Later that day Dora followed her uncle's instructions and opened the safe to take out money for the wages with Steve looking on. The colonel spent the weekend in hospital but continued to make steady progress and was allowed home with increased medication at the beginning of the week. He was instructed to rest and still looked very frail. Dora again dealt with the wages and told her uncle that there was only enough cash left for the following week.
'Steve will need to take me to the bank on Monday'
Dora and Steve were both at Follyfoot on Saturday when Slugger came out of the farmhouse looking worried.
'The colonel's on the phone for you girl. He says it's urgent.'
Worried in case he was feeling ill again Dora went to the phone and came out again almost immediately.
'My father has just phoned , Steve. They know about us and are on their way here. They'll arrive around lunchtime.'
'Oh mate, how on earth--' said Steve.
'Uncle doesn't know but says we need to get back to his place and be there when they arrive. Slugger, we won't be here for lunch.'
They got into the land rover and went to the colonel's going straight to the library where he was waiting for them.
'You don't need this when you're still not feeling well uncle.' said Steve. 'Dora, you're over 21 and have a mind of your own. We need to be strong.'
'They could cut my allowance off.'
'Then we'll just have to work harder.' said Steve.
They busied themselves with chores and were assured by Mrs Porter that there was plenty enough food for them all. When they came to a convenient stop Dora and Steve went indoors to shower and change. Dora put on her favourite blue denim skirt and white broderie anglais trimmed blouse and Steve his best jeans and a clean white shirt. He had on the spicy aftershave that Dora loved.
'You look gorgeous ' he said giving her a long hug and kiss.
'Mmnn, so do you!'
Dora took her ring off it's chain and put it on her finger. They found the colonel still in the library pacing up and down.
'Uncle, I hope you have taken your medication' said Dora. 'Now sit down and relax.'
'I can't, I'm going to be in trouble.'
'You, why?'
' For encouraging your relationship, not that I regret it, mind.'
'I think you should have your meal in your room and leave Dora's parents to me.' said Steve with more confidence than he felt.
'Whatever happens, I'm not going to fire you.'
'Me neither.' said Dora. ' Now uncle, please stop worrying or you'll make yourself ill again- and no hitting the whiskey bottle!'
Just then the doorbell rang and Prudence and Arthur walked in without waiting for it to be answered.
Prudence marched towards Dora with her hand raised as if about to strike her. Steve put himself in between them and Arthur said 'Prudence please!'
She let her hand fall. 'Now let's all sit down please.' said Arthur. They all did as he said and straight away Prudence launched into a verbal assault on Dora.
'To think that a daughter of mine has behaved in the way you have, Dora. 'I'm very disappointed in fact disgusted with you!' she said.