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Sarah tugged on the rope, testing its strength. She'd raced home from school to do her homework so her mother wouldn't nag her, finishing it in record time. Now she was outside, still in her uniform, but her coat buttoned up tight against the cold wind whipping down the narrow alley and tossing her red hair around her face. She tugged on the rope again and this time it pulled the ladder down closer to where she stood beside the huge warehouse wall. Her fingers closed around the bottom rung and she pulled again, this time with the satisfaction of seeing the ladder drop another couple of feet closer to where she stood atop the wooden crate. She hadn't told her mother anything about her nocturnal disturbances and carried the notebook that she'd used to record the times and dates in her coat pocket. Now she was about to embark on some serious sleuthing to find out just what was going on in the warehouse to warrant all the night-time activity.

She'd run down the alley and found the narrow side path that led down the length of one wall, the other side being closed off with a high wooden fence. Squeezing herself down the narrow gap, she found it opened out very quickly into a wider walkway that allowed access but still kept out any inquisitive neighbours with another high wooden barrier. She tried to peer through some of the grimy glass that covered the windows but she hadn't been able to make out anything interesting, so she carried on, eventually arriving at what looked like some sort of fire escape but with the ladder pulled up to allow easy passage down the side alley. It had been much too high for her to reach the rope dangling down, but a little further along she'd found a rickety crate and, after heaving it over, found she could just reach up and grab the very end of the rope. Now the ladder dangled tantalisingly in front of her. After a quick glance in both directions, Sarah lifted her foot onto the lower rung and hopped, her hands reaching up to grasp the metal edges. For a moment she hung suspended there, neither foot on the crate, but not secure on the ladder either. With a grunt, she inched her way up until she was crouched on the bottom rung with both feet secure. Then it was just a matter of climbing up to the first landing, from there it was an ordinary fire escape and she climbed quickly up the next two sets of metal steps until she reached a door set high in the wall. Panting, she turned and look down, registering that she was now a couple of stories above the ground. "This had sure better be worth all this effort," she muttered to herself as a particularly chill gust tugged at her short hair and lifted the hem of her thick woollen skirt. Reaching out a hand she tried the door handle, finding it unlocked to her surprise but considerable relief. Pulling it open she snuck inside and closed it behind her.

It was very dark, her eyes taking a few seconds to adjust to the gloom. She was on a walkway that ran around the perimeter of the warehouse wall, the obscured windows only letting in small amounts of light that hardly reached the floor somewhere below. Stepping forward to the railing, Sarah looked down and saw the large horse truck that had woken her on so many nights. She waited for a minute or too to see if there was anyone about but the absolute silence mocked her caution and she carefully walked along the gantry until she reached a set of metal stairs going down to the floor. Climbing carefully down she finally stood on the concrete floor. She still couldn't hear anything to indicate anyone was about so she screwed up her courage and pulled out a tiny flashlight from one of her coat pockets. Something had been bothering her since she'd first stepped inside and it now hit her what it was. The place smelled strange, a mixture of diesel oil and mown hay, overlaid with a pungently sweet smell that, for a moment, she couldn't place. As she swept the narrow beam over the floor she suddenly realised what the smell was. Fresh horse dung. Screwing up her nose she edged around the smelly pile, careful not to step in it. Gagging slightly, Sarah hurried to the front of the truck. There she saw an outline of a door in the back wall, but before she could make a move forward, it opened and she ducked back hurriedly into the shadows behind the cab. Twisting around she tried to see if there was anywhere she could hide as the light from the open door clearly illuminated the area directly beside and in front of her. There were several bales of straw and she sidled over, ducking behind them and hunkering down. She heard the sound of one pair of booted feet casually walking around the truck and for a moment she feared they were here for a bale of straw but the boots walked on and she let out the breath she'd been holding. "Some Miss Marple you are, Sarah Weldon," she berated herself, willing her hands to stop shaking and her teeth chattering. Not daring to lift her head, she listened and heard whoever was in the warehouse let the door down on the side of the truck, the man swearing volubly when he stepped back into the pile of horse dung that Sarah had managed to avoid. Raising herself up a little she peeped over the hay bale, watching as the man stamped his boot to loosen the manure, still cursing. Suddenly the outline of another man appeared around the end of the truck and Sarah ducked down, hoping that the new arrival hadn't been looking over at the bales. Her luck held, with the man joining the other beside the truck.

"What's the hold-up ?"

"Just stepped in some shit, damn animals!"

