going dutch katie fforde

8/13/2019 Going Dutch Katie Fforde

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GOING DUTCH

KATIE FFORDE

Acknowledgements

To the DBA, the Barge Association, for the rally and other barge related events,including a kind man called Alan, who thought of the title for me.

To Jonathan Early for the gilding which really was magical; to B J ood ! "on,

who are an e#traordinary boatyard; to $arriet Jones for many things, including her %inkengine, and not forgetting our own dearAccacia, who is the star of the show, in my eyes,anyway.

To the wonderful team at &andom $ouse including 'ate Elton and (eorgina

$awtrey)oore, the art de%artment, the sales force who are as ins%ired as they areoutrageous, and the wonderful *harlotte Bush who has brilliant ideas and an e#cellent

taste in hotels. +one of it would be %ossible or anything like as much fun withoutany of you.To dear &ichenda Todd who sto%s me embarrassing myself so tactfully and so

freuently.To "ara -isher and everyone else at A $eath, including "arah olloy who is

still my friend/ 0t is a %rivilege to work with such talented, diligent %eo%le.

*ha%ter 1ne

Dora %ut down her bags and looked at the woman who was waving to her fromacross the water. As instructed, she had taken a ta#i from the station that serviced the %rettyThames)side town and had been de%osited at the gates of the moorings. Then she hadtele%honed to announce her arrival. $er new landlady was going to meet her and let her in.

"he did recognise her, of course, but her best friend2s mother had changed a bitsince she2d last seen her. +ow she was wearing a long overshirt and a %air of baggy 3eans.Before, she had worn the sort of *ounty women2s clothes Dora2s mother wore4 skirts, silkshirts, or %ossibly a sha%ed T)shirt, with a cashmere cardigan round the shoulders. $er hair,which used to look coiffed in a hairdresser)once)a week way, was now rather wild. "hewas smiling warmly, however, and Dora felt that going to her for refuge may not havebeen such a bad idea after all.

5$ow did you manage this lot on the train62 asked rs Edwards when she hadcrossed the bridge and reached Dora. "he %icked u% a selection of 2bags for life2 thatbulged with woolly 3um%ers. 2And why do you need all these 3um%ers6 0t2s ay/2

5y mother said it2s always cold on boats,2 Dora e#%lained a%ologetically.2And %eo%le were very hel%ful,2 she went on, remembering how their kindness had nearlymade her break down and cry. "he was so brittle, the smallest thing was likely to set heroff.


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50 do really think that on the whole mankind is nicer than it gets credit for,2 said rsEdwards, %olitely ignoring the remark about the cold and boats. 2+ow, follow me.7

Dora heaved her rucksack on to her back and followed her along the %ath to a tallsteel gate. rs Edwards leant forwards against a metal %late. The door bee%ed and she%ushed it o%en.

50 kee% the fob in my bra,2 she e#%lained. 202ve usually got my hands full. 02ll giveyou one, then you can come and go as you want.2 "he sent Dora a glance. 81'67Dora nodded and followed rs Edwards down the walkway to the %ontoons.

Tied u% against each one was a barge of some kind. Although she longed to look atthem, Dora was grateful that rs Edwards didn2t sto% ) her rucksack was so heavy.They had %assed about four barges, each different from the other, before rs Edwardshalted ne#t to a huge vessel %ainted dark green.

5This is The Three Sisters. 0t was originally called that in Dutch, but no one couldsay it, so ichael, who owns it, translated it. 0t2s a common name for Dutch barges.7

rs Edwards swung the bags over the side of the barge an d th en fol lo we dthem, he r legs go ing over in a sur%risingly nimble way. Dora thought her own

mother would have made much more of a meal of it, but reflected that her mother hadalways made a meal of everything, which in %art e#%lained why she was here.

rs Edwards turned to give Dora a hand. 29ou give me that lot, then if you %utyour foot there, you can get on board uite easily. A bit of %ractice and you2ll be lea%ingon and off like a young lamb.2

502m not sure about that,2 said Dora, clambering aboard awkwardly. "he followedrs Edwards u% the metal ste% and through a door.

