Page 24 of Christmas Wishes at Pudding Hall
‘Rhubarb!’ she exclaimed.
The man cried out, ‘She guessed it, Robert, she guessed the tusky triangle.’
A man from another stall selling gin laughed. ‘You might as well retire now, Petey – she knows your secret.’
‘Aye she does,’ said the man called Petey. He smiled warmly at Christa. ‘And for that, you get a box of assorted fudges, including the mystery one that you guessed.’ He handed Christa a ribbon-wrapped box.
‘That’s so kind but I can pay,’ she said.
‘No, it’s a pleasure to give to someone who knows their rhubarb from their crab apple. And it’s good to be generous at this time of the year, don’t you think?’
Christa placed the box into her shopping bag. ‘I do, thank you. I will come back and buy some more next week. I’m sure these won’t last long with my sweet tooth.’
She was about to keep walking when she thought of a question for Petey.
‘Are there many homeless or people in need around here? I would like to do some volunteering, mainly around food as I am a chef, but I’m not from here and I wasn’t sure if maybe you knew any places or organisations?’
Petey leaned in over the display of fudge. ‘I knew you were special,’ he said and she saw his old blue eyes crinkle as he beamed at her. ‘I help down at St William’s food bus. It’s usually from ten till midnight. I used to help a few times a month but since the weather has been cold and people are away for Christmas it’s been hard to get people to help or even provide food.’
‘Oh yes, I want to help; I need to help. I’m Christa Playfoot. I’m new in town,’ she said to him. ‘Who can I call?’
Petey was writing down a name and number on the back of a brown paper bag.
‘Call Zane, he’s the social worker who runs the bus and outreach programme. He’s a good fellow and he will guide you. Tell him Petey told you to call.’
Christa carefully folded the paper and tucked it into her purse.
‘You are a dream, Petey, thank you.’
‘And you, Christa, are a gift to me and to the people of York. Welcome.’
Petey’s Tusky Triangle Fudge
Ingredients
1kg/2¼lbs of fresh rhubarb, chopped
2 cups white sugar
2 teaspoons grated orange zest
1/3 cup orange juice
½ cup water
340ml/11½fl oz evaporated milk (unsweetened condensed milk)
600g/21oz caster sugar
30g/1oz butter
275g/9¾oz of the rhubarb mixture
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Method
In a saucepan, combine the rhubarb, sugar, orange zest, orange juice and water. Bring to a boil, then cook over medium-low heat for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until thick. It will thicken more as it cools.
