Well, before we start, I want you both to make sure you know how to switch on these lanterns with your eyes closed. They both succeeded and proclaimed it 'easy'. 'They will be on your bedside cabinet all night. If you wake up and need the loo or want to come to us, make sure you put them on. No walking about in the dark. We don't want any accidents. ' Pru and Jeff nodded. Steve and Dora told how Shadow had thrown the squire's daughter into the muck. 'It wasn't funny for her, but we had trouble keeping a straight face.' said Steve. 'And then of course Ron entered him in a race, and he got dumped as well. Serve him right!' said Dora. Steve told them about Mr. Plum's horse Georgie knocking on the doors of his customers and Dora of the time she and Ron were larking about, and Steve got a face full of hay. 'But the funniest thing was dad and Ron having a jousting match. Have you seen the suits of armour in museums? ' When they both nodded, she went on 'They tried some on and could hardly walk let alone get on a horse!' Jeff vaguely knew what jousting was, but they had to explain it to Pru. 'After they had both been unseated, they started to have a fight and Slugger had to break them up. It doesn't sound funny, but it was!' said Dora. 'For all the spectators maybe but not for us!! Said Steve.
Dora then had to explain why they were jousting in the first place. It was because they both had an idea of how they wanted me to celebrate my birthday and the winner was going to choose.' 'But the last laugh was on us because we did it Slugger's way-on a raft which we had to build.' said Steve. 'But Steve provided the cake, with pink icing, and Ron the champagne. That was the day I first got my beloved Copper.' They had both got carried away sharing this story and hadn't noticed both children were asleep. Both children were carried to bed, tucked in by the light of a powerful torch, the lanterns were put in place and Dora and Steve slipped quietly away. They both had an early night too. In the morning the electricity was still off. After breakfast Pru and Jeff opened their Advent Calendars. 'After today there'll only be 3 days left till Christmas Eve and just two to the party. Hazel is doing most of the food preparation. Her electricity might not be off as they're in Leeds, but I think I'll do some baking today.' said Dora. Just then Ron rang. 'Just to confirm all the schools are shut and the road between here and your place is blocked. Farmer John Jones is going to see what he and the others can do but more snow is forecast.'
'Is your electricity off?' 'Yeah, the whole village is. They don't know how long it will take to fix but there are workmen about and when there's a break in the weather they are going to see if anything can be done.' 'Hopefully we'll see you at the party on Friday, Ron.' said Steve.
'Do you want to help me with the baking Pru? 'Yes please.' 'Well go and wash your hands and put your apron on then find me a bobble to tie your hair back.' 'What about you Jeff?'
'I don't think so' 'You can wrap up warm and come with me if you like,' said Steve. I'm going to see to our horses then go down to Follyfoot. Benny can come and you two can run about and keep warm, stay here until I'm ready to go to the farm and I'll come and get you.
It took him longer than usual because he had to clear away some snow and when he came to tell Jeff to get ready there was a lovely smell coming from the warm kitchen. Jeff had been reading and soon put on his outdoor clothes while Steve attached Benny's lead. 'Whatever you're cooking smells delicious.' 'Sausage rolls and you can have one each with morning tea when you get back.' said Dora.
The morning was very productive, and the result was sausage rolls, mince pies and scones. Pru had also made a couple of pastry figures with currants for eyes, nose and buttons. The sausage meat, and the rolls and soup they had for lunch had all come out of the freezer last night as
had the steak and kidney pies for tea which Hazel had made previously. 'We need to use as much food up as we can. We don't want to waste too much while the electricity's off.' The words had scarcely left her mouth when there was a flicker as the lights came on. It was only briefly at first but in a little while they came on and stayed on. ' My word, someone's worked hard in these conditions' said Steve but for now it has stopped snowing.'