"Look where you're going next time, now get this truck cleaned out and ready for tonight, I've just had a call, there's two more for you to pick up tonight."

"Oh yeah ? Business must be booming. I'm surprised no-one has suspected a thing."

"These English are too stupid to know what they are eating. There has been some interest, the police were here yesterday asking if anyone had been trying to sell me under-the-counter meat." laughed one of the men, the sound high and nasal.

"The police....did they suspect you ?" asked his companion gruffly.

"Would I still be here if they did ?" retorted the man, laughing again. Sarah felt the hair lift on the back of her neck.

"We've picked this area over, shouldn't we spread our net wider ?"

"You could be right, I don't want to lose this gold mine too quickly. It wouldn't hurt if you spent some time this next week sourcing some fresh pastures."

"Sure Boss, I'll get onto my boys and we'll see what we can find out."

Sarah heard the sound of one of the men slapping the others back.

"We'll make a packet, my friend."

Sarah heard the other man start to leave, his footsteps echoing before being muffled by the shutting of a door. She peeped over the bales again and saw the remaining man hefting a broom and sweeping out the remaining straw and manure on the floor of the truck. Finally he dropped the broom and headed for the large garage doors, pushing them open. Sarah could see that it was now getting quite dark outside and she wondered whether her mother had noticed her absence yet. A loud rumble and a cloud of exhaust announced that the truck was leaving, backing out into the alley before stopping clear of the doors. The driver quickly closed them and Sarah heard the deep rumble of the tyres over the cobble stones before the truck roared off down the street.

Rising to her feet, Sarah listened intently in case the other man showed signs of returning, but after a few minutes she once more drew out her flashlight and looked around. Nothing but the small pile of refuse and an overpowering smell of diesel exhaust remained as evidence of the trucks presence. By now the gloom combined with the onset of night made the warehouse almost pitch black and Sarah's tiny torch tried vainly to pierce the darkness. Looking up she could see that the roof gantry was now in complete darkness and she didn't fancy climbing back the way she'd come in. That only left the door that led into the back room where the other man had gone. Edging up to the door she pressed her ear to the wood and listened. Apart from her own heartbeat there was nothing to hear. Slowly she gripped the metal handle and turned it, the door opening easily. Light flooded in and she squinted until her eyes became accustomed. Whatever was on the other side seemed to be reflecting alot of the light back from the overhead fluorescence. Pulling the door wider she stuck her head through and looked into the room beyond. There was still no sign of the man and Sarah eased herself into the room.

Down one side of the brightly lit room were a row of empty stalls, enough for half a dozen animals. A separate door from the one she had come through was obviously where the animals were unloaded, the stalls where they were kept. The bald concrete floor had channels running down the centre and off to the sides and it all looked as if it had been recently sluiced down. Picking her way along the back wall she kept her eye on the door that faced her, obviously leading into the building beside the warehouse. In the far corner, beyond the last stall was a door that must lead to the outside and Sarah trotted across the damp floor as quietly as she could. The bright light from the overheads made her nervous and she never stopped darting her eyes from the garage door to the side door and back again, as if expecting someone to burst through and jump on her. On reaching the far door behind the stalls she tugged on the handle, relieved that this was also unlocked. Pulling it open she prepared to leave the building but a whicker made her pause. Swinging round she looked across the room and saw the dark rump of a small pony sticking out of a stall that had been hidden by a partition half way down the room. Shutting the door again, Sarah tiptoed across the room and reached the stall, her hand patting the pony on the rump as it tried to look around at her within the limits of its short leading rein.

"Hello boy, what are you doing here eh ?"

Looking up Sarah saw a number of shiny implements hanging against the partition that had hidden the pony from her. With a gasp of horror she took in the sharp blades of the saws and knives and her imagination went into overdrive.

"Oh no, no....no...no!" she breathed suddenly noticing the grating in the floor then looking up, seeing the hooks pushed to the end of a overhanging metal beam."Oh no."

