Present Day

Steve got off the bus at the Harrogate Road entrance to Follyfoot and crossed over the road to begin the walk down the driveway. It was three days before Christmas and there was snow everywhere. Tree boughs looked as though they were about to break under weight of snow on them. The drive seemed some what more overgrown than he had remembered it but, in all, he knew it to be unchanged. As the Follyfoot buildings came into view, Steve’s heart began to flutter and he suddenly became very nervous. He had been very indecisive about accepting Dora’s invitation, which came completely out of the blue, but had decided to go because he had felt it might be his last chance ever to see Dora and to try to mend bridges. There were so many things left unsaid between them .

Steve walked around the final bend and stood between the farm house and stable yard. Despite the snow, he could see that nothing had changed. It was exactly as he had remembered it, even down to the blue paint on the woodwork. He looked up to where his old stable room was, and was surprised to see a pair of curtains there neatly pulled to each side of the window. The moment of truth arrived . Steve approached the farmhouse door, took a deep breathe and knocked loudly on the door. He waited. He knocked again. A minute or so later the door opened and there, completely filling the height of the frame was Hazel. This Steve had not expected but, in truth, he had not known what to expect. Hazel’s face gave way to a huge smile as she saw Steve and she went straight up to him and gave him a huge hug. Steve reciprocated. For her age-late forties-Hazel was tall and slim, with long brown hair, and still a very attractive woman.

“Oh Steve, it's so good to see you. You must be frozen. Come in and get warm. How are you. You know, you haven’t changed a bit!” said Hazel. The years had been kind to Steve, as well as Hazel.

“Good to see you too, girl! I’m okay. I thought Dora might have answered the door. You fair took me by surprise alright, Hazel,” replied Steve.

Hazel beckoned Steve to come in and sit down to get warm. He wiped his feet on the muddy doormat and sat down at the kitchen table. Steve was amazed to see everything the way it was thirty odd years ago. No decorating or licks of paint. Still a range. No modern cooker. Just the same as it always was but nevertheless clean.

“If you’ll just sit down a minute I’ll make us some coffee and then we’ll go to the Colonel’s retreat, as Dora still calls it. There’s a huge fire blazing in there. Two spoonfuls of sugar, isn't it? ” said Hazel cheerily.

“It most certainly still is,” replied Steve. Steve was quietly relieved that Dora was apparently not around, not because he didn’t want to see her, but he was afraid of losing his composure and his true feelings coming to the surface. Steve had learned a long time ago to bury his feelings deep down, and he knew that Dora was the only one capable of getting too his soul. However, he knew this breathing space would not be for long.

Once comfortably seated, Steve sipped his coffee and felt his initial nerves subside.

“Where’s Dora?” asked Steve.

“Oh, she’s just having a nap. She’ll be down shortly. She’s exhausted after doing all the Christmas shopping yesterday!” replied Hazel. “In fact, I’ll make her some coffee now and take it up to her. She may be awake and be putting her war paint on ! Please excuse me for a moment, Steve,” she continued.

Within half a minute Hazel rushed up to Dora’s bedroom with a mug of hot coffee. Once in the bedroom, Hazel could see Dora sat very nervously at the edge of her bed. Dora asked, “What’s he like, Hazel? Grumpy, sullen, bald, fat, bad tempered. Hazel its been so long. I don’t know what to expect. Has he changed much? Is it still... Steve?”

“Dora. Dora. Please be quiet. Take your coffee, have a sip, and calm down. Yes, it's still Steve. Older, a bit grey, but quiet and calm and still very good looking, I have to say! He isn’t half bad, for his age. He’s as nervous about meeting you as you're are about meeting him! Just calm down. There’s no anger in him, Dora. He really wants to see you” said Hazel reassuringly, “just finish your coffee and come down to see him. Don’t you know it's rude to ignore your guests!” finished Hazel.

Dora quickly finished her coffee, “ Okay. I’m ready. Do I look alright?”, asked Dora

“Fine, now come on,” said Hazel

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Dora and Hazel walked down the stairs and into the Colonel’s retreat. Dora and Steve looked at each other, neither knowing what to say. Both saw the fire in each other’s eyes and knew instantly that they still felt very strongly for each other, and were scared by the intensity of the feelings they were experiencing.

Hazel broke the silence. “You two are the limit. Not seen or spoken to each other in over thirty years, and all you can do is stare at each other?”