5This is the wheelhouse, obviously,2 said rs Edwards,indicating the huge wheel.2But also the conservatory.2 Amongst a row of flower%ots containing tomato %lants andgeraniums Dora also s%otted %ots of basil and %arsley. 2All these would have to be moved

if we ever went anywhere, which, thank goodness, we2re not doing.259ou get a good view from here,2 said Dora, looking around her. 2And,%resumably, lots of sun.2

50t2s a lovely %lace to sit, 0 must say. There aren2t usually so many barges here, butthere are lots of visitors, because of the rally. 0t starts tomorrow.2

51h, have 0 come at a bad time625+ot at all/ 0t2ll be nice to have some moral su%%ort.250sn2t the rally fun, then62 asked Dora. "he wasn2t sure what a rally involved but

she decided 3ust to go along with anything Jo ) rs Edwards ) suggested. "he didn2t feelu% to any decision)making herself uite yet.

50n a way.2 rs Edwards was more cautious. 2But on "unday there2s a %arade of

boats, which means you have to let anyone who wants to, come and look all over your boat.2"he looked concerned. 20 find the idea of strangers tram%ing about my homecom%letely hideous/ 02ll have to have a massive tidy)u%.7

Dora now dimly remembered that her friend 'aren2s mother had always had amore laisse:)faire attitude to tidiness than her own mother. "he2d been very rela#edabout them making a mess in the kitchen, e#%erimenting with reci%es for toffee, fudgeand, later, %ancakes. 2ell, of course, 02ll hel% you.2


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5et2s not think about it now. et2s go down and have a glass of wine. 0 know it2sonly five)thirty, but as far as 02m concerned, the sun2s over the yardarm,2 said rsEdwards.

5hat does that mean62502m not uite sure, but 0 do know it means you can have a drink. 0 think when

you2ve had a long 3ourney and not a very brilliant time recently, you deserve one. And 0have to kee% you com%any.2 "he smiled and Dora thought what a nice)looking womanshe was. iddle)aged, of course, but uite attractive.

"he returned the smile and followed her landlady down a flight of wooden stairs.hen Dora2s best friend 'aren had called, all the way from *anada, and said,

2(o and stay with um on her barge,2 Dora had been diffident.5"he won2t want me inviting myself to stay. "he2s had a ghastly time herself/2502ll tell her. "he must know what2s ha%%ened anyway, she was invited to the

wedding. But she2d love having you. "he needs the com%any. hatever she says, shemust be lonely, and you might be able to sto% her getting too eccentric.7

Dora wasn2t nearly as bossy as 'aren and had no intention of trying to %ut rsEdwards back on the %ath of conventionality, but as she really needed somewhere to go,she eventually agreed. 2Being a social %ariah, 0 don2t have much choice,2 she2d said.

59ou2re not a social %ariah/ 9ou fell out of love with a man who really was uiteboring and then changed your mind about getting married.


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Dora had considered. 29es, 1', 0 see what you mean.7+ow, she looked around her while 'aren2s mother found glasses and a

bottle of wine. They2d dum%ed her various bags in the cabin which was to be Dora2s 2foras long as she needed it2. The saloon was much larger than she2d e#%ected, with a sittingarea down one end, a kitchen ) or should that be galley6 she wondered ) and eating area

down the other. The walls were %ainted white and the ceiling was %anelled wood. Therewas some sort of stove in one corner, and a banuette and chairs nearby. 0t was very cosy,but not, now she thought about it, terribly tidy.

5There2s a %acket of cris%s in that cu%board,2 said rs Edwards. 2(et it out, wouldyou6 There2s a bowl in there somewhere, too.2

5ould you like me to use the china bowl or the wooden one, rs Edwards67rs Edwards regarded Dora with a horrified e#%ression. 21h, call me Jo, %lease/

+o one calls me rs Edwards these days. 02d assume that my mother)in)law had risen fromthe grave and a%%eared at my shoulder.7

Dora felt embarrassed. 2$ave you gone back to your maiden name, then6 0wouldn2t blame you=2

51h no, or at least, 0 su%%ose 0 might, it2s 3ust that everyone calls me Jo. 9oumust too.2

51', Jo. hich bowl62 Dora lost her shyness now she was using Jo2s first name.0t %ut them on a more eual footing.

Jo %ointed to the wooden one, handed Dora a glass and sat down on the banuette,finding s%ace for her own glass among the %iles of %a%ers, reci%e books and a make)u%bag. 2


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50 did offer to do it all, but she 3ust took over.7Dora2s mother didn2t trust Dora to do anything as grown u% as organise a

wedding, although she felt she was %erfectly grown u% enough to get married, evenif Dora was only twenty)two.

