Steve shot out of bed wondering what on earth the time was. He had to be up before Dora or his carefully thought out plan would be ruined. He quickly dressed and hurried out of the stables, the frozen snow crunching beneath his boots as he walked gingerly across the yard. The morning was cold and crisp and the sky was clear of cloud, promising a nice day ahead. Ron was talking to Slugger who had already made a start on the horses.
"What time is it?" asked Steve urgently. "It's alf-past-six." replied Slugger.
"Oh thank goodness, I thought it was later than that, being Ron's here." said Steve, grinning at Ron.
"Charmin' and ere's me coming in early on a Saturday to help so as you and Dora can have a lay-in." Ron said in his 'I do everything around here' voice.
"Is Dora up yet Sluggs?" Steve asked.
"You're full of questions today aren't ya? She wasn't up when I came out of the house, but that was half-an-hour ago. I bet 'is flamin machine has woken her now though." said Slugger, nodding towards Ron. Ron sighed. "Sorry for living" he said sarcastically.
Steve looked at Dora's bedroom window and noticed the curtains were still closed. He looked expectantly at Ron and Slugger. "Look you two, I need some help with something. It's a surprise for Dora." He put his arms around their shoulders and as they huddled together, he explained what he was going to do and how he wanted them to help.
Dora was half asleep, tired from her disturbed night. Was that Ron's bike she heard? She wasn't sure. She stayed under the covers in her soft, warm bed and couldn't even open her eyes long enough to look at the clock to see what the time was. If it was Ron she was glad he was here because she was going to have another hour in bed - or at least until Slugger called her down for breakfast. Steve and Ron could manage this morning. She snuggled further under the blankets and closed her eyes, completely oblivious as to what day it was!
"Dora, breakfast." called Slugger loudly up the stairs. "Come on or it'll be ruined." Dora stirred. She opened her eyes slowly and looked at the clock. 8 o'clock. She felt more refreshed now and swung her legs from under her covers, sitting on the side of the bed. As she came around everything came back to her from last evening. It's Valentine's Day she thought and I was going to see Steve first thing before anybody was up. "Oh no!" she groaned to herself, upset that her plans had already gone awry. She heard Slugger call again and shouted back to him. "I'll be down in a minute - just getting dressed."
Dora entered the room to find she was alone. She sat down at the table and saw an envelope with 'Dora' written on the front. She picked it up and scrutinised it but didn't recognise the writing. She was intrigued and quickly slid her finger under the gummed flap, ripping it open and taking out the piece of paper inside. The paper was heart shaped and on it a riddle...
The first of 4 for you to find on your treasure hunt.
The second, well it's close at hand.
But outside, and not on teak
Oh no, to you a much more precious wood you seek.
Dora smiled to herself and read the riddle over again. A precious wood she thought. She pulled on her boots and coat and ran outside, almost slipping on the icy path. She walked through the gate. There was no sign of a heart there. As she crossed the yard she looked around. Precious wood... then it came to her, the lightening tree. What was more precious wood than that? She went across to the tree and looked all around it. There, in the last place she looked, was the paper heart, pinned high up on the trunk so that she could only just reach it. She tore it down and read the next clue...
From precious wood to precious metal!
Just do as I say
And you'll find it hidden
Amongst the hay.
Oh, this one's easy, thought Dora. Precious metal - it has to be Copper. She rushed as quickly as she could in the icy conditions and went into Copper's stall. She was surprised to find that he was saddled. "Morning Copper." she said excitedly. "Are you going to show me where the next clue is?" She rummaged around in the hay for what seemed like ages and then she felt the crumpled paper and pulled it out.
You're nearly there, but ride a way
To the place where love was talked about
That day when divided became whole again.
Dora read this one several times before she solved it. Of course, it was the place where she and Steve had stopped to talk about.... she remembered it with a special fondness. She couldn't wait to get the last clue and quickly mounted Copper, riding carefully out of the farm gate and across the snowy fields.
She arrived at the spot, which she knew so well, and saw Alex tethered to a large bush. She dismounted and led Copper over to him. As she approached she noticed a heart on Alex's saddle. She took it, her own heart beating fit to break, and read...