Steve then got off his chair and went over to Dora and attempted to shake Dora’s hand. At that point Dora just got hold of Steve and gave him a tremendous hug. Steve too then just held onto Dora. Neither spoke. They just held each other for what seemed to be an eternity. Dora began to tremble and cry. She had not shed so many tears since Slugger and the Colonel had passed away.

Steve sensed that Dora was crying and gently lifted her head off his shoulder . He looked her in the eye and gently wiped away her tears. He had also noted how thin Dora was, something which was disguised by her clothing. However, her hair was still the same but had a few grey streaks running through it. She was still very pretty, despite being nearly sixty.

“Hello Dora. It's so... bloody good to see you again. Thanks for asking me to stay with you over Christmas. Oh Dora, I can’t find the words to say how glad I am to see you. I should never have left - that stupid pride I used to have has a lot to answer for. How can I have not seen you for so long? Where have all the years gone? I’m so sorry , I...”

Steve was beginning to ramble. Dora had stopped crying now and put a finger to Steve’s lips and said “ Shhh. It's alright. Today is day one. Let's just take it easy, catch up on each others news and get to know each other again. Friends are friends, no matter how long it is since they last saw each other, and even if they have silly disagreements” said Dora. But the both of them knew that they were much more to each other than just friends, and their last disagreement was anything but silly.

“I’ll go and prepare dinner. I think that you two need some time alone” said Hazel.

Dora began... “it's alright, Hazel, I’ll come and he...”

“No . You and Steve have some time together. You’ve both waited long enough. I’ll cook dinner. It's grilled chicken. I hope that's okay Steve? ” said Hazel.

“No stew then?” remarked Steve with a cheeky glint in his eye.

“Well blow me over an’ call me Slugger!!” chirped Hazel

“Stew has been banned here for quite some time. That’s one of the very few changes which have occurred here” said Dora with a bit of a grin on her face. Hazel left the room before Dora could say anything more.

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Whilst Hazel worked in the kitchen, Steve and Dora reminisced about the old days, the Colonel, Slugger, Ron, Callie. They were also very surprised to find out about each other, that neither of them had married. However, and Steve especially, they had avoided the issue at the root of the pain both had felt over the last thirty odd years. That is, until Dora decided to come out with it.

“Steve, why did you leave Follyfoot? Especially without saying anything. You just went. You hurt me so much, you know. We could have smoothed things over, sorted out what was bothering us. I didn’t really mean it when I told you to go,” said Dora in a very gentle but, very emotionally charged tone.

Steve gazed into the fire in deep thought at Dora’s question. He knew it had to come at some point. He had never been capable of lying to Dora, and had no intentions of trying to now. He answered from the heart.

“I took you at your word, girl. I was young, proud, opinionated and very, very stupid. I left in pure temper. No logic behind it. I’d calmed down by the next day, and wanted to come back, but was frightened of you rejecting me, especially in front of Ron and Hazel. So I put it off until the next day, and then the next. Then I was running out of money and had to find work quickly. I found a job at that animal sanctuary in Somerset, and stayed there ever since. I loved the work. But getting back to your question, Dora, as I said earlier, one day blended into the next, one month into the next and before I knew it over thirty years had passed. So I’m here and now, a lot older and, hopefully, wiser. Dora, I’ve missed you terribly. Its like there’s been a permanent void in my life, and now I’m here with you I know what it is... its been not having you in my life...” Steve hesitated. His feelings were raw, and getting the better of him. He felt vulnerable, afraid and exposed, a situation he was not used to. He composed himself, but still ached to tell Dora exactly how he had always felt about her.

Steve continued, “Dora, why did you invite me here to stay, especially over Christmas and New Year? After all this time, I thought you would have completely forgotten about me. But you always wrote to me. I’m so glad that I wrote that first letter all those years ago.”

Dora had been listening to Steve very intently. She was close to tears. She replied “ I invited you because I wanted to see my friend again. Someone dear, who I thought I had lost forever. I want my soul mate back...” Dora suddenly went silent. She hadn’t intended to reveal so much, so quickly. But she remembered suddenly what was wrong with her, and that now was not the time hold back anymore. Steve looked at Dora quizzically, somewhat puzzled. Could it be that she had felt the same about him for all these years, but had been to afraid to say anything?

