(The bit where Steve and Dora get together….)

Dora was at the window, watching as a Range Rover pulled up outside the farmhouse. Steve had arrived to help with the Follyfoot open day and was going to spend a week at the farm. Her heart was in her mouth as she watched him climb out and retrieve his hand luggage from the boot. She hopped from one foot to the other, her nerves on edge and butterflies in her stomach. 'Oh pull yourself together', she thought, 'you're not sixteen anymore', and threw her shoulders back, took a deep breath and marched to the front door. Flinging it open she found herself staring into those lovely brown eyes again. Steve was a bit taken a back but as he appraised her he thought how stunning she still looked. The spell was broken as Cathy charged round the corner like a ship in full sail, carrying bunting and flags which spilled to the floor as she threw her arms wide to give him a big hug.

“Steve! How lovely to see you.” As she hugged him she looked at Dora over his shoulder and could see her wrestling with her emotions. “You’ll have to forgive me guys but there are still a million and one things to do before the hordes arrive so can you show Steve where to put his stuff?” She looked at Dora and winked. “I’ll catch up with you later Steve” she called as she rushed away with bunting flapping behind her.

“Don’t mind her. She’s going to be a bit manic today. I’ll show you to your room and then we can have a look around.” She smiled warmly at him, and as he followed her upstairs he thought wow, she’s still got a great backside!

************************

Cars were streaming up the lane and into the field where Ron, who had also been roped in to help for the day, was trying to direct them into an orderly fashion. “Blimey it’s gonna be a full ‘ouse” he exclaimed and then cursed as someone decided to be awkward parking in the wrong place and then they stuck two fingers up at him.

A familiar voice behind him said “Are the masses giving you a hard time Ron?” He turned to see Steve grinning from ear to ear. “Hey Steve mate. You got ‘ere then. Couldn’t give us an ‘and could ya? I’m startin’ to lose the will to live with this lot!”

“Sure why not?”

“Better put one of these blinkin’ things on, ‘ealth ‘an safety yer know” he rolled his eyes and passed him a yellow fluorescent jacket from a pile beside a fold up chair. A sly grin crept over his face. “‘Ave yer seen Dora yet?”

“Same old Ron. You don’t change do you” he laughed. “As a matter of fact she’s just given me the guided tour. They’ve done a fantastic job with this place bringing it back to life again.”

He heard a scrunch of gears and turned to see a battered metro driving straight at them “Watch out! I think we’re about to be run over” and as they jumped back a little old lady slewed to a halt beside Ron narrowly missing his feet. She wound down her window. “Excuse me dear, does the colonel still take in old horses?”

“‘Ere we go again” sighed Ron.

” You see, I’ve got this old horse and I don’t know what to do with him. My daughter is putting me in a home soon, thinks I can’t manage so what am I going to do with Arthur?

“Arthur…? Asked Ron

“Yes dear, my horse. I told you …do keep up!” Steve smiled and turned his head away.

Dotty old bat thought Ron but said aloud “Well I’m afraid the Colonel ‘aint ‘ere anymore see, and I don’t fink we can do much today for ya luv, as we’re a bit busy like.”

The old lady looked about her for the first time seeing hundreds of cars parked up, people milling about and a large sign saying “Follyfoot Riding Stables and Livery Yard. Grand open day. New farm shop open selling fresh produce, bouncy castle, pony rides and lot’s more… Today at 10.00 am.”

“Oh dear, oh dear what am I to do?” And she tapped impatiently on the steering wheel with a gnarled hand.

Dora wandered over. “Is there a problem?”

“Well I was just trying to tell this young man here that I want you to look after my old horse for me as I’m being shipped off to the old folk’s home” she looked pleadingly at Dora.

“We don’t take in anymore old horses now I’m afraid.”

The old lady’s face fell and she started to wring her hands together. Dora looked into the kindly, wrinkled face and remembered Steve shouting at her many years ago about her not caring for people, only horses. She could feel Steve’s eyes on her now and she said “How old is the horse?”

“Arthur’s twenty five and a bit stiff on his pins, a bit like me. You will take him won’t you dear?” Dora bit her lip and remembered how she’d felt when forced to sell Copper after falling on hard times. She could see the anguish in the old ladies eyes and decided she’d have to talk Simon round.

“I’ll speak to the owners but I’m sure it won’t be a problem. Come with me and we’ll see if we can find them.”

“That’s champion!” The old lady beamed and got out of her car and abandoned it, leaving the door wide open. Leaning on a walking stick she followed Dora towards the farmhouse.

“She don’t change neither does she? Always caring about the old ‘orses”. Ron said.

“I think” said Steve “this time she may have been thinking about the old lady as well as the horse.”

A horn blared making them jump and they turned to see a queue of cars behind the Metro which was blocking the road. “Oi! Wot about the car?” Ron shouted back at Dora and the old lady, but they had disappeared into the farmhouse.

He shrugged. “Give us an ‘and to push it out the way can ya?”

