PART 2
Dora's lifeless body lay on the ground all night, found by a distraught Slugger the next morning.
"There she was," he told the Colonel and Ron," Just lying there. Just lying there."
"Killed by the tree she loved", said Ron, fighting back the tears.
The hospital just phoned said the Colonel. There was nothing anyone could have done. Dora's parents are
coming over tomorrow. I've managed to get some staff to help us out for now, but I'm afraid we're going to have
to call it a day.
Next day Dora's parents agreed with the Colonel that Dora's ashes should be scattered around the lightning tree.
"It's what Dora would have wanted," said the Colonel sadly. "I've found homes for all the horses" he said to Ron
and Slugger," And also a local farm say they've jobs for you both if your interested".
They both nodded there appreciation, gloomily.
And so the ceremony was done around the lightning tree. No sooner had the ashes been scattered
when there was a loud shout and banging of the gate. It was Steve, running towards them.
"I've just heard what happened" he blurted out, then stopped in his tracks when he saw what was happening.
"Dora," he gasped, he could hardly speak. "Dora, I'm so sorry I left you, I should never have gone away".
"We'll leave you to say your goodbyes," said the Colonel, putting his hand gently on his shoulder.
They turned around and left. Steve, shaking uncontrollably, sank to his knees, he tried to speak,tears welled up
in his eyes, then ran down his cheeks, then fell upon Dora's ashes. As soon as they did so something amazing happened.
The sky suddenly turned dark, almost as dark as night. And then Steve heard a voice. The voice of someone
he knew.The voice of Dora.
"Steve", the voice said," I knew you'd come back. I knew you'd come back to me. We're going to be together".
Steve, shaking, looked around, but there was no-one there.
He looked up at the tree.
"We're going to be together", said Dora's voice. "Together forever".
Steves eyes bulged, then his tear stained face trembled, then he rocked back, then forward, then collapsed onto
the floor.
Back in the house, Slugger said "Blimey, its gone dark, looks like a storms on the way".
He looked through the window.
"Oh my gawd" he said, "Ron, quick, it's Steve."
They ran out to where Steve lay on the ground.
"I fink Steves ad a 'eart attack", said Slugger. "Dial 999 Ron, now".
Ron ran back to the house to phone for help.
To be continued..........