5"he2s a very efficient woman.2

5m,2 Dora muttered into her glass.5But it would have been uite wrong of you to have gone through with it if you

didn2t feel it was right, 3ust to save face.25That2s what 0 think, but um didn2t agree. "he said she could never hold her head

u% in the village again, and wouldn2t even let me send the wedding %resents back/ "hewas so furious she 3ust wanted me out of her sight and to do it herself.2

50f 'aren had been here, you could have gone to her,2 said Jo, 2but as she2s not,she was uite right to suggest you came to me.2

502m sure.2 Dora si%%ed again. "omehow she did feel better 3ust being herewith Jo.

5e2re both running away, really,2 said Jo, thoughtfully.502m running away from the wreckage of a marriage and you2re running awayfrom a wedding.2

5as it awful when your husband left you6 "orry/2 said Dora. 2That sounds sostu%id. 1f course it was/ 02m 3ust thinking how John must have felt.2

5$e couldn2t have felt uite the same as 0 did,2 said Jo. 20 mean, he2s in his twentiesand has got all his life before him. $e2s bound to find someone else. 02m fifty, no one isgoing to want me.2

51h, 02m sure that2s not true . .Jo laughed. 20t2s 1'/ 0 wouldn2t have anyone else, not now. 9ears and years of my

life 0 dedicated to my husband and child ) did 0 get a long)service medal6 +o 0 did not. 0

got dum%ed for a younger woman. "uch a clich>/ $e might have had the decency to leaveme for a less humiliating reason. But no.2 "he frowned. 2$e had the nerve to say, ?0f youmet her, you2d understand. "he2s 3ust like you were when you were young.?5

Dora took this in. 21h my (od/250t was as if he2d used me all u% and needed a new one of me.2502d have murdered him/2 Dora was suitably indignant.50 would have done if 02d had a wea%on handy at the time, but fortunately the

moment %assed.2 Jo chuckled. 2Actually, although 02m still livid when 0 think about it, 02vehad uite a lot of fun since 0 moved on to the barge. 0t was great being able to startafresh.2

50 know 'aren thought you2d want to stay in the house, where all your friendswere.25The trouble is, 0 didn2t have a role any more.


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5Pitrevie Drive? 1f course/ The ta%es are still u% in the attic. 9ou two werehysterical.2

50t was fun. 0 do miss 'aren.25"o do 0, but 0 kee% reminding myself that she hasn2t gone for ever, only for a

cou%le of years.2

50 bet she wanted to come home when your husband left you/251f course. 0 had to tell her 02d never s%eak to her again if she did, though. 0

couldn2t have her career messed u% as well as my life.259ou2re very strong. 02m sure um would have gone to %ieces.7Jo si%%ed her wine. 20 had my moments, but now 02m a strong, inde%endent

woman, with no intention of ever having any sort of relationshi% again.2 "he regardedDora. 20 wouldn2t wantyou never to have another relationshi%, but you will soon findthat having a boyfriend isn2t everything.7

Dora laughed wryly. 21h, 0 know that. 0 had one for years and years/ 0tcertainly wasn2t everything.7

Jo chuckled and %icked u% some cris%s.5But why couldn2t you have stayed in the house6


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Jo %ut a hand on her knee and laughed. 2ith a daughter like mine, no one evencomes close in the bossy stakes. And anyway, 02m grateful for all the hel% 0 can get.7

Dora was almost as fond of 'aren as Jo was but entirely agreed with the firststatement. 2"hall we %ut some musicon6 02ve got a *D that always gives me energy. 0t2suite old, of course. 1ne of Dad2s, but 0 love it.7

Jo got u%, laughing. 2That2ll suit me fine, then. The *D %layer2s over there.7The heavy rock music did get Jo into the mood for cleaning. "he2d meant to do it

all before Dora came, of course, but after she2d done the bathroom and Dora2s bedroom,there2d been no time for the saloon and kitchen.