Dora looked Steve straight in the eyes, “Steve, I thought you realised, even back then, that I love you. Always have and always will, I suppose. That’s why I’ve never married. Oh yes, there’s been no end of admirers and suitors, but none compared you, Steve. You are my first and only love, and I feel so much better for telling you how I’ve always truly felt about you”

Suddenly a wave of a crushing, excruciating pain hit Dora. She broke out in a cold sweat . The pain in her stomach was the worst she had known . She wanted to bend double, to try to ease the pain, but she dared not. She fought to keep herself together. She managed it this time. She quickly said to Steve, “top drawer, over there. Medicine box. Please, will you get it for me”

Steve leapt to his feet and found what Dora had asked for. All the emotion and inner turmoil she had been feeling had been a drain on her strength; the breakthrough pain was fast becoming unbearable. Dora continued, “Steve , would you mind leaving the room for minute or two. See if Hazel needs any help. Be a love, please. I’m a bit funny about anyone seeing me take a medicine, you know. I’ve just got an irritable bowel, and it gets painful every now and then. Please don’t mention it to Hazel. She’ll only worry her socks off.

“Sure, Dora, but do you need any help? Shall I call the doctor? You look to be in dreadful pain” said Steve, who now felt somewhat worried himself.

“No” Dora said rather perfunctorily.

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Steve went into the kitchen. Immediately, after he had left the room, Dora hurriedly topped up her analgesic medication, but her hands were trembling whilst she did it. That was a very close call for poor Dora. Meanwhile, Steve was making polite conversation with Hazel. He asked her why she had stayed at Follyfoot. Hazel said that Dora had been so kind to her, and ultimately had given her a home, the only home she had truly known. Hazel had always felt safe, and wanted, at Follyfoot and it was a feeling that she didn’t want to lose. And there were the horses. Dora and the horses were her family now, and she would do anything to protect them.

Hazel then asked Steve why he had left Dora alone in the other room. Steve replied, “Oh I forgot, Dora asked me to find out how long dinner would be. She wants to show me around, even in the snow. That’s all.”

Hazel replied, “it’ll be around 45 minutes yet, so have your tour if you wish, or you both could leave it until tomorrow when there’s proper daylight”

“Okay,” said Steve, and with that he returned to Dora, who by now had replenished her medication and regained her composure. However, she was exhausted and was starting to nod off in her chair. Steve sat opposite her and he felt less worried now because Dora looked relaxed and comfortable.. He didn’t disturb her but put some more coal on the fire as quietly as he could, then sat down and watched her sleep. His mind raced as he went over what Dora had said to him. He knew that he had always felt the same about Dora as she , now that she had told him, had felt about him. Steve hadn’t had the nerve, to say anything about his feelings, before Dora had summoned up the courage to admit her feelings for him. Dora had always listened to her heart and Steve now realised that he had denied his and, with that realisation, felt wretched for all those wasted years of loneliness.

Dora awoke slowly a few moments later to see Steve deep in thought. She began, “hello Steve. Sorry for nodding off like, that but that cramp made me so tired. I’m alright now….”

“Good grief girl, you had me worried there. Are you sure you’re okay?” said Steve.

“Yes I am”, said Dora quietly. She still had pain, but it was bearable.

“Dora,” said Steve, “what you said earlier on. Did you truly mean it?”

“Of course I did ,” replied Dora, “ I want to be at peace with you and be with you; too many years have been lost through both our silly prides”

Steve continued. “Then I’ve something to admit to you. You have always been the love of my life too. I think I loved you from the first moment I ever saw you, remember, in that fiasco with the night riders? I used to get so jealous if another bloke so much as looked at you, and that found expression in my foul temper and cruel words. I didn’t have the guts to admit to you how I felt back then. Being here, with you now, and at Christmas especially, has rammed home to me how empty my life has been without you. Dora, I do love you so very, very much.” They both embraced each other tenderly, kissing for the first time. Words cannot describe what Dora and Steve were feeling at their first kiss.

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Hazel shouted from the kitchen that dinner was ready. Dora and Steve came into the kitchen with Dora looking somewhat flushed. They took their places at the table and then Hazel served the meal. Steve could see that Hazel was an excellent cook, and it wasn’t long before he was asking for seconds. For her part, Dora ate an unusually large amount. The conversation centered on nostalgia and collective expression of a wish to a return to the times when the Colonel was still in charge. However, all were united in the fact that they did not want a re-run of Slugger’s cuisine!

Steve remarked, “his stews were legendary. I’d even heard people comment on it in the village!. That must have been down to Ron, when he bought his stomach medicines!”

“Oh Steve, he did his best” said Dora in Slugger’s defense

“Yes I know, but do you remember how many saucepans he used to get through? It averaged about six or seven per year. The stew just corroded them!” said Steve. He continued. “Do any of you know what’s happened to Ron? It would be good to see him again.”

“He’s a big shot businessman in London. He writes or phones once usually every five or so years. I’ve got a contact number for him if you want. I’ll just get the address book,” said Dora. Steve made a note of the number on the back of his hand.

After dinner everyone went back into the Colonel’s retreat, where reminiscences continued and eventually became very tipsy after a few brandies . There was a lot of laughter and it became obvious to Hazel, who said nothing about it, that Dora and Steve were in love, still. A couple of hours passed and everyone decided that they were tired . Dora and Steve made plans to go riding the next day, as well as a grand tour of Follyfoot for Steve. Hazel showed Steve to the bedroom which was prepared for him. He got into bed and fell asleep almost instantly. After tidying up in the kitchen Dora and Hazel retired for the night. Dora was absolutely exhausted and she fell asleep in her bed instantly. Hazel returned to her flat above the main stable.

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The next day Steve awoke very early . He could hear voices downstairs so he dressed quickly and went down to the kitchen to see Dora and Hazel enjoying a cup of coffee. Dora had just finished her usual task of saying “ good morning” to all the horses. She and Hazel were trying to decide whether it was safe enough to go out for a ride, weather wise. However, with Steve appearing in the kitchen Dora decided that a ride was most definitely on. Steve did not disagree. Hazel then told Dora not to get too cold and tired. She had noticed that Dora had not been her usual self in recent weeks, and was becoming increasingly concerned about her, but every time that Hazel asked if all was well, Dora had insisted that it was, and that there was nothing to worry about.

Steve had some breakfast and then got ready to go out with Dora. Initially, Dora took Steve on a grand tour of Follyfoot. She needn’t have bothered really, because virtually nothing had changed to Steve’s eye, except for Hazel’s flat which was where his old room used to be. Afterwards, when the horses had been saddled up, off they went on their ride. Dora took Steve to all the old familiar places, most of which were still recognisable to him, and what a trip down memory lane they both had. The day passed in no time at all, and before they knew it, it was sunset at which point they headed back to Follyfoot. They arrived back shattered and very hungry, but Hazel had a hot meal ready for them and the kitchen fire was blazing.

The remaining days, leading up to Christmas, were idyllic for Steve and Dora. They talked and talked and in the process were becoming increasingly intimate. Steve was constantly shocked at the intensity of his emotions, especially when Dora told him that she had never felt so happy, for as long as she could remember. On Christmas Eve Hazel, Dora and Steve went to the midnight mass at the village church. Once back at Follyfoot sherry, mince pies and quite a few brandies were consumed, not to mention some mulled wine. Everyone felt happy and content. No one at Follyfoot could have wished for a better start to Christmas. That night, Steve and Dora shared the same bed, something, they agreed, should have happened a very long time ago.

Dora awoke on Christmas morning in Steve’s arms. Her toes were curling at how beautiful this felt for her. Steve was still asleep but Dora couldn’t contain herself any longer. She gently awoke Steve and whispered, “ Merry Christmas, my love” in his ear.

Steve replied, “and a very merry Christmas to you , my beautiful Dora.”

Dora continued. “Ever since I’ve known you, I’ve wondered how it would feel to wake up with you, in your arms, and especially on Christmas morning. Now I know. It's so wonderful. I love you so.”

Steve couldn’t help but mirror Dora’s words and feelings. Dora could see in Steve’s eyes that he loved her, and that he was completely lost for words. They exchanged gifts. Steve had bought Dora a delicate gold necklace, and Dora had got Steve a wrist watch. She had noticed that he didn’t possess one, and it had always amazed her that he always knew the time. After another hour or so, both Steve and Dora dressed and went down into the kitchen. Hazel was there preparing a Slugger Special Christmas morning breakfast ( 'cos eggs is a proper breakfast eggs is!!) .

“A very merry Christmas to you Hazel, and thanks for getting breakfast going!” said Dora whereupon she walked over to Hazel and gave her a present .

“Yes, and also from me, a very merry Christmas !” said Steve.

Dora continued. “This present is from myself and Steve. We hope you like it.” Unbeknown to Steve, Dora had bought a very delicate eternity ring for Hazel who was thrilled with it. She replied. “Oh thanks! I’ve always wanted one of these. Its beautiful ! From both of you, eh? Well, there’s a turn up!” Dora and Steve looked at each other and blushed a little.

“Oh stop it you two! I’m only teasing. If you’re together at last, then its not before time. Be happy! I got both of you a present each. They’re over there, on the dresser. I hope you like them,” said Hazel. She had bought them matching roll neck pullovers.

Steve quietly thanked Dora, for including him in Hazel’s present. Both of them thanked Hazel for theirs.

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The rest of Christmas Day whizzed by in a flurry of phone calls from friends, including Ron, more friends dropping by, making sure the horses were alright, eating Christmas dinner and then sleeping it off. Before they knew it, Steve and Dora were asleep in bed utterly exhausted by the end of the day. It had been one of the best Christmas days either of them had known. The remainder of the Christmas week flew by for Steve and Dora. It had been an idyllic time for them. Steve knew that the time was fast approaching, when he would have to leave Follyfoot and return to his own bleak world . He didn’t want go. He was growing increasingly sad inside. He had never thought that his visit would turn out the way it had. Now he had found Dora again, the only person he had ever truly loved, he was almost beside himself with the notion of having to be apart from her. Neither Steve nor Dora mentioned Steve having to leave, until the end of the party on New Year’s Eve at the local pub. On the way back to Follyfoot Dora decided once again to take a big gamble. There was a big difference between having a few close intimate days, and then deciding you want to spend the rest of your time with someone, although Dora knew that that was what she had always wanted. She needed to know if Steve felt the same. She bit the bullet.

“Steve, you know I love you. I do, so much. I can’t find the words. Its taken all of our lives to find each other. Please, please stay with me, for always. I couldn’t bear it if you leave now. Stay with me, at Follyfoot . We’ll have a wonderful time. There’s so much yet to be done. Lets not waste the rest of our lives wondering what might have been”, said Dora in an almost pleading tone. Steve remembered how his pride, of years ago, had got in the way of him achieving true happiness. Now he didn’t care how Follyfoot was run. He was glad and grateful that Follyfoot was Follyfoot, and that Dora was there still. Steve knew it was right for him to stay, that it was the obvious thing to do. If Dora hadn’t beaten him to it, he was going to put the same thing to her.

After a few moments Steve replied, “Dora, I’d be honoured to stay with you. I was going to ask you myself, but you beat me to it. I’d love to stay. I need to stay. I need you and to be with you. Dora, I love you so much. Will you...marry me?”. Steve gulped in disbelief at what he had just said.

He needn’t have worried. Dora replied, “Steve, I thought you’d never ask. Of course I’ll marry you”. They were still busy talking, making plans for the future, when they arrived back at Follyfoot completely exhausted. Hazel was still out partying. They went straight to bed . They had decided that Steve should return briefly to Somerset, after New Year’s day, to gather his belongings and also for him to give in his notice at the animal sanctuary.

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Steve was woken in the early hours by Dora’s restlessness. He put his arm around her and that seemed to calm her. She gripped his hand tightly. Eventually, Steve drifted off to sleep again only to awoken a short time later, by Dora talking in her sleep. He thought he was seeing things, but he noticed a flickering light, about the size of a small ball and like the fragmented, glittering light from a crystal prism, moving along the top of the bedroom wall towards them. Steve rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn’t seeing things, but the light was still there. The light positioned itself above Dora’s head , still at the top of the wall. Steve was about to wake Dora to show her when she began to speak again, this time quite clearly.

“Hello Slugs…where …you been. Missed you. You alright?” muttered Dora. A bemused Steve just listened, and watched.

“I’m okay….he’s with me now…after all this time, Slugs,….you said he’d come to me…my Steve….my beautiful Steve,” Dora continued.

“Uncle’s there to?….Do I have to?…So happy now,” and with those final words, Dora drew her last breath and passed away. The light vanished. Steve was still tired and thought that Dora had gone back to sleep. He hadn’t noticed that she'd stopped breathing. An hour later it was seven and Steve woke up fully. Dora was unmoving and silent, still held in his arms. Steve attempted to wake Dora gently, but got no response. He looked at her more closely and realised that she was not breathing. In that instant he almost died with shock.

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He got out of bed and looked at Dora, her eyes closed and utter contentment on her face. He touched her cheek and noticed that she was becoming cold to the touch. He felt a scream welling up inside him. Nothing came out. Steve was truly dumbstruck. He ran downstairs to the kitchen to find Hazel. She wasn’t there. He sat at the table . He ran upstairs again, to see if the last few moments had been a terrible nightmare and he would find Dora upstairs sat on the bed. He went into their bedroom and saw her lifeless body and realised that this was for real. Tears welled up in his eyes. He couldn’t believe that life could be this cruel, this heartless. His only chance of really loving someone, ruthlessly taken away. Steve heard the kitchen door open . He ran down stairs and Hazel was there. She was her usual cheery self and saw that Steve was ashen and shaking as he tried to speak. She went over to him straight away, took his hands and asked him what was the matter.

“Hazel, oh, Hazel. Its Dora. She’s gone! She died in the night, in my arms! I didn’t even notice till this morning. How could I have missed it if she was in distress. Oh Lord, what I am going to do without her. She's my life. I can’t go on without her,” cried Steve, heartbroken, tears rolling down his face. Hazel ran upstairs and saw that Dora was indeed dead. She came down but seemed calm, it was her way of dealing with such things.

“Steve”, said Hazel, “I’ve got to call the doctor and an ambulance. Do you understand? She may not be dead but in a coma, who knows.”

Steve nodded as Hazel made the necessary phone calls. The paramedics and a doctor arrived, who confirmed that Dora was dead and had been so for a few hours now. The doctor explained that her body had to be taken back to the hospital, for a post-mortem to be done, since Dora’s passing was unexpected as far as he was concerned. An hour or so later the police turned up and interviewed Steve, with respect to what had occurred. Steve was just monosyllabic throughout this and was clearly in shock, he was still shaking. The police left and then it was just him, Hazel and the horses left at Follyfoot. The quietness was deafening, especially after all the Christmas festivities. Neither Steve nor Hazel could take in what had happened. Hazel brought out two bottles of whiskey.

“Steve”, said Hazel, “I think we both need a shot of this” and with that she gave Steve a large tumbler full of whiskey, before pouring one for herself. Steve wasn’t a heavy drinker, but he drank the whole lot down in one gulp and asked for more. Hazel burst into tears a few moments later. This was the last thing in the world that she expected, and at Christmas too. Steve went over and tried to comfort her, but to no avail. Eventually a complete bottle of whiskey had been consumed and Steve had drifted into an uneasy sleep on his chair. Both were in too much shock to attempt even the most mundane of tasks. Hazel had started on the second bottle, when there was a knock at the kitchen door. It was the village doctor, who promptly came in and sat down. He began.

“The local hospital has been in touch with me, about poor Dora. They wanted to know if I had any information which may help them determine the cause of death. You won’t know this, but Dora has been under the care of a Dr. Morgan for some time, an oncologist. You see Dora had cancer, albeit a fairly non aggressive one. She was expected to survive for years yet. It was thought things were under control. I’m so sorry. She had asked me to tell you about her condition, should the worst happen, because you two are the closest thing she had to a family. Steve, she had put so much hope on you coming to see her this Christmas. I’ll be in touch the day after tomorrow when we’ll know for sure what has happened. Also Dora had asked me to notify her solicitors so I’ll take care of that as well. If there’s anything you need just call.” With that the doctor left.

Steve and Hazel just stared at each other in disbelief at what they had just been told. Hazel refilled her tumbler and started trying to busy herself with menial tasks. Steve also took more whiskey, put on his coat and then wandering aimlessly around Follyfoot. He wondered what would become of Follyfoot now, and especially what would become of Hazel. He, at least, had some kind of life to go back to, although now it was going to be a damn miserable one. Steve had been told by the police that he had to remain at Follyfoot, until the cause of Dora’s death had been determined.

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The next couple of days were passed in an alcoholic mist for both Steve and Hazel. At least the drink numbed their feelings to a slightly more bearable level. Steve slept in the room opposite to Dora’s. He couldn’t bring himself to go back into her bedroom. The enormity of their loss would not be truly felt for some time yet. Steve and Hazel managed to keep things going at Follyfoot; they knew they had to, for Dora’s sake.

On January fourth, the doctor and Dora’s solicitor both arrived at Follyfoot. Steve and Hazel were apprehensive and yet relieved to see them, that some progress was being made. They all sat down in the kitchen.

“I think it right, that you should both know that Dora’s passing was due to complications from her cancer. Since her last checkup, three months ago, when we thought she was in remission, a secondary tumour had appeared on her liver. We are quite certain that this contributed to her having a massive stroke. For this to have happened was completely unexpected and an extremely rare outcome. She must had a lot of pain for the last couple of weeks, but she said nothing to me. If you have any further questions please call me. I’ll do what I can to help. Sorry, but I have to go now. Mr Brown, Dora’s solicitor, has something he needs to discuss with you both. Goodbye for now,” said the doctor.

Mr Brown began. “Hello Hazel. We’ve met before .You must be Steve?”

“Yes, I am” replied Steve quietly.

Mr Brown continued. “I have to say, I’m so sorry for your loss. Miss Maddocks was a true lady, and was very highly respected and well thought of. I know it's not usual, to make known to beneficiaries what the contents of a will are in an informal chat, but Miss Maddocks, Dora, had asked for me to do so. She was especially concerned, that all who had come to depend on Follyfoot, could still do so after she had gone. The fine details will be made known to you when her will is officially read at my office. None of us expected her to go so soon, and so young, but she had taken the precaution of putting all her affairs into order. She had also made arrangements for her funeral, which will take place in three days time, at the local church. She will be buried alongside her Uncle and 'Slugger'. Please would you both come to my office in the village the day after the funeral, that is, Thursday. Here’s my business card, should need to get in touch before then.”

Steve and Hazel had been so completely fazed by events of the last few days, that when Mr Brown got up to leave they said nothing. They just remained seated in silence. The day for the funeral came and went. For both of them the funeral was harrowing. But their loss still hadn’t fully sunk in. It was as though Dora had just gone after another horse, and was taking longer than usual. They went to Mr Brown’s office the next day, for the official reading of Dora’s will.

Mr Brown welcomed them and arranged for them to have some coffee in his office. Once all were comfortable, he began with the business in hand.

“Hazel, Dora has left you your flat at Follyfoot to do with as you wish. However, it must not be increased in size. This is the only condition. You have also been left money in the sum of £1,000,000, also to do with as you wish. It was Dora’s wish that you be secure for the rest of your life, and to remain at Follyfoot if you wanted.” The solicitor paused and shuffled his papers before continuing.

“Steve. Are you prepared for a shock? Dora has left Follyfoot, and all the lands adjoining to you. Horses included. She has also left you the remainder of her monetary estate, which is to be used to run Follyfoot and also to support yourself. This sum amounts to £6,000,000. Dora knew that you would run Follyfoot the way it always has been, she trusts you completely. Follyfoot is yours to do with as you wish.” He cleared his throat, then spoke again.

“There is no need to worry about inheritance tax , although I suppose it hasn’t entered your heads. Dora made a deal with the inland revenue and paid them a hefty sum up front, which is somewhat unconventional, but they were happy with it.” Mr. Brown peered at the two people sitting dumbstruck in front of him.

“If you are both happy to accept these legacies, please sign in the appropriate places on these forms, and I shall see to the remaining formalities,” concluded Mr Brown.

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Steve and Hazel both signed in stunned silence. They returned to Follyfoot saying nothing to each other. They went into the farmhouse kitchen and sat down. Steve saw Dora’s riding jacket was lying on a chair, had been ever since they'd got back from their ride, just before Christmas. He picked it up. He could smell Dora’s perfume on it, he could also smell her. Steve just began to sob uncontrollably . He realised that his life had just imploded, and changed irrevocably. He'd been so happy with Dora for those few precious days. Looking forward to spending the rest of his days with the woman he loved. He was thinking now, how could he run Follyfoot without her. Everything there was a constant reminder of Dora. How could he carry on without her. Her spirit was in the very fabric of the place. But in the same instant, he knew that he had to carry on for Dora’s sake, that she would be expecting him to carry on . She had put her trust in him, by bequeathing Follyfoot into his care, and he would not let her down.

Steve finished off the dregs of his glass and told Hazel he was going to bed. It was getting quite late now, and both of them were extremely tired. Hazel just drifted off to her flat, still shell shocked. The next day dawned. Steve woke early, got dressed and went over to the stables.

He gave the horses their feed and said “good morning” to each. He felt a warmth around him, felt that Dora was with him, and that she hadn’t abandoned him.

Afterwards, Steve got a bucket of water for the Lightening tree. He poured water on the roots.

He sat down on the ground near the tree and just cried.

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T J Benson Copyright November 2007