,’ reported Eve, checking the GPS on her phone.

  They’d passed the quaint coastal town of Oban and were winding their way through narrow country lanes. The woods became denser around them, a little gloomy in fact. Rachel really hoped they weren’t going to be stuck out in the depths of nowhere like something out of Stephen King’s Misery. Some hen do that’d be!

  But, soon enough, the thick pine trees gave way to open countryside again, and the road became dappled with sunlight, the bracken at each side giving the landscape a moorland feel. A red squirrel dashed across the road in front of them before leaping up into an old Scots pine.

  ‘Ah, look, did you see that? What a cutie,’ Rachel exclaimed. She loved spotting wildlife.

  And then, as they rounded a corner, they saw a lake shimmering silver ahead, and a wooden lodge – set back from its shoreline – came into view. Wow, what a stunning setting. Rachel’s fears were swiftly allayed as she pulled up beside the cabin.

  ‘Oh, what a pretty spot!’ called out Eve. ‘Even if we are miles from humanity.’

  The Scottish town of Oban with its small shops, bars and restaurants was actually only five miles away, but out here it felt as if it could be a hundred miles distant. And with all the ups and downs of recent times – losing her precious father, working like a trojan at the family farm, and the pressures of single motherhood – Rachel reflected that this felt like the perfect tonic right now. And with her best friends, gorgeous mum Jill, a heap of brownies, prosecco and a whole load of wedding plans in tow, what could be better?

  ‘It’s beautiful,’ added Jill with a beaming smile.

  ‘Come on,’ Rachel leapt out of the truck. ‘Let’s go and explore.’

  They climbed the wooden steps up to the balcony. Walking around the lodge, they came to the front deck that overlooked the lake. And yes, there was the fancy hot tub they had seen in the pictures online.

  ‘Wow, what a place for a prosecco moment!’ Eve pointed at the Jacuzzi with a wide grin. ‘Bubbles in the bubbles.’

  ‘Oh yes.’

  ‘Sounds good to me.’

  ‘A pool with a view.’

  And what a view.

  It was a warm May day, the sky a deep azure with just the odd puff of cloud. The lake was small yet so pretty, reflecting the blue of the sky. There was a cottage nestled on the far hillside, but no other buildings near to their lodge. Nothing to disturb the view, or the noise of birdsong around them. A grey and white heron stood on one leg, concentrating on the waters beneath him. A pair of mallard
ducks paddled happily, whilst a coot busied herself at the reeds on the water’s edge with three little ones swimming beside her. Rachel wondered instinctively about little Maisy and felt a stab of maternal panic. But it would all be fine, she reminded herself. Maisy was settled at school, and she’d enjoy the sleepover at Eve’s house with Amelia tonight, where Ben would be spoiling them with pizza and ice cream. It was time to switch off, Rachel realised.

  They wandered back, found the key under the flower pot as instructed, and opened the door on to a gorgeous open-plan living area – all wooden beams, a cosy log fire, a large dining table and chairs, and a characterful kitchen. Perfect. Exploring the cabin with big grins on their faces, they found the four bedrooms: two doubles that overlooked the lake, a twin and a single.

  ‘You take a double room, Mum. Eve and I will have the other, Kirsty and Hannah can share the twin, and we’ll save the single for Charlotte.’

  ‘Great. And we get the lake views.’ Jill made a thumbs-up sign.

  ‘Absolutely.’

  ‘Me and Rach will be up chatting all night anyhow, knowing us pair,’ said Eve.

  ‘Right, well let’s go and unload all of Eve’s twenty bags from the boot then, and get our one case each Mum,’ Rachel added wryly.

  ‘Well, I don’t know about you lot,’ added Jill, ‘but I’m ready for a cuppa. Let’s get unloaded and I’ll get the kettle on.’

  ‘A cuppa, really? This is a hen do, ladies. Let’s get the prosecco opened!’ Eve grinned.

  With a glass of bubbly to hand and swimming costumes on, the girls opened up the French doors and made their way to the inviting hot tub on the deck area. They climbed the three wooden steps, and one by one slipped down into the warm frothing water.