Dora had %urloined the $oover and was %utting her back into the floor. Jo wastrying to clear the table, a much less satisfying task as it reuired decisions. Jo hatedmaking decisions. @naware that she was doing it, she %ut her hand in her %ocket andfound a %iece of ribbon. 0t had come off a bale of tea towels she had bought for Dora2sbenefit. "he suared off a %ile of %a%ers and maga:ines and tied the ribbon round it.Then she %ut it ne#t to the bowl of fruit. "he considered. +ot uite an artisticstatement, but it did make it look as if the %a%ers needed to be there.

iving on her own had allowed her to become even more untidy than she had beenbefore. hen she was married, to a tidy man, she2d been forced to clean and tidy atboringly regular intervals. +ow she was free of that she2d let things slide rather. "he filledthe dishwasher with her usual lightning s%eed. The rock music made her want to danceand she did wiggle about a bit as she wi%ed the surfaces in the kitchen, but really lettingri% might have made Dora worry that she was now living with a lunatic. orse, shemight re%ort back to 'aren that her mother had finally lost it.

"he wi%ed a cloth wrung out in a bleach solution round the %ortholes, wherecondensation, and then black mould, tended to gather. 0t wasn2t her barge, she only rented it,but it was her home. hen ichael, an old university friend of


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5ell, how do you think 0 feel/ 02ll tell you4 discarded. ike a bit of old car%etthat did sterling service for years and then is dragged off to the local ti%/ That2s how 0feel. And if 0 want to live on a barge, 0 will.7

ichael had been very %leased to think his barge might have a tenant. "he hadmet him and he had shown her round.

502m going to be out of the country for at least a year, and boats don2t like being leftwith no one to look after them. 9ou2ll be doing me a favour.250t was very kind of you to think of me,2 Jo had said. 2ell, 0 wouldn2t have

thought of you if


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50 know that but it would be nice if there was someone under fifty for you to talkto. 0 don2t want you to be bored out of your skull. 'aren would have gone on for hours if02d dragged her to anything she didn2t en3oy.2

50 %robably would have done before, but now 0 3ust want to chat about the weatherto %eo%le old enough to be my grand%arents. ill you know many of the old duffers67

Jo chuckled. 20 don2t think 0 actually know anyone of that descri%tion. 02ll knowthe locals , but there are lots of visiting boats, and %eo%le who haven2t got barges butwant them. They2re doing research. Tilly, from Appalachia )that2s the boat withthe wooden decks and the tubs of flowers near ours ) she2s going to be there. "he2s greatfun. 9ou2ll like her. $er engine is %ainted %ink.2

5ow/25Then there2s the cou%le fromBlackberry. They2re lovely. uite elderly, and

they2re not here all the time, but so kind. Doug sorted me out when 0 had to get gas for thefirst time.7

502m never going to remember everyone2s names.25Don2t worry about it. 0 won2t introduce you all that much anyway, because

02m ho%eless at remembering names too. 02ll 3ust say that you2re Dora.25And what else62 Dora sto%%ed and grabbed Jo2s arm, suddenly aware that she

needed to have some sort of cover story."tartled by her urgency, Jo turned to her. 2hat do you mean625ell, you2ll have to say why 02m here, won2t you67Jo shook her head as she realised what Dora was talking about. 2+ot at all. 02ll 3ust

say you want to try living near ondon for a while and are staying with me because it2schea%.2

5ell, that2s true. 0t2s been free, so far.7Jo waved her hands in a dismissive gesture. 29ou only arrived yesterday, and

when you2ve got a 3ob you can %ay me rent. +ow, do you think 0 look all right67Dora thought it would have been better if Jo had asked this when they were still

on the barge and she could have made any necessary alterations, but for some reason shehadn2t. Thus there was no %oint in suggesting %owder, or %ointing out that her trousershad %aint on them. 29ou look fine.2

59ou don2t think this to% is a bit bright62 Jo %ulled at it. Dora considered and lied.2@m. +ot really.2

5That means you do.2 Jo let out a frustrated sigh. 20 deliberately left all my tastefulclothes behind. 0 wanted a new start.2 They set off walking again.

5&ight.2

5And 0 didn2t want to be invisible.25hy on earth should you be invisible62 Dora asked in sur%rise.5omen of my age are, you know. 0t2s a well)known %henomenon.7Dora cleared her throat. 2ell, you won2t be, not in that to%.7Jo %ut a hand to her neckline, which was uite low. 20t2s too revealing and too

s%arkly, isn2t it625+ot really. 0 mean, it2s uite s%arkly, but they2re very discreet seuins and bugle

beads.2


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5hat about the revealing bit6250t2s %erfectly res%ectable. Even my mother would wear something that low.7Jo laughed in relief. 2'aren wouldn2t be seen dead with me in a to% like this.250 will.2 Dora tried to be reassuring.+ow the %ath was wider and they could walk side by side, Jo took Dora2s arm

in a friendly fashion. 2hen


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them both into their grou%. Jo introduced Dora and no one said, 2ho2s the little runaway,then62 or anything like that. ogically, Dora rea lised, this was a h ighly unl ikelyscenario, but the %revious week at home had been so full of %eo%le who felt free tocomment on her lack of 2ideas of decent behaviour2, as they called it, she was%rogrammed to e#%ect such remarks.


