Summer at Rachel’s Pudding Pantry - Caroline Roberts Page 0,1

after all. A once-in-a-lifetime occasion.’

‘Yes, but there’s no need for it to make us stony-broke. And I want everyone to enjoy it, not just me.’

‘Oh, I suppose … but what a shame, love.’

‘It’s fine … There’ll be another dress to catch my eye somewhere, I’m sure.’ Rachel rallied, despite the nip of disappointment, as she headed back into the changing room. She took one last longing glance at this gorgeous dress before the assistant stepped in to help undo the rear zip, ready for her to step out of it.

‘I know it’s a long shot … I don’t suppose there’s any chance of a discount on this one?’ Rachel ventured. Well, if you didn’t ask …

‘Oh, I’m sorry, madam, but we can’t reduce this one. It’s the new season’s range, just come in, and we always try to price our dresses competitively as it is. The others you tried were the remaining few from last year’s stock, that’s why we could discount them. I’m sorry.’

Rachel gave the dress one last look, the delicate flowers appliquéd on the draped tulle skirt catching her eye, as the assistant began to place it carefully back on the hanger. Ah well, a chance to dream.

‘Are you sure?’ Jill asked, as she emerged from the changing room.

‘Yes, I’m sure. It’s lovely, but it’s just too expensive. It’s not about the dress at the end of the day, it’s about me and Tom, isn’t it?’

‘Yes, you’re right,’ her mum sighed and nodded. ‘Come on then, I don’t know about you, but all this dress shopping has just about done me in. I spotted a coffee shop over the road. Shall we go and recharge with a cappuccino?’

‘Great idea.’

Settled at a wooden table by the window of the café, Rachel could see the assistant tidying the little wedding shop after their visit. Her dress was placed back on the rail, ready for someone else to try on.

‘We’d manage somehow, you know love …’ Jill’s voice trailed off, as if she was a little disappointed too.

‘No, it wouldn’t feel right – even if it looked right – if I blew the budget already. I’m sure I can find something else that’ll do just fine.’

How Jill wished she had some secret savings stash she could dig into right now – she’d so love to make her daughter’s day. Maybe there was a way she still could?

Whilst Rachel nipped to the bathroom, Jill sketched what she could remember of the dress on a white paper napkin, while it was fresh in her mind: the simple yet flattering bodice with its V front and back, the fine tulle of the skirt with its gorgeous appliqué flower design. She then popped the drawing into her handbag. Well, you never knew …

2

TWO MONTHS LATER

‘Have you remembered to put the hiking boots in, Mum?’

‘Yes, both our pairs are in.’ Jill was trailing a couple of all-weather anoraks to the Land Rover. Well, you had to be prepared for all eventualities in Scotland, rain or shine, even in May and at the supposed start of summer.

‘Prosecco?’

‘Yep, got the essentials packed, of course. The box of six is in the boot.’

‘Perfect … and I’ve got the sticky toffee puddings and the Tupperware box of meringues from Granny Ruth right here.’ Rachel perused the back of the truck. Cases in, yep, the cool bag of provisions, yes … hmm. Rachel had a mental check list but she was sure she was going to forget something. She knew she should have written it all down last night, but she’d been far too busy getting everything ready for Maisy’s next two days at school and for staying over at Amelia’s. She’d also been flat out organising everything on the farm ready to hand over to their farmhand, Simon, and Tom – her lovely, gorgeous Tom – who were taking the reins whilst she was away for her hen do. A hen do, she could barely believe it.

It felt weird packing up the truck, ready to pick up her best friend and maid of honour, Eve. It was going to be a weekend to remember, Eve had boasted, though she still hadn’t spilled on all the details. Rachel was so excited but there were a few nervous butterflies in her stomach too; as a single parent she hadn’t had a night away since Maisy had been born five years ago, and with her father’s tragic death nearly three years past, and the devastation they had endured in the aftermath, the