  ‘Marvellous,’ said Jill, settling back in the bubbles.

  ‘What a spot,’ added Eve, taking in the view of the lake as a gentle breeze rippled over its waters in tiny silver waves.

  ‘Ahh, this is what it’s all about,’ Rachel said slumping back, just managing to keep her glass above water level as the bubbles rose over her shoulders. ‘Oops, don’t want to water this stuff down.’

  ‘Bliss.’ Eve gave a small sigh.

  ‘Oh, and now we’re finally here with time to think, I’ll need to talk over some of the wedding plans with you lot too,’ said Rachel.

  ‘Absolutely, that’s what we’re here for, after all.’ Eve smiled warmly.

  ‘Can you believe it’s only seven weeks to go until the big day?’ Rachel pulled a panicked face. ‘It’s all creeping up so fast. July will be here before we know it.’

  ‘I know. Time’s flying just now,’ added her mum.

  ‘And … I’m getting slightly worried that I still haven’t chosen a dress yet,’ confessed Rachel with a sigh. ‘I’ve a feeling I’m going to end up in a white binbag with the arms cut out at this rate.’

  Eve and Jill caught each other’s eye.

  ‘I know it’s not the end of the world,’ Rachel continued, trying to convince herself it didn’t matter that much in the big scheme of things, ‘I’ll find something that’ll do … But that dress I saw back in March has stuck in my mind. Oh well,’ she rallied. ‘I’m glad we’ve spent the money on the tipi that we’ve booked for the wedding day, and we can afford to make a fabulous buffet for everyone to enjoy. Even if the rest of it is on a bit of a shoestring. A dress is just a dress, after all …’ Rachel took a gulp of her rather lovely pear-drops-tasting prosecco. ‘It’ll all work out, I’m sure. And I know I’m really lucky, just getting married to Tom’s going to be pretty damned special, even if I do end up standing at the altar in a bin bag.’

  Rachel spotted another look passing between her mum and Eve.

  ‘What?’ There was definitely something going on between the two of them.

  ‘Don’t be too despondent about the dress, love,’ soothed Jill.

  Her mum and friend raised their eyebrows at each other, Jill giving Eve a nod.

  ‘It’s just … we might have something in the offing,’ added Eve.

  ‘You do? Well, that’s great … is there a wedding dress shop in Oban then? Have you booked an appointment?’ She bloody well hoped it had a bargain rail.

  ‘Hmm, there might be,’ answered Jill, with a twinkle in her eye, not yet giving anything away. She looked at Eve conspiratorially; they were both fighting to hide their smiles.

  ‘Come on. You can’t leave me hanging like this …’

  ‘You’ll just have to wait and see,’ concluded Jill, and she clinked glasses with Rachel and Eve with a ‘Cheers.’

  Rachel hated being kept in the dark. What did this pair have up their sleeves?

  Just as the afternoon sun was starting to fade, Kirsty and Hannah phoned to say they were making good time on their journey.

  ‘I can’t wait to get there. It sounds amazing. And you say you’ve been in the Jacuzzi already, you lucky things. No children, no night feeds, no nappy changes for three whole days. Woo-hoo!’ Kirsty cheered down the phone line.

  ‘See you soon,’ shouted Hannah excitedly from the passenger seat. ‘Save us some prosecco, guys.’

  ‘Ah, we’ve got plenty, don’t you worry,’ called Eve.

  An hour later, with the lasagne warming in the oven and Jill’s homemade pudding waiting in the fridge, Rachel sat relaxing on the sofa, settling into the rhythm of the weekend. Just as she thought about closing her eyelids, letting the prosecco carry her into a luxurious nap, a pair of hands were suddenly placed firmly over her eyes.

  ‘What the …!’

  ‘Please stand and step this way,’ giggled Eve, drawing Rachel to her feet.

  ‘You two are definitely up to something. Tell …’ Rachel demanded, affronted and excited at the same time.

