PART 3
Three Months Later
The doctor arrived on time. There was no one at the farm, just an old grey haired man wearing a flat cap
leaning on the gate.
"Anyone at home?" asked the Doctor. "I've called to see if they all took my advice."
"No one here " said the old man.
"Where's Dora?" asked the Doctor.
"Oh she tried to kick the drinking and smoking habit" came the reply," But after a few days she realised she
was too addicted. She's living in a flat in Leeds above a pub. So she's got brandy and fags on tap for breakfast,
dinner, tea and supper."
"Oh no" said the Doctor,"Thats not what I wanted, I wanted to cure her."
"What about Ron?"
"Oh he tried to slow down", said the old man," But then became a nervous wreck. He needs something to do you
see, he's a workaholic."
"Where is he now?" asked the Doctor.
"He still works here in the day, but now he's got a job working down the pit on regular nights as well."
"Oh no" said the Doctor," Thats not what I wanted, that'll kill him."
"What about Slugger?"
"Well he went back to the gym to tell his manager he was quitting. Soon as he saw the other boxers sparring
he realised it was in his blood, he couldn't stop. He had 4 fights last month, won them all. Next month he's
boxing Henry Cooper for the British Heavyweight Title."
"Oh no", said the Doctor, "He'll never survive at his age. It's all gone wrong, I wanted them to become just the opposite
of what they were, not to stay the same. I wanted that Harley Street job. What about the Colonel?"
"Ah, now, there's a bit of good news there."
"Oh wonderful, what is it?" said the Doctor.
"Well, the Colonels stopped all his late night partying and got married."
"Thats great news" said the Doctor.
"To seven different women" replied the old man.
"What!! He can't do that," said the Doctor," Thats Bigamy."
"Well", said the old man, "He decided if he couldn't carry on partying, at least this way he could have a different woman
every night of the week."
"Oh no" ,replied the Doctor"I've ruined everything, no chance of that job now."
"Don't you want to know about Steve, that good looking, intelligent , charming witty young man.?"
"Er, oh yes, whats he doing?"
The old man raised his arm up and took of his cap. Then he grabbed his grey hair and lifted it off.
It was a wig. There was dark hair underneath.
Then he tore the lifelike mask of his face.
It was Steve.
"Steve", stuttered the Doctor, "It's you, whats going on?"
"Just our little joke Doc," replied Steve.
"Dora", he shouted.
Dora came out of the house smiling. "I've stopped all the drinking and smoking" she said. "I'm putting all my energy
into the farm. I feel great."
"Thats wonderful" said the Doctor.
Then the Colonel rode up to them, looking 20 years younger.
"I'm acting my age now" he said, "Given my old lifestyle up. I'm busy helping Dora on the farm now."
"Oh marvellous" said the Doc.
"And I'm working really hard", said Steve "You were right Doc, the backs been no problem since."
"Thats fantastic", replied the Doctor. "And what about Ron and Slugger?"
Steve pointed to the barn, they were both sprawled out on the hay, relaxing.
"This is great", said Ron, "And I'm under Doctors orders, I love it".
"Me too" said Slugger, "No more boxing for me."
"I can't believe it" said the Doctor, "You're all just the opposite to what you were, I've succeeded. I'll get that
Harley Street job. I'm just going into the house to complete the paperwork."
Outside Steve and Dora were facing each other.
Their eyes met.
Dora looked lovingly at Steve and smiled.
"Steve", she said "I have to tell you I have feelings for you."
Steve looked down at the ground for a few seconds, then looked back up at Dora.
"I'm sorry Dora", he said, but I'm just the opposite. I don't have the same feelings for you. I'm so sorry."
"Me too," said Dora, as tears rolled down her cheeks.
Steve couldn't look at Dora. He had to turn away.
He walked over to the gate and grasped it firmly with both hands, looking at the ground.
He could hear Dora sobbing.
Steve was upset too.
Just then the Doctor came out of the house waving his paperwork in the air, oblivious as to what was happening
in the yard.
"Thats it" he said,"All done, everybody's been sorted out, everybody's happy. What a wonderful day, everythings
perfect, just perfect."
And he got in his car and drove off, passing the two sad, distraught figures of Dora at one end of the yard,
and Steve at the other end, both in tears.
THE END