A story in two parts.
PART ONE
For the last few evenings a strange tap tap tap sound could be heard coming from Dora's room every few minutes.
"I think she's got a motorbike in there" laughed Ron," probably rebuilding one just like I did".
"Gawd hope not" said Slugger, "One bike around here's enough".
"No, not a bike" said Steve. "I think she's taken up tap dancing" he said, a big grin on his face.
"Oh yeah" said Slugger, "Can just see Dora tap dancing across the yard at mucking out time, I don't fink".
Just then Dora rushed out of her room. "I've done it" she said, "I've done it."
"Done what?" said Ron, "Re-built a motor bike".
"Learnt to tap dance?" said Steve.
"No silly," said Dora," I've learnt to type".
"Learned to type" they all replied as one.
"Yes all by myself", Dora replied, "It's my new hobby, look".
Steve Ron and Sluggers heads all peered round the door. On the table sat an old typewriter. It looked something like a museum piece. Strewn around the floor were dozens of sheets of paper, all with bits of typed words on them.
"And here's a story done by myself" said Dora, picking up a pile of typed sheets from the table.
"Can we read it?", said Steve almost mockingly. Just then the Colonel entered the room.
"Well, I don't know" said Dora. She thought for a few seconds.
"Oh, all right then, see what you think,It's my first attempt".
Dora spread the sheets on the table in order. So they all stood round and bent down, and open-mouthed in anticipation began to read.
AN EYE FOR AN EYE
Today was a sunny day, Dora's story started. We were all busy early on. Slugs had to sweep the yard, he had a worn out brush to sweep up any mess.
"You've cleaned up more muck stuck to your boots than on that brush Slugger me old mate" chuckled Ron.
"Oh Slugs", laughed Dora.
"Aren't we supposed to do some work" Steve retorted.
"You speak for yourself" Dora shouted. "We've not stopped for the last couple of hours. Lets have a break".
"Not burnt toast and eggs surely?" Ron asked Slugger.
"Cause, said Slugger, good for you eggs are".
Not for our stomachs they all thought.
At the table Ron had a motor cycle book to read, forgot where the seat was and ended up full of breakfast all over the place.
"Thats what you call egg on your face" chuckled Steve. Ron scowled . Everyone laughed.
They all sat down. Crunch, chomp, munch, the sound of blackened toast. Ron and Steve every now and then had to
duck to steer clear of the dangerous toasted shrapnel.
After breakfast Ron produced a pot plant from under the table, red floral paper wrapped around the base and
proudly gave the plant to Dora.
"Whats that?" Dora asked.
"A present for you M'lady" came the reply.
"AAAARGH" Screamed Dora, as half a dozen ugly beetles emerged from the plant.
Dora dropped the plant on the floor. Ron Steve and Slugger looked blankly at Dora.
"Oh sorry Ron" Dora uttered, and bent down and scooped up the bedraggled and broken flower.
"What a lovely plant" Dora echoed, as she proudly observed what was left, just a broken stem. "Thank you Ron".
"You're welcome M'lady", Ron answered.
Steve had to put hand to mouth to stop an uncontrollable laugh.
Oh my gawd, Slugger thought, more mess to clean up, better get the brush.
Later that day the Colonel called to say another horse needed Follyfoots help.
"Found her down the meadow, she's homeless, no-one to look after her, just been dumped there".
"No problem" Dora answered softly,"We can look after her".
Dora found a spare stable, lovely and warm, plenty of food and water.
"Whats her name?" Steve asked.
"Don't know", came the reply. "How about Lucky?".
"Sounds good to me" Steve beamed. "Very apt name".
And so the day ended on a happy note. We had a few laughs today, got myself a plant, and Lucky was Lucky thought Dora.
END OF STORY
Well, any comments? asked Dora.
Steve looked puzzled.
"The title Dora ",he said.
"What does an eye for an eye have to do with your story. I can't understand it".
"Oh," said Dora, she looked down , embarrassed.
"Can't you tell?", the Colonel said, havn't you spotted it?".
"No" said Steve, shaking his head.
"Anybody?", asked the Colonel. "Don't forget, I do the Times crossword everyday".
They all stood dumbfounded.
"Dora's story, look " said the Colonel, there's not the letter "i"in it anywhere.
To be continued..........
