Rain was lashing down. Dora looked gloomily out of the window. She had hoped to leave Jeff with Vi for the morning while she helped Steve with schooling. Since Milly had gone away she had not spent as much time with the horses as she would have liked. Steve was towelling his wet hair before sitting down to breakfast. It was getting long again just the way Dora liked it. 'Do you know what day it is?' she asked.
'Friday.'
'Yes-and it's St. Swithin's day-you know what that means!'
'Superstitious nonsense!'
'Is it?' Steve shrugged knowing that she was remembering the time a few years back when it had rained solidly for days on end and he'd almost had to leave. He took her in his arms and gave her a hug. She couldn't resist the urge to push the damp tendrils of hair from his face and kiss him.
'Cheer up love- Milly and Bert will be back soon and we've got Teri's birthday to look forward to.' He picked Jeff up to join in the hug.
'Ron's not looking forward to the weekend. Liz and Shaun are coming to stay' said Dora putting out cereal bowls and adding bread to the toaster.
'Well at least they're staying in a hotel this time and not our Follyflat.'
'Shall we go and see if we can cheer uncle Ron up Jeff? Auntie Vi might be baking gingerbread men and perhaps she'll let you help!'
Jeff nodded happily. 'Uccle Won likes gingerbread!'
'And so does Jeff unless I'm very much mistaken' said Steve laughing. Dora was so pleased that he was back to the Steve she loved and had emerged from the black tunnel he'd walked since the accident.
Later when they were at the farmhouse enjoying sampling Vi's baking a white van pulled up outside. George went to see who it was and came back grinning. 'Special delivery for Mrs Stryker- bought her a special birthday present have you Ron?'
'Not that big!' He opened the door and came face to face with Teri's brother Daniel.
'Hello there Ron. My mate Trev. has driven me here with some things for the baby courtesy of the whole family and assembled by my mother.'
When the van door was opened and he looked inside Ron gasped:
'What the blazes am I supposed to do with that lot?'
Hearing Ron's raised voice Teri,who had been resting, came outside.
'Er-mum said there'd be some equipment for us.' she said.
Daniel and Trev had already begun unloading the van, Steve came outside.
'You can put it behind the carriage, there should be enough room there' he said going to help while Ron stood open mouthed. Cot, pram, buggy, carrycot, high chair, playpen, babywalker and boxes of toys were stowed away. Mercifully the rain had stopped because there were still cot sheets, blankets and bags of clothes to come.
'Bring them into the farmhouse, they can go in the boxroom for now' said Vi.
Teri saw the look on Ron's face and said
'When you've finished Dan bring your friend into the flat for a cuppa. Ron's had his already.'
Vi gave her a plate of scones. After they'd all gone back indoors Ron stood leaning against the lightning tree smoking a cigarette until the rain started again and forced him to take shelter in the farmhouse.
'That'll save you a pretty penny, Ron' said George.
'Yeah!'
'What is it Ron?' asked Dora.
'Why must Liz interfere so much?. We hadn't got round to doing anything about buying stuff because Teri said it was unlucky. I was looking forward to choosing the cot and pram together. Now what am I left with- a potty and nappies! Also I now have to put up with Liz and Shaun for nearly two weeks buying goodness knows what else and making me feel totally inadequate as usual!'
The black rain clouds seemed to have settled over the usually good natured Ron and Dora felt she needed to offer some words of advice.
(To be continued later this evening hopefully.)