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"he regarded him. 20 don2t know/ 02ve hardly had a chance to find out what abarge is/2

50t2s a bloody great boat,2 said Tom solemnly.+ow Dora laughed. 20 did %ick u% that much.25"o, if you2re not a barge fanatic, why are you here67

502m staying with my best friend2s mother. 0 fancied living nearer ondonand she offered me a room. 0t2s uite chea%.2 0t would be uite chea%, she knew that, andwas satisfied by how all this came out. 0t didn2t sound like she was running away at all.

5&ight. "o who owns The Three Sisters?'ell, Jo ) that2s who 02m staying with ) rents it, so 0 don2t know. Jo2s over

there.25"he looks nice.25"he is.2 "he %aused. 2"o why are you here6250 work in a boatyard but 02m always trying to %ick u% work as a deckhand. 0 s%end

a lot of time around boats but not enough time at sea.2

5-air enough.25*an 0 get you a drink6 0 think there2s going to be wine with dinner, but as there2s

no sign of any food, you might need something before then.7Dora considered. "he had been thirsty when Jo had bought her a drink and had

asked for a $enry. +ow she felt something stronger than orange 3uice and soda might be agood idea. 2A glass of red wine would be great.7

Tom loo%ed his leg out from behind the chair in an athletic way. 2$ousered62

5-ine.7Jo caught her attention while he was gone and leant low across the table.

2Are you all right6 0 mean, he seems uite cute from over here, but if you2re notha%%y, 0 could swa%.7

$o%ing fervently that this stage whis%er was not as audible as it seemed, Dorasaid, 202m fine. $e2s fun. +o %robs.2

5That2s 1' then.2 Jo settled back in her seat and then leant forward again. 2Did 0warn you6 There2s going to be a ui:.2

51h. That2s all right. 0 won2t know anything. 02ll 3ust sit and watch.7Jo smiled. 20 only know uestions about gardening and cooking and 0 bet there

won2t be any.7They both sat back down and Dora rearranged her knives and forks again.5"o, you2ll be looking for a 3ob, then62 asked Tom, when he had returned with the

drinks.59es, 0 su%%ose so. 0 mean, 0 will be on onday. 0 did think 02d leave myself the

weekend to settle in.7$e ignored her gentle sarcasm. 2hat do you do67This was a uestion Dora hated. 21ffice work. +othing very e#citing.25hat sort of %lace did you work in before62


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5An estate agent2s. 0t was fun.2 Tom was %robably too young to have had a badestate agent e#%erience, but Dora was so bored with %eo%le telling her how dreadful theywere as a breed, she used defensive tactics automatically.

5as it very high)tech625oderately. 0 don2t know really. 02d worked there since 0 left college.2

5Didn2t you go to uni67Dora shook her head. 2+o. 0 did a secretarial course. hat about you62 "o far, all

the uestions had been one way and Tom hadn2t had to 3ustify his e#istence at all.50 went to college too. -almouth. 02m a boat)builder. A%%rentice, really. 0 do

other odd 3obs to make e#tra money.25That sounds interesting.25Does it, if you2re not really interested in boats675ho says 02m not interested in boats6259ou2re 3ust on one for a chea% %lace to stay.2 $e grinned. 2Do you live on a boat6259es, actually. But not a barge.2

51h, do you have to, in your 3ob625+o, but as you say, it2s chea%. The yard where me and my mates do a lot of

work lets us have a mooring if we don2t mind moving about when they2ve got workon. 02m not there at the moment. +o room. 02m near here for the time being. 0t2s handy,being able to move your home.2

50 su%%ose.25Does that sound very strange to you6259es. 0 mean, 0 come from a small village, where every one lives in houses.25This is like a village too, only %eo%le live on boats or barges. 02ve 3ust moved

villages for a while.7

As Dora was fleeing from the cosiness of village life she didn2t want to talk aboutthem all night. "he changed the sub3ect. 2hat2s the difference between boats and barges,technically67

Tