Bert decided that as the wedding was now only three days away he and Kathy might as well travel to Yorkshire the next day and take Slugger with them. He knew Leeds quite well and booked rooms at the same hotel Slugger and Milly had stayed in thinking it was time he had a few days holiday. He phoned Steve and told him he'd decided that he was driving Slugger all the way home but kept the rest to himself. When he told Kathy his plan she was delighted at the thought of new shops to visit and said they must swear Slugger to secrecy so Milly would get a big surprise on her wedding day.
Before leaving the next day Bert put up a notice 'closed for holidays until February 16th' then he went to the bank as Kathy had come back with very little of his money.
'Well- I had to buy a wedding present didn't I?' she said. The present was safely in the boot but Kathy refused to tell Bert what was in the parcel. 'You'll find out soon enough.' The look on her face when she said it made Bert anxious and he hoped she was not up to any mischief. No, he thought even Kathy wouldn't stoop that low.
Slugger agreed to keep quiet about the extra wedding guests. Bert dropped Kathy and the luggage off at the hotel then drove to the farmhouse. Ron was there with Hazel who asked Bert if he would like something to eat. 'No thanks, I have to catch up with someone in Leeds.' he said truthfully. Slugger was soon tucking into a bowl of homemade leek and potato soup. 'Cor that tastes good gel, they only let me have a salad fer me tea last night and breakfast was lumpy porridge, toast and marmalade. I said to them where's me eggs and bacon cos eggs is a proper breakfast and they said you can't eat that with one hand and we don't have time ter cut it up fer yer. '
Hazel rang the bungalow and soon Steve drove over with Milly, Dora and Jeff. Dora would have enveloped Slugger in a hug but Steve held her back so that Milly could claim the privilege first. 'Ee luv it's good t'ave you home.'
'Good to be here luv but I dunno quite how I'm gonna manage.'
'Ron's staying here for as long as you need him Slugs' said Dora claiming her hug at last.
'Come on you two' said Steve to Ron and Hazel, 'Let's get the horses seen to.'
Dora felt like a gooseberry as Milly and Slugger sat side by side Slugger's good arm round her talking quietly together so she took Jeff outside to see the donkeys. The others were laughing as they went about their chores and whilst she was glad that yesterday's disagreement between Ron and Steve had been put aside she felt a little left out.She had suffered a little from 'baby blues' but thought it was all behind her. Now,however, a wave of sadness swept over her. Uncle Geoff was no longer there to lean on, Slugger was about to belong to another woman, even her own father was overseas. She buried her head in Jeff's blanket which she'd wrapped round him to keep the cold out and a few tears slipped down her face. 'Hey girl, what's up?' said Steve gently enfolding her and Jeff in his arms. 'Oh I'm just feeling a bit left out and sorry for myself.' 'Let me take Jeff and you go talk to Copper-go for a ride if you want.' Ron had overheard. 'Why don't I take care of Jeff so you can both go- don't be long though. I'm not very good with nappies and I don't think Milly or Slugs'll be much help.'
Oh Ron- thanks! He doesn't need a bottle yet.' She handed Jeff over, kissed Ron on the cheek and took Steve's outstretched hand now realising how lucky she was to have a loving husband, a beautiful son and a wonderful friend in Ron. Soon she and Steve were riding out together as they had done so many times before.
'Penny for them' said Bert as he sat in Kathy's room drinking a pre-dinner sherry while she sat smiling a secret smile to herself as she paused in applying fresh make up.'
'My thoughts are absolutely priceless Bert love. I'm really looking forward to this wedding now. I'm gonna knock em dead in my new outfit, my brother in law to be won't know what's hit him!' 'Look Kathy....' She put her finger on Bert's lips.
'Hush- go get changed and I'll see you in the dining room in 10 minutes.'
When he'd gone she picked up the local telephone directory she'd asked for while Bert was at the farm, searched through it then asked for an external line.