Her mouth hanging open she finally understood what the purpose of the room was and her face drained of all colour. Gulping she looked back into the bright eyes of the pony, its head still turned to regard its visitor. Making up her mind, Sarah squeezed past the pony and untied it, pushing her hand against its shoulder to get it to back out of the narrow stall. All the time her eyes darted from the door leading off to the side and back to the door opposite that was her escape route. The clop of the ponies hooves on the concrete sounded unnaturally loud in the empty room and she chivvied the beast to get it to the outside door. Within minutes she was through the door and pulling it shut behind her so that she stood, her hands trembling, leaning against the warm back of her hairy companion. They now stood further down the building from where she'd entered, the narrow alleyway having opened into a courtyard that appeared to lead to a back access lane. Pulling on the halter, Sarah got the pony moving, one hand on the rope the other following the feel of the wooden fence that edged the driveway, her breath now puffing out in clouds because of the cold air. Once they reached the lane she turned sharply to her right and managed to get the pony to break into a trot, both of them jogging down the dark pavement, leaving the warehouse well behind them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Steve pulled his shirt over his head, his skin prickling into gooseflesh in the chill night air. Shivering, he quickly donned his brushed cotton nightshirt before reaching down to tug off his boots. The small alarm clock beside his bed was just ticking past eleven when the sound of hooves entering the yard drew his attention. Barefoot, but still wearing his jeans, he padded over to the window that overlooked the stables. Below he could just make out someone holding a small pony but they were standing beside the old lightning tree, out of reach of the light cast by the one outside lamp left on at night. Glancing over at the cottage he'd couldn't see any lights on and surmised that Dora and Slugger were well abed by now. Turning back he sat on the side of his bed and hurriedly pulled his boots back on before grabbing his jacket and heading off down the stairs to investigate. Pulling open the stable door he found that the visitors were now standing close enough for him to make them out. The girl looked back at Steve with fearless green eyes, her rich red hair pulled back into a short ponytail. To Steve she looked very young but as she stepped forward into the light from the doorway he saw that she was closer to Dora's age than Callie's. The pony that followed her lead stood quietly at her side, its rheumy eyes half asleep.

"You're out late ?" was all he could think to say, as he hastily zipped up the old jacket to hide his pyjama top.

Sarah nibbled at her lower lip, her confidence slipping in the face of explaining to the boy in front of her how she'd obtained the pony and why she'd brought it to Follyfoot.

"I heard you take in horses....I had a friend, Callie, who told me about this place,"

"Oh....yes...we do take some horses, is this one yours ?"

"Um....not exactly....you could say I rescued it,"

Groaning inwardly, Steve ran a hand through his already untidy hair, before tucking his hands into his jacket pockets. The girl suddenly shivered and Steve started forward, reaching for the lead rope to bring the pony inside.

"You'd better come inside, its freezing out here,"

"Thank you....you'll take him then ?"

"We'll see, in the meantime we'll get him bedded down and you warmed up, have you come far ?"

Sarah followed Steve and the pony into the stalls, shutting the stable door behind her. Instantly the temperature rose a few degrees and several heads appeared over the walls of the stalls as curious horses investigated who was disturbing their sleep. Steve was leading the pony to an empty stall at the end of the row and Sarah followed. She watched as he pulled a woollen rug off a shelf and draped it over the ponies back as it munched happily on the hay bag hanging in the corner. As she watched Steve checked the animal out, running his hands over its legs and flank, as well as checking its eyes, ears and mouth.

"You say you rescued him, but he seems in fine health, just a little old."

"I know, but I didn't know what else to do, I couldn't leave him there, it was too awful."

"Leave him where ?"

Sarah shivered again and Steve pulled another horse blanket down and offered it to her, which she quickly wrapped around her shoulders before sitting down on the bottom step of the stairs that led to Steve's loft. Steve leant against the wall and waited, his arms folded across his chest. Looking down he noticed the girls shoes were coated in mud and muck.

"You look tired out, take off those shoes and I'll knock the worst of the mud off them. By the way, I'm Steve, I sleep here in the stables, so if you go up there you'll find it a bit more comfortable than the stairs. I won't be a minute."

Pulling off her caked shoes Sarah handed them over, smiling tiredly. "Thank you Steve, you've been very kind, given how late it is, does this kind of thing happen often ?"

"You'd be surprised," Steve muttered, thinking back on the morning Callie had turned up with the horse from the circus. Taking the shoes he waved Sarah up the stairs before going back to the door to go outside. Halfway up, Sarah leaned over the rail. "By the way, my name is Sarah, Sarah Weldon," she announced, before continuing up the steps.

Steve knocked the worst of the clods of dirt off the shoes, noting that they appeared to be good quality leather shoes. Leaving them at the bottom of the stairs he started up, unzipping his jacket and leaving it on the top newel post. As he reached the top step he stopped and let go a heavy sigh. Sarah had toppled over onto her side while sitting on the edge of the bed and was now fast asleep, her red hair spread out on his pillow like flames, her stockinged feet still resting on the floor. Steve only shook his head and reached down to lift up her feet, noting the splatters of mud coating her lower legs, and place them on the bed, pulling his quilt over to cover the sleeping girl.

"I wonder if someone is going to miss you," he murmured, gazing down at the exhausted girl. "Whatcha wanna bet this is going to cause me a parcel of trouble," he lamented, running his hand through his already dishevelled hair again. "And that's not taking into account what Dora's gonna say when she sees you and that flamin' pony!"

Steve blew out the lantern and, after collecting a thick jumper, he left his loft and made his way back down to the stalls. Shammy peered over her stall at him, nickering softly as he opened her door and stepped inside.

"Move over girl, you've got company tonight."

Pulling on the thick jumper, Steve wrapped himself in one of the horse blankets and settled into the thick bedding lining Shammy's stall. The horse looked down curiously, blowing on Steve's head, its rubbery lips mouthing his dark hair as he tried to find a comfortable spot in the straw. He pushed the horses inquisitive nose away irritably.

"Go to sleep Shammy, its going to be a long day tomorrow and one of us should get some rest. This is sure gonna to take some explaining."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Morning Slugger," chirped Dora, pushing her head through the neck of her jumper. "It's a chilly one this morning,"

"Chilly she says, downright freezing I say," Slugger retorted glumly as he poked at the fire burning brightly in the grate. Above the flames a blackened tea kettle set a steady stream of steam up the chimney. Reaching for a cloth, Slugger lifted the kettle off its hook and carried it over to the table, pouring the boiling water into the tea pot. Dora cast a quick glance out of the window before seating herself and reaching for the warm toast waiting for her on her plate.

"Steve not up yet ?"

"Nah...reckon he's got more sense and stayed in his warm bed, unlike some people who get up whatever the weather,"

"Oh Slugger, its a lovely morning out there, look at the sunshine, listen to the birds...its gorgeous,"

"Blimey..you're chirpy this morning. Did you take an overdose of happy pills or somethin'?" Slugger teased, filling the three mugs on the table with scalding tea. "Here, as you're so full of beans, take this and go wake up his lordship, breakfast'll be ready in a sec."

Handing Dora a steaming mug, Slugger watched as she left the kitchen, flashing him a grin as she shut the door behind her. Shaking his head, he returned to the skillet and turned the rashers of bacon.

Outside Dora lifted her face to the weak morning sun, her eyes blissfully closed to absorb the faint warmth. Sighing she opened the cottage gate and walked across to the farm, setting the mug on the gatepost while she unlatched it and then closed it behind her. Picking up the steaming mug, she walked to the stable door and opened it. Without stopping to do more than call a greeting to the horses that popped their heads over the stalls to stare at her, Dora started up the stairs to Steve's loft.

"Steve, are you decent ?" she called cheerily, her feet beating a tattoo on the wooden steps as she climbed. Below in Shammy's stall, Steve stirred and opened his eyes, his mouth opening in a wide yawn.

"I'm....down here Dora," he murmured, reaching out an arm to stretch and finding it being nibbled by the horse sharing his sleeping accommodations. "Get off Shammy, I'm not your breakfast,"

Dora didn't hear him and continued up the stairs. On reaching the top she paused, seeing the mound of a body still buried under the quilt. Setting down the mug on the bedside table she reached to pull back the cover, but instead of Steve's dark hair she saw a tousled head of flaming red hair and she jumped back with a small cry of shock. Sarah, unaware of the storm about to be unleashed on her head, opened her green eyes and stared blearily up at the girl standing by the bed.

"Hello, who are you ?" Sarah asked, pushing her hair out of her eyes to better see the girl still standing stock-still beside the bed.

"Who am I ? Who the hell are you and what are you doing in Steve's bed ?"

Down below Steve was fighting his way out of the roll of horse blankets, cursing when they continued to imprison his feet. Finally free he pushed past Shammy and unlatched the gate, his mind trying out several placating explanations for Dora. Above his head Dora was still staring at the girl in Steve's bed, her hands finding their way to her hips, her eyes flashing fire as Sarah pushed the covers back and swung her legs over the side of the bed, yawning widely.

"Oh Steve let me stay last night," Sarah tried to explain, not registering the shock that froze her audience. "I was tired out and must have fallen asleep. He was very nice." Sarah finished, looking up at Dora with a smile.

"I bet he was," Dora ground out, her temper rapidly getting the better of her. For a couple of seconds more she stood there, tapping her foot, her arms now folded defensively across her chest, then she turned and fled, colliding with Steve on the stairs as he bounded up.

"Dora I......" started Steve, his hands coming up to steady Dora as she swayed.

"Don't touch me...you....you....Oh!" gasped Dora, wrenching her arm from Steve's grasp. "I suggest you see to your lady friend," she bit out, hurt and sarcasm fighting for supremacy. "I'll be back to muck out after breakfast,"

Steve could only watch in dismay as Dora hurried down the stairs and fled out of the stables, the sound of her running feet fading into the distance, punctuated by the slamming of a gate.

"That was Dora ?" asked Sarah, pulling the quilt around her.

"Yeah, that was Dora," stated Steve flatly, walking over to the window that overlooked the yard and staring blankly at the cottage for a second or two.

"Callie told me about her, she owns this farm doesn't she ?"

"Yeah she does," replied Steve, turning to face the girl in his bed. Mentally he kicked himself for not waking sooner and preventing the scene that had just taken place. "She's not usually like that....Dora's a really nice person,"

"Except when the green-eyed monster has her in its grip," laughed Sarah, smiling broadly at Steve's perplexed look. "Surely you can't be that blind," she chortled, finding the whole situation inordinately funny. Steve only scowled at her and turned back to the window.

"Its not like that.....we're just friends,"

"Oh sure...pull the other one, its got bells on," snorted Sarah, bending over and stuffing the edge of the quilt in her mouth to muffle her giggles. Steve tried to ignore her but a smile tugged at his lips and he turned to smile broadly at her.

"You're incorrigible....I have to go and explain to her what..." Steve spread his hands to encompass the loft, "this was all about."

"Good luck.....oh she brought this mug of tea for you as well,"

"You have it, I'll get another one," he told her, pushing his hands into his jacket pockets. "Look, go and get your shoes then we'll go over to the cottage, Slugger will have breakfast ready and I'm starved."

"Slugger ?"

"He's an ex-boxer, been here for ages,"

"Okay, I'll follow you down,"

"Um...no you go ahead, I need to change," said Steve, a blush creeping up his neck as he shuffled his feet. Sarah only grinned and got up off the bed, her hair sticking out in all directions. She started to finger comb it but Steve handed her his brush to use instead. He fidgeted while she brushed it smooth and tied it up once more in a pony tail.

"I'll wait for you downstairs then ?"

"Sure...won't be long,"

Steve waited for Sarah to start down the stairs, mug in hand, before tearing off his jumper and almost ripping off his nightshirt, dropping everything on the floor in his haste to change into something fresh. Within minutes he was dressed and tidy and jumping down the stairs, two at a time. Sarah waited for him by the stall that held the pony she'd brought to Follyfoot the night before.

Steve joined her, looking into the stall as the pony munched on its breakfast of hay.

"You can tell us how you came by this over breakfast," he told her. Sarah only grinned and turned to follow Steve out of the stable block.

"I don't imagine that Dora will be pleased to see me," she murmured to herself as they crossed the yard.

Steve led her up to the blue door that was the entrance to the stone built cottage. He paused, wiping the palms of his hands down his jeans before opening the door and leading Sarah inside. In the kitchen Slugger was dishing up the bacon and eggs onto several plates, his doleful face alive with curiosity as Sarah entered behind Steve. Dora sat at the table, sipping a mug of tea, studiously ignoring Steve as he sat down beside her. Sarah took a place across the table and looked up at Slugger as he placed a plate in front of her.

"Thank you Slugger, my names Sarah, I'm sorry to impose on you like this. Steve was kind enough to let me sleep in the loft last night."

"Yeah......so I heard," replied Slugger, casting a sideways glance at Dora's stony expression, before turning back and addressing Sarah. "You must have arrived very late last night, I didn't hear you,"

"Oh I did......must have been near to midnight, right Steve ?"

Somewhat sheepishly, Steve mumbled a reply. Dora continued to ignore everything, eating her toast as if she was the only one at the table. Sarah continued with her explanation.

"Anyway, I had to bring the pony to you, I simply couldn't leave it where I found it and I couldn't take it home,"

"Pony ? What pony ?" asked Dora, suddenly coming to life at the mention of the horse. Steve shook his head at Dora's change of attitude, she was so predictable.

"The one I found in the warehouse," Sarah continued, taking a sip of the mug of tea Slugger had refilled and placed at her elbow. "I simply couldn't leave it there once I knew what the place was,"

"What warehouse is this ?" asked Steve.

"It's down an alley opposite my house on Crown Street," said Sarah.

"But why where you in the warehouse ?" asked Slugger, intrigued.

"Well, I've been woken up several nights by a truck that delivers something to the warehouse at all hours of the night, its been happening for ages," explained Sarah, finding herself under the scrutiny of three pairs of eyes. "I recorded all the times and dates in my notebook, but yesterday I had to see what was there for myself."

"What did you find ?" asked Dora, her hostility replaced with curiosity as Sarah continued her story. Sarah started to warm to her tale and leant over the table slightly, fixing her intense gaze on each of her audience in turn. She hadn't been going to drama classes for the last three years for nothing. Steve, Dora and Slugger were all focused on her so Sarah carried on.

"I believe its an slaughter house for the butcher on the high street that backs onto that row of buildings. I also think that they have been butchering horses there!" she finished with a flourish, satisfied at the horrified gasps that greeted her statement. Dora had gone very pale and Steve looked worriedly at Slugger before reaching out to gently grasp Dora's hand.

"We don't know for sure girl, it could be a mistake," said Steve softly, feeling Dora's hand tremble under his fingers.

"All those horses that have gone missing Steve....oh no," whispered Dora.

"I don't believe it," said Slugger, banging his mug on the table, "it can't be true,"

"It is...I've seen it, the truck, the room, the....the...things on the wall for...." Sarah stuttered to a halt. "And where do you think I found that pony!"

"Oh god, I think I'm going to be sick," gasped Dora, lurching back from the table. Steve pushed himself hurriedly to his feet but Dora was already running out of the room and out of the cottage.

Slugger had also risen but Steve waved him off, "I'll see if she's alright Slugs, look after Sarah."

Outside he found Dora leaning against the wall, half bent over, her hands braced on her knees. He came to a halt beside her and laid a tentative hand on her back. Dora came upright and turned to him, her face still very pale and tears standing out on her lashes. "It can't be true Steve, its too horrible...tell me its not true,"

His hands gently grasping her shoulders, Steve pulled Dora into his embrace, her head coming to rest on his shoulder as she gave in to her tears of horror and shock. Steve held her and softly stroked her bent head. "I don't know if it is or isn't true Dora, we'll have to find out for sure." He paused, looking over her head into the kitchen window and watching Slugger and Sarah talking. "It hasn't been your morning has it girl," he murmured, Dora sniffing before pulling away and wiping the tears with the back of her hand.

"I thought....I thought...she...she," Dora hiccupped, her face averted.

"I know what you thought girl, and you were wrong. Sarah arrived last night, exhausted and frozen from bringing the pony all the way from town. She fell asleep on my bed before I had a chance to ask her about anything. I slept downstairs in the stall with Shammy."

"I'm sorry Steve,"

"Better now ?"

"A bit....but what if its true.....that means....oh Steve, that means the people have been eating......eating....."

"Yeah....look we need to talk to the Colonel, and possibly the police."

"Yes of course, we have to stop this at once."

"Thats my girl, now come in and lets find out everything we can before we speak to your Uncle."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"So there you are Bert, what do you think of it ?"

Colonel Maddox leaned back in his chair and waited for Bert to consider his reply. Across from him sat police constable Bert Cummings, his lined face creased in thought as he sipped his cup of tea.

"I won't say that the thought hadn't already crossed our minds down at the station, in fact we checked the property only last week and found nothing untoward. Certainly nothing that would lead the police to suspect Mr.Masters of carrying on a trade in horse flesh for human or animal consumption, for that matter."

"I thought you might have considered it already, but this girl, Sarah Weldon, seemed reliable and she did bring back the pony."

"That she did, but how are we to know that it came from this warehouse ? For all we know she could have found it wandering and simply decided to make up the story to stop this truck from disturbing her nights."

"Oh I think that's a bit far-fetched Bert, she seemed quite sensible to me. Just to digress for a moment, we were contacted by the owner of that mystery pony, it was stolen from their stable only a few days ago and they were very happy it had been found, where ever from or by whom. It's possible that Mr.Masters found the pony himself and just hadn't got around to informing anyone about it."

"Funny you should say that Colonel. That was almost his story when we contacted him after speaking to you on the phone."

"Did you believe him ?"

"Not my place to make that sort of judgment call. He said the animal had wandered into his yard from the back street. He appeared eager to co-operate, showed the officers over his shop and premises, even offered the Sergeant free sausages, not that he accepted them of course. "

"Of course Bert," muttered the Colonel in agreement.