Steve grinned and as he walked round the back of the car he remarked “Nothing much changes here either. Complete chaos as usual!”

****************************

Cathy and Dora were exercising two of the livery horses. Cathy’s mount was a particularly explosive thoroughbred and she was hanging on grimly as he skittered and shied at every imaginary demon. “Oh do behave yourself Jasper. I shall bring my breakfast back up in a minute!” she said crossly.

The open day had been a great success and Steve had gone back to Scotland after a week helping in the livery yard but Dora was feeling unsettled now he’d gone and was sitting hunched in the saddle with a long face. Looking at her, Cathy said “Come on let’s blow the cobwebs away and see if I can calm this nutter down.” They started at a sedate canter but Jasper had other ideas throwing his head up violently and tugging at the reins. “I’ll have to let him have his head otherwise he’s going to buck me off” she shouted as she flew past at top speed. Dora watched horrified as a pheasant suddenly shot out of the bushes and Jasper swerved violently and then bucked throwing Cathy heavily onto the hard ground.

“Oh Christ” Dora pulled her horse up beside her “are you O.K.?” Cathy was trying to stand up but fell to the ground with a scream as pain shot up her leg. “Lay still” ordered Dora unnecessarily as she fumbled in her pocket for her mobile and made a few quick phone calls. “Ambulance is on its way and Simon will be here very soon.” Dora crouched down and put her jacket around the shaking, white faced Cathy.

“I think my leg’s broken” she groaned and dug her nails into Dora’s hand so tight she drew blood.

After what seemed like an eternity Dora saw the ambulance and a Land Rover approaching “Thank god, won’t be long now.” She gritted her teeth as she peeled Cathy’s hand from hers and stood up waving madly as the vehicles bumping across the field.

**********************

Dora was busy making up feeds when Steve’s head appeared over the door. He had been asked to come back and help in the livery yard while Cathy was in hospital. “Need a hand?” he asked, smirking when he saw she had bran mash smeared on her nose and cheek. He wanted to gently wipe it off but thought better of it.

“Do I ever! Can you make a start dishing this lot out? I just want to check on Copper as he didn’t seem very well last night.”

Steve nodded and picked up two feed buckets as Dora walked round to the isolation box. Copper’s head wasn’t over the stable door looking for his breakfast and her stomach lurched. Please let him be alright she prayed. Entering the stable she could see at once things were definitely not right. He was lying motionless on the floor. Oh god she thought and put her hand on his cold neck. “Steve!” She cried “Steve come quickly!” He found her kneeling over Coppers still body. She turned an anguished face to him. “Oh Steve, he’s dead. Coppers dead!”

He gently pulled her up and took her into his arms where she sobbed uncontrollably. “I’m so sorry Dora. Thank god you found him again and his last days were happy here.”

She nodded and pulled away from him. “I think I need to be alone for a while.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll go and get Simon and we’ll sort everything out with Copper.” As he watched her walk slowly out through the gate, shoulders slumped, he wanted to run after her and tell her how much he loved her, but the timing wasn’t right.

Dora walked to the lake and sat on the bank where she remembered a day long ago on her birthday sitting on a makeshift raft with Steve, Ron and Slugger. It had been one of the happiest days of her life when she had looked across the lake to see her Uncle waving and there had been a chestnut horse standing quietly beside him.

“My beautiful Copper” she murmured and tears rolled down her cheeks as she thought of the fun times she’d spent riding him. Dark clouds loomed across the valley and she shivered as a cold wind blew the first spots of rain on her face. Pulling her coat collar up she started to run and as the heavens opened she splashed through the yard, head down and careered headlong into Steve.

“Quick, in here,” He grabbed her arm and pulled her into the barn. Dora took off her coat, shook it then hung it on a hook, trying to avoid Steve’s gaze. She stood with her back to him.

“I’ve been remembering all those lovely rides you and I went on.” She spun round “Oh Steve!!!..... I can’t bear it!” They stared at one another awkwardly and Steve’s heart went out to her as he saw tears trickling down her cheeks. He slowly closed the gap between them and took her in his arms kissing the top of her head, then her cheeks and finally her lips.

“Stay with me tonight” she pleaded “I just need you to hold me and make the pain go away” He put his finger under her chin lifting it up and looked deep into her eyes. At that moment he knew that he never wanted to leave her side again.

**************************

“Oh I’m so fed up of being stuck in here and my leg is itching like mad!” Cathy was trying to poke a knitting needle down inside the plaster without much success.

“I hear the Doctor says you can come home next week” Simon smiled encouragingly. Dora, who was scribbling something on the plaster cast, started giggling like a schoolgirl.

“What’s she written? Honestly Dora I do hope it’s not rude, the doctor will be coming on his rounds soon!” Simon leaned over to read it and smiled. He looked pointedly at Dora and said “Steve’s been doing a great job helping out and I think he would be keen to stay on permanently.”

“That’s brilliant news” Cathy enthused. She sneaked a quick look at Dora who was trying to hide the fact she was blushing by pretending to re-tie her bootlace.

Visiting time over, Simon got up and leaned over to kiss her on the cheek then whispered in her ear “She wrote Dora 4 Steve inside a big heart. I think she’s got it bad!” Cathy burst out laughing.

“Shh! She’ll hear you” he nodded towards Dora who was waiting at the end of the ward for him.” She’s quite touchy at the moment. Don’t know what’s wrong with her.”

“She’s like a love sick teenager” Cathy replied but suddenly looked grim as she remarked “I hope Steve feels the same way, I’d hate for her to be hurt all over again.”

“I don’t think you need to worry too much on that score. They can’t keep their hands off each other.”

“That’s just lust! I want him to fall in love with her all over again and marry her.”

“Incurable romantic aren’t you” he said and gave her a hug. “But don’t go interfering, let them work it out for themselves o.k.?”

Cathy nodded but matchmaking thoughts were already going through her mind.

*************************

Steve had been living in the cottage with Dora for two months whilst Cathy had been in hospital and she was due to return in a few hours.

Dora stretched her arm over to switch off the alarm, rolled over and ran her finger down Steve’s spine then tweaked his bottom “Steve, wake up….mucking out time.”

He turned over and leered at her “I’m sure mucking out can wait five minutes!” then he pounced on her but she rolled away. “Come on you sex maniac there isn’t time. Cathy will be back in a few hours and you know what a bossy boots she is…she’ll be running her finger over the top of the stable doors looking for dust!”

Steve flung himself out of bed and walked over to the window. He still had a firm and muscled body which Dora was admiring but as he drew back the curtains she giggled and remarked “I think you’d better put some clothes on because if any ramblers come marching along that footpath you’ll be giving them a right eyeful!!”

Flexing his muscles he did a few poses but his only audience were a few sparrows squabbling in the bushes. As he pulled on his jeans he said “You know I’ll have to return to Scotland now.”

“I know” she said quietly.

“I promise I’ll be back once things are sorted out.”

“Yes” she said in a small voice and threw her clothes on quickly. She didn’t want to think about Steve going again, she didn’t want him to go at all but was unable to put her thoughts into words. They both got stuck into the daily routine of feeding and mucking out and a couple of hours passed so quickly they were surprised to see Simon pull into the yard then help Cathy get out of the car and onto her crutches.

“Hi you guys, it’s great to be back. Must say hello to the horses” Steve and Dora exchanged a knowing smile as they watched her hobble round looking into each box and then check the tack and feed rooms out. “Well, looks like you two have everything under control. I’m going to have a cup of tea. She looked at her watch. “It's tea break. Come and join me, I’m dying to know what’s been happening in my absence.”

As they settled themselves around the kitchen table Cathy said “Thanks so much for helping us out while I’ve been away Steve. We were wondering if you’d like to join us on a permanent basis.”

“It’s been my pleasure Cathy and yes I’d like nothing more” he looked at Dora but she was deliberately looking anywhere but at him.

“I hear you two have been pretty cosy in the cottage” she continued grinning.

Dora suddenly got up, her cheeks flaming “I must get on. Lot’s to do” and as she left the room almost at a run, Cathy watched her thoughtfully. Steve on the other hand was feeling rather baffled. She was acting most strangely. He thought she’d be pleased he was going to come back permanently. Women! And on that thought he too got up and left the room.

Cathy began to laugh. “What’s so funny?” asked Simon.

“Those two, that’s what. You know they were always like this back in the old follyfoot days, her flouncing out and him charging off slamming doors. I better go and see what’s wrong.”

She found Dora in the tack room furiously cleaning a saddle, rubbing it like her life depended on it. She put a hand on Dora’s shoulder “What’s wrong? I though you’d be so pleased about Steve…him coming back for good”

.”I am. More than anything but….” She threw the saddle soap down so hard it bounced off the bench and slid across the floor. She gave a deep sigh and shrugged her shoulders.

“But what? What could possibly be wrong?”

“Oh Cathy…. I’m pregnant!!!” She burst out. ”but I don’t know how Steve is going to react when he knows. He might not come back at all. How stupid of me to get caught out at my age, you’d think I was a silly teenager.”

“Oh Lord. I guessed it might be something like this.” Cathy thought for a moment then said “Do you want this baby?” Dora nodded and smiled.

“Then you must tell him before he goes back. And no time like the present” She nodded in the direction of Steve who was coming across the yard carrying buckets of water.

She tactfully hobbled off to the kitchen but stood behind the curtain peeping at them.

“Come away you sticky beak” said Simon sternly but found he was drawn to the window himself. They watched as Dora walked hesitantly towards Steve and say a few words then the next minute they saw him throw his arms up in the air with a shout, and as the buckets clattered to the ground water splashing all over them, he picked her up kissing and hugging her ecstatically.

Thank god breathed Cathy and smiled with relief as she watched them walk towards the cottage arm in arm, no doubt talking excitedly about their future plans.

The end

© Suzy 2008