later in the afternoon after she had eaten.
When Dora went to Follyfoot to pick up the children Jodie greeted her with a solemn face.
'Leave them here for a while longer and go to the caravan to see Eddie. '
When she arrived at the caravan it was to find Grant and Eddie having a heated discussion outside the caravan . Marianne sat just inside feeding Lily while Ray played on the floor with his bricks.
'I tell you Adam's not the sort of boy to steal anything. I'd stake my life on it!' said Grant.
'Be careful what you say. You've only known him a few months.' Eddie responded.
'I think Grant's right.' put in Marianne. 'And Evie wouldn't be a part of anything like this!'
'He wouldn't be fool enough to tell her. No my guess is he's got an accomplice at that place they've gone to who'll hide the money and probably get a share. Then Adam'll take off one night and leave Evie on her own.'
'What's going on?' asked Dora.
'Our money's gone. Most of the cash we got from selling part of the fair and the money we've been earning. All that's left is the coins-obviously too heavy to carry.'
'Oh no! Eddie I'm sure Adam would not steal from you. He's scrupulously honest. Doesn't even take a biscuit without asking....'
'And always pays if he wants to use the telephone' added Grant.
'We'll have to let the police get to the bottom of it.'
'No-please' said Marianne. I'll drive us to Filey tomorrow Eddie and we'll confront Adam together in front of Evie. I'll know if he's telling the truth.'
'Can't your powers help you out in seeing what happened to the money?' Grant asked.
'No, we're not allowed to seek on our own behalf or close family.'
'You do realise he could have done a runner by tomorrow?' said Eddie.
'Look-if he has we've got photos of him and Evie would know what clothes he had with him.I've got a strong feeling that we shouldn't involve the police.'
Eddie sighed. 'Alright- I give in. It's a good thing Tim's away on school camp and away from all this. Marianne sat Lily up and rubbed her back as she looked at Dora.
'How's Steve?'
'He's okay now. Had a bit of a bad reaction to the anaesthetic but that's been sorted and he's just very tired. I'm going back in after tea-not that I've had anything much since breakfast.'
'Here' said Marianne. 'I made some cheese scones this morning. Take a couple home.'
Dora accepted and started walking back to the farmhouse with Grant keeping her company.
'Are you going to tell Steve about this?'
'Not tonight-maybe tomorrow depending how he is. I'd rather wait and tell him when he gets home.'
'You look done in Dora' said Jodie.'Sit down and I'll make you a cup of tea. Jeff's watching a schools nature programme on television and Pru's asleep.'
'Thanks. I'll have the scones Marianne's given me as well if you don't mind.'
'Course not. Jeff and I made gingerbread men this morning so he can have one with a glass of milk.'
'Do you mind having them tomorrow afternoon. I'm going to be at home till after lunch?'
'That's fine. I'll keep them till after tea then take them back to the bungalow and help Milly put them to bed.'
'Leave Benny here for a bit Dora. I'll take him for a walk later and while you're out tonight we'll have another walk round later to make sure there's no strangers about, after all a lot of people knew that Eddie and Marianne kept money in the caravan even if they didn't know how much.' said Grant.
'Surely a thief wouldn't come back so soon.'
'Oh they might if they thought you had money in the bungalow and knew about Steve being away!'
Dora shivered. 'I'll be worried about Auntie and the kids now.'
'I'll ask Tony to go over. I know he's not going out tonight because Ellie's away with the school like Tim.'
On the short drive home Dora thought to herself what a pity it was that Grant and Jodie had no children of their own. They both seemed to love children and young people and she knew that Eddie's accusations about Adam hit them as hard as it did her. Steve would feel it too and that made her determined to keep the matter of the stolen money from him for the time being. There was a lovely smell coming from her oven as she went indoors.
'Goody- auntie's stew and dumplings!' exclaimed Jeff.
Dora had to smile. When Slugger had cooked stew and dumplings Steve, Ron and Dora would certainly not have reacted like that but she still missed dear old Slugger for all that.
Meanwhile, oblivious to all the drama Adam and Evie were enjoying their holiday. Swimming in the pool, entering silly competitions, going on rides and dancing at the evening Disco. Best of all they were enjoying cosying up to each other on the comfortable sofa-like seating in the caravan. On Monday night she'd said 'You don't really need to sleep in the other bedroom Adam, come into mine. It's got a double bed.'
'We mustn't Evie- we're still very young!'
'So what- back at home the travelling families allowed their youngsters to have fun provided they took precautions. Let's face it there wasn't much else to do on cold nights!'
I couldn't face Marianne if we slept together and anyway I don't have any protection with me.'
' Well I do. Tony and Ellie sleep together. She stays the night at the farm sometimes and his parents don't mind.'
'That's different. They're older and they're engaged.'
'We could get engaged.'
'Please Evie- don't keep on. I don't want to spend our evenings quarrelling. It's late and I want to be up early so I can join the pre-breakfast run tomorrow. I want to get fit.'