"That then put the whole episode of the girl breaking into the warehouse, if that's what she did, in another perspective and she's lucky Mr.Masters isn't interested in pursuing a charge of breaking and entering against her."

"Very true. It's all a very rum business, its upset Dora greatly. I'm glad your boys are on the ball."

"We may be a small constabulary sir, but what we lack in numbers we more than make up for in investigative ability."

"Never doubted it for a moment Bert."

Outside the office Dora drew back from the door, her face reflecting her dissatisfaction at the outcome of the visit from the local bobby. Turning away from the door she walked slowly out of the cottage and up to the gate leading into the farmyard. It was getting on for the middle of the day and Steve was leading three of their horses out of their stalls ready to let go in the home paddock for a run.

"Open the gate Dora, these boys are raring to go."

Dora smiled at Steve's description of the less than lively horses he was leading placidly towards her. Apart from Copper, and possibly Shammy and a couple of other, none of the horses in their care could be classed as remotely lively or raring to go. The last time a horse had become that frisky was when Steve and Dora concocted a scheme to prevent Taminy from being sold and practically stuffed the poor animal full of oats so that by the next day he was kicking the life out of his stall and dancing all over the yard. It hadn't worked entirely their way because the Colonel quickly twigged to what they had done, despite their best efforts, but Dora couldn't help but smile when she remembered Steve trying to hold Taminy back while her Uncle, Wendy and Mr.Bendigo looked on in shock.

"Come on girl, stop dreaming and open that gate, Ben is pulling my arm out of its socket,"

"Oh come on Steve, Ben doesn't look frisky, he looks bored!"

"That's as maybe...he still needs to get out there," Steve retorted grinning, "I've got to change his bedding and I can't if his great clodhopping feet are in the way."

Pulling up the latch, Dora swung the gate wide and Steve led his troop of horses out onto the grass, unclipping their lead ropes and swatting their rumps to get them going. With the leads dangling over his shoulder, Steve joined Dora at the gate, pulling it shut behind him.

"So what do the boys in blue have to say ?" he asked as they walked towards the enclosure where the donkeys waited, watching impassively as their caretakers approached.

"I don't think the Police believe Sarah's story. Bert told Uncle that they've already searched the buildings and found nothing, or atleast nothing that was out of the ordinary for a butchers."

"So there's nothing they can do ?"

"There's no evidence," said Dora glumly.

"What about the pony ? Surely that's evidence enough."

"Apparently Mr.Masters said it wandered into his yard and he hadn't got around to informing the police about it."

Steve snorted dismissively. "So Sarah made it all up ?"

"I don't know Steve, maybe she misunderstood what she saw,"

"Is that what you think Dora ?"

"No...I don't think she made it up, but there's nothing we can do....is there ?"

"We could go and look for ourselves."

"Oh Steve....but Bert said that Sarah was lucky not to get charged with breaking and entering,"

"Then we'll just have to be more careful."

"I don't know," said Dora, ducking her head.

"Hey, this is a switch, usually I'm the one saying we can't do this or shouldn't do that," Steve leaned in and used the tip of a finger to tilt Dora's face up, her eyes meeting his, clouded with doubts.

"Look, why don't I phone Sarah and see what's been happening," he suggested, receiving a nod in reply. Ron bustled out of the barn, his wheelbarrow overflowing with bedding straw.

"Oi, if you two have finished your little chat, can we get some work done 'ere."

Steve walked away, shaking his head, back the stable to return the tack while Dora went over to join Ron.

"You looked very cosy," teased Ron, pushing the wheelbarrow to the doorway of one of the stall. The noise brought Slugger to the entrance, a rake in hand.

"What took you so long, flippin' heck you take an age to fill a barrow," he grumbled at Ron, turning to wink at Dora.

"It's not my fault, I had to have a rest, didn't I,"

"A rest, he says, you only arrived half an hour ago and already you're taking a rest ?" retorted Slugger, leaning the rake against the wall and reaching for an armful of straw.

"Had a busy night didn't I, didn't get my full quota of beauty sleep," said Ron smugly, his hands jammed into his jacket pockets.

"Out dancing Ron ?" asked Dora, picking up a bucket and walking to the trough.

"No...just out with me mates, you know, the usual," Ron told her, picking up a straw and putting it into his mouth.

"Usual for you means trouble for someone else," muttered Steve, appearing in the doorway with a curry comb in his hand.

"At least I have a social life mate, more than I can say for you," shot back Ron, bridling at Steve's teasing. "In fact there's a dance at the local tonight, not that I expect anybody here to be interested," he told them, winking a Dora.

"Come on you lot, we've still got a heap of work to get through, and dinner won't make itself," Slugger told them, glaring at Ron.

"Yeah yeah....like anything is going to improve your stew," muttered Ron, picking up the now empty barrow and wheeling it towards the barn. Dora turned and picked up the full bucket, carrying it over to the lightning tree and emptying it around the base. As she looked up at the tree, Steve walked toward the gate behind her. Turning she watched as he carried on and entered the cottage, looking back briefly to raise his hand in a wave before closing the door.

Dora paused to pat the donkeys, their heavy heads butting her hands for more when her attention wandered. With a final pat and a glance back at the cottage, Dora heaved a sigh and walked towards the stall, Slugger was right, there was a ton of work still to do.

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"I knew it wasn't worth working for," grumbled Ron, using his fork to push the stew around his plate.

"Well no one asked you to stay for tea that I'm aware of," said Slugger as he sawed away at the bread, tossing a slice to Ron.

"Ah well, me ol' mate, that's where you're wrong, Dora asked me to stay late," Ron told him smugly, looking across the table at Dora and grinning broadly. Slugger also looked at Dora who ducked her head to avoid meeting his gaze.

"Oh she did, did she. Well that's alright then,"

The door opened and Steve entered, his leather jacket over his arm.

"Going somewhere are we ?" queried Ron, looking Steve up and down, taking in his smart shirt and dress slacks.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I am. And I have you to thank Ron."

Looking surprised Ron pointed to his chest and raised his eyebrows.

"Me ? what did I do ?"

"It wasn't what you did, this time," said Steve repressively. "You said I didn't have a life outside Follyfoot and then you reminded us about the dance on at the hall tonight."

"You...at a dance!" Ron exclaimed, looking quickly at Dora to see her reaction.

"I'll go and get ready," Dora muttered, pushing away from the table and moving past Steve.

"What!" exclaimed Ron, his face a picture. He waited for Dora to shut the door before rounding on Steve. "You're taking Dora to the dance ?"

"Yup... and its all thanks to you Ron." Steve watched a Ron struggled to say something that didn't constitute a swear word. Slugger looked on impassively, his eyes twinkling at Ron's obvious discomfort.

"But....but...I didn't...." Ron stuttered, his usual cocky manner deserting him in the face of such atypical behaviour from his rival.

Then Steve completely floored him, "Dora suggested it, thought it might be a good idea to......make a date,"

"Well, that's that then, the end of the world has come. Dora and Steve going on...on..a date." Shaking his head Ron looked down, pulling a face at his plate of cold stew. Steve just smiled and started on his own plate, exchanging a glance with Slugger.

Steve had just started to drink his coffee when Dora returned, hesitating before coming into the kitchen. Slugger saw her first and a wide smile creased his face.

"You look a treat Dora," he said, bringing a shy smile to Dora's face.

"Wow, what a knockout," said Ron, whistling appreciatively. Steve rose to his feet and pulled out her chair.

"You look great," Steve told her warmly, his eyes taking in the simple long sleeved mini dress that clung to her slim form, the autumn colours bringing a warm glow to her face. She's put on makeup and dressed her hair with clips to hold it away from her face, exposing her ears where delicate earings swung and sparkled. On her feet were a pair of brown knee-high, fine leather boots with lace up sides and a small heel.

"Thanks," Dora whispered, blushing under the admiring glances of Ron and Steve. Gulping down his coffee, Steve rose and pulled on his jacket, then held Dora's coat and helped her put it on.

"We'll be back about midnight Slugs, don't wait up," said Dora, blushing again as Steve placed a hand on her elbow and steered her out of the kitchen. Ron still sat at the table, his expression sulky. Slugger got up and walked over to the window, watching as Steve handed Dora into the landrover before walking around to the driver's side and climbing in. Looking back at Ron's face, he clucked his tongue and waited for the landrover to leave before turning away from the window.

"Don't know why you're sitting there like a bump on a log," he said, watching as Ron's head came up and he looked at Slugger blankly. "Why don't you go as well, you've got your bike ?"

"Yeah......yeah, of course, good idea me ol' mate, ta. Twos company, but threes more entertaining, doncha know," Ron quipped, grinning wickedly before suddenly leaping to his feet, almost toppling his chair, and rushing out of the room, the front door banging behind him. Minutes later Slugger heard Ron's bike roar into life and careen off down the driveway.

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