When Steve arrived at the station, he was greeted by a stern looking desk sergeant. 'Can I help you sir?'
My name is Steven Ross, I believe-' 'I presume you are Katherine Ross's son.'
'Yes.'
'If you're willing to stand surety for her she'll probably be granted bail, but I need to go through some things with you so please come through to my office. I'll just get someone to man the desk.'
Meanwhile, back at Copper's Rest Dora received a visit from Annabelle. 'You look troubled Dora, is anything wrong?'
Dora explained about Cathy and her past brushes with the law. 'Milly's late husband Bert and Steve have helped her out before, but she has a bit of a drink problem and I suspect she was the worse for wear when this latest episode happened. She could be facing a jail sentence or at least a hefty fine and if it's the latter I know who'll be paying!'
'Try not to worry too much. I'll make us a nice cup of tea and I know you've got some fig bars, your favourite biscuits. ' Dora was on auto pilot as she got out the biscuit tin and mugs and accepted the drink from Annabelle. 'I wish Steve had let me go with him.'
Although she was expecting Steve's call she jumped when the phone rang. 'Steve, what happened?'
Bail was granted with £200 surety. It's a bit more than they would ask for normally but she's considered to be a bit of a risk. I told her that if she wanted me to do this for her, she would have to come and stay with us until the court appearance which won't be until sometime in the New Year.'
'Oh Steve, what a responsibility!'
'I know, she's packing her things right now. you need to take all the alcohol which was left from you parents Christmas gift last year and lock in the cupboard at colonel G's, hopefully she won't think about looking for it there. You also need to tell everyone that they are not to offer her an alcoholic drink- not even Marianne's home-made wine and definitely not to buy her any. Also no-one is to give her lifts into Whistledown or anywhere else for that matter. I'm really worried in case she tries to do a runner, but I don't know what else can be done.'
Annabelle had been listening. 'It's going to be very difficult to watch her all the time. I'll do my share of course and so will everyone else.'
'Well, that's one advantage of living out here. There's no bus service and it's a long walk to the nearest village. The trouble is there's a lot of work to do and she can't stand horses. I must get that drink locked away.'
'Give me the keys and tell me where it is and I'll do that for you while you go and talk to everyone else.'
'Thanks that would be a great help. ' Steve had told Dora to have her lunch as he had to go to the supermarket to get some food Cathy would eat as when he mentioned home-made soup which they normally had at lunch time, she said she only ate the tinned stuff and liked things like burgers and fish fingers for tea whereas they liked to provide a meal with fresh vegetables and fruit for the evening meal as Jeff and Pru had a packed lunch.
When Steve and Cathy arrived, she was carrying a cage covered in a sheet. She set it down and uncovered it to reveal a parrot.
'Hello you daft s---' it squawked.
'I didn't know you had a parrot!'
'It's not mine. I'm looking after it for my boyfriend. He's abroad on business for a few weeks and when he gets back, we're getting engaged.'
'Well, you'll have to keep that thing in your bedroom' said Steve coming in with loaded shopping bags.
'Show me where it is. I need to have a rest. I got hardly a wink last night in that cell'
'According to the sergeant you snored enough to keep all the other detainees awake!' said Steve. He took her bags to her room. 'You'll need to get me a telly unless you want to spend your evenings watching what I want.'
'Milly's set is stored in the loft as Annabelle has her own. I'll get it down for you tomorrow.' said Steve.