  ‘We thought the hen might be a good time to give you a sneak preview …’

  ‘A sneak preview of what? Would anybody care to enlighten me?’ Rachel raised her eyebrows from underneath Eve’s slightly clammy palms. After taking several steps together, Eve lifted her hands away with an ‘Eek …’ just as Jill called out ‘Ta-dah!’

  Rachel found herself in the double bedroom assigned to her mum.

  ‘Mu-um?’

  ‘All will be revealed very soon, love. Oh, I do hope you like it …’

  There was an air of tension as Eve disappeared from view and there was a rustle from behind the cupboard door.

  Eve then appeared with an anxious smile and a heap of ivory-cream material, layered across her arm, that trailed down to the floor. Jill stepped across to help her hold the hanger and then rearrange the material, draping it down to rest on the floor.

  It was a dress … a beautiful wedding dress! Just like the one in the shop all those weeks ago. And yet as she looked closer, she recognised it was a slightly simpler design. The material of the bodice looked different but it was just as pretty, and the style of the appliquéd flowers was softer somehow; they appeared to be almost floating on the skirt. But wow. Just wow!

  Tears started to fill Rachel’s eyes and she found she couldn’t speak. How had they done this? Was it really for her?

  ‘Do you like it? Oh gosh, Rach, I really hope you like it. I’m not sure if I got it quite right,’ Eve started gabbling.

  Jill stood smiling, holding the dress aloft, taking in her daughter’s reaction.

  ‘I … I love it. But how? How did you do it?’ Rachel was still incredulous.

  ‘I made it.’ Eve sounded happy and proud and anxious all at once.

  ‘Well, love, don’t you think you should try it on?’ prompted Jill.

  ‘Ah, yes … of course.’

  ‘I had to guess at the fit,’ added Eve, ‘but we’re pretty similar, and I know your usual dress size. I can always tweak it.’

  ‘But how did you know the style and everything, when we weren’t allowed to take any photos?’ There had been a big sign in the bridal shop’s changing room about no cameras being allowed.

  ‘It’s amazing what you can jot down on a nap
kin,’ explained Jill, with a smile. ‘Followed up with a little research and some pictures off the internet.’

  ‘Wow,’ Rachel repeated, taking off her jeans and her floral print top.

  The dress was now off the hanger and ready for her to step into, with Eve and her mum holding it proudly. Eve’s guesswork was pretty damned good as Rachel slipped it on. The delicate buttons up the back drew to a close just about perfectly.

  Rachel looked down at the gorgeous gossamer voile-style skirt that had beautiful handmade flowers appliquéd onto it. There was a shimmer too as little sequins, stitched here and there, caught the light. The bodice was made of what looked to Rachel like an ivory cheesecloth material that fitted in a sleeveless V, revealing just the right amount of cleavage, so very like the design from the shop.

  ‘You made this?’ It was still hard to believe. ‘It must have taken you ages, Eve. It’s just beautiful.’ Rachel lifted the stunning material of the skirt in awe.

  ‘It’s just the prototype, by the way. I’ve used a cheaper linen material as the base to get the cut and design right. The tulle top layer, I can re-fix. I wanted to be sure you liked it before I made it up in the satin version.’

  ‘What do you mean? This isn’t the finished thing? But I love it. I love this material … it looks kind of “boho” and country, and it’s just what I want. Do not change a thing on it, Eve. I forbid you.’

  ‘You’re sure?’

  ‘It does look gorgeous on her, I must say, Eve. You’ve made a wonderful job of it,’ said Jill.

  ‘Well, we can tweak the final fit, but if you’re happy Rach, that’s a whole lot of work you’ve just saved me!’ Eve grinned.

  ‘Hah, I can put you to work on other things – bunting for the tipis for a start!’

  ‘Okay, that’s fine by me. I’m just delighted that you like it.’

  Rachel took a step forward and took her friend by the hands. ‘It’s perfect, and it means so much more that my very best friend has made it for me. Thank you so much, Eve.’

  They fell into a hug, and then Jill joined in, all three of them with happy tears in their eyes.