PART 2
Next day Fred came to pick Adam up.
"Couldn't find anything wrong with him" said Dora," We had an expert to look at him and he got the
all-clear."
"More than can be said for the Colonel" said Steve, "A doctor came to see him yesterday, strange man,
every sentence he spoke was in a different volume." "Bit like your radio Slugs" said Ron. "It works
intermittantly." "Bit like you then Ron" Slugger replied. "'Cept I don't think you've ever been on full
volume."
Fred took Adam back home. Dora went to see the Colonel.
"Uncle, are you alright?" she asked," Steve says a Doctor Stone came to see you. Are you ill?."
"Good Lord no" replied the Colonel, "Sidney, Doctor Stone, was the chap I called in to see Steve about
his deafness. Apparently his nickname's" Stone Deaf" at the clinic" he chuckled.
"But it wasn't Steve, it was Fred's horse Adam that I thought had a hearing problem" replied Dora.
"Well I never" said the Colonel, still laughing over his little joke, "Bit of a Faux Pas there."
"Who's got a new car" said Slugger. "Don't you start" said Dora, "Got enough with hearing problems
at the moment as it is without any more."
Next day Dora went back to Freds to explain everything. "Steves been reading in his magazine about
this problem. It could just be an ear infection. Apparently there's a medication the vet could give you
and it might cure it. Our vet's very reasonable, the Colonel's had a word with him, here's his name
and address." "Alright said Fred, I'll go and see him. Thanks Dora."
Next day everyone was having breakfast, in walked the Colonel.
"Right" he said," We need to boost the funds here at the farm, they're running a bit low. Someone suggested
we should have an Easter fun day at Follyfoot, should boost the coffers a bit. What do you think?"
"What idiot came up with that idea" said Ron, cramming his mouth full of food.
"Well, actually, it was me" said the Colonel.
Ron almost choked on his breakfast.
"Great idea Colonel" smiled Steve. Slugger gave Ron a hearty pat on the back, almost knocking him
off his chair.
"When's it to be?" asked Dora.
"Next week" replied the Colonel. "Easter Sunday. Here's the plan of action. Slugger, you'll be in charge
of the barbeque."
"Oh no," said Steve, "Not sausages. Tell me it's not sausages. Or eggs."
"No" replied the Colonel. Hot cross buns. "Novel idea, I thought."
"Especially with it being Easter" murmered Ron.
"They'll be 400 altogether Slugger. They come ready sliced, all you have to do is toast them on the
barbeque then put them on a hot plate. The customers butter them themselves and put them on a
plastic plate. It's easy and foolproof."
"Foolproof" said Ron, "We're talking here about someone who's got through four non-stick frying
pans already this year."
"Yes" said Steve, "Allowing for burnt, cindered, blackened, charred and the ones dropped on the floor,
better order about 700 Colonel."
"'Ere, better warn the Fire Brigade to cancel any leave for that day while we're at it" said Ron.
"Steve," continued the Colonel, "You'll be in charge of taking the youngsters for rides around the farm,
we'll hook the trailer to the Land Rover, and put bales of hay for them to sit on. Then, as a surprise
for the children, half way round you stop at a specially prepared table, and they all help themselves
to an Easter egg."
"Oh what another novel idea for Easter" said Ron.
"Ah, Ron Stryker" said the Colonel. "Well, as your a bit of a sponger and like to take it easy all day,
I've the perfect job for you. Your games going to be called "Soak the rabbit". You'll sit on a chair all day,
dressed as an Easter Bunny, whilst the children throw wet sponges at you. Is that novel enough?. Heres
your outfit. Now hop over there and try it on."
"Very funny" said Ron.
"Dora, you'll be in charge of donkey rides for the children, bare in mind that they'll be a lot of noise and
squealing."
"That's right" said Steve, "And most of it from Ron." They all laughed. Ron scowled and ripped a huge
piece of toast in half with his teeth.
"Trouble is Uncle", sais Dora, "Our donkeys don't like people riding on them, especially noisy children."
"I've thought of that" the Colonel replied. "We'll use that deaf pony of Freds. He won't be affected by
the noise at all. We'll put these false donkey ears I've bought over his, they just strap on, and this grey
blanket on his back, I've made a cross on it with black tape. He'll look just like a donkey."
There was a silence.
"Are all the kids coming to this fun day going to be stupid" said Ron.
"Or blind," said Slugger.
"Then we'll give the children short donkey rides past palm leaves on the floor. Like in the Bible" said the Colonel.
"Well, what do you think?"
"I think they'll need to be both" said Ron.
"Well I'm sorry" said the Colonel, "But it's the best I can do. I'm sure It'll work. Next Sunday it is. Oh
and by the way, Callies coming to help out as well. She'll be at the gate taking the money, she's got
her head on right."
"Probably more than can be said for Ron time the kids have finished with him" laughed Steve.
The next day everyone was busy arranging things for the fun day. Dora went to see Fred and asked if
she could borrow Adam for her donkey rides. "He'll be perfect, he won't hear all the noise" she said.
"It won't bother him."
"O.k. said Fred. "I've just started giving him the medication from the vet, but he says it may never
clear up, we've just got to wait now, but it's the least I can do to lend you Adam to help repay you for
your kindness."
Ron and Slugger were busy putting wooden signs up that said "Easter fun day at Follyfoot".
Ron held the pointed stick to the ground, Slugger stood there with his sledgehammer.
"Right Slugs" said Ron," When I nod my head you hit it."
"Don't give me any ideas Ron" said Slugger, lifting the hammer up in the air.
Callie came over to help Steve clear the trailer out and load the bales of hay into it, although she spent
most of the time talking to Steve and picking up bits of fallen hay.
"I don't think he could have managed without me" she told Dora afterwards, "We work so well together,
like a sort of husband and wife team. I have to keep him at arms length of course."
"Of course " said Dora.
The Colonel was busy advertising the event in the local paper and shop windows and arranged a short
radio interview.
"The reporters coming Good Friday" he said, "At 2.00 p.m. to do a live interview with us all so make sure
you're all here ready."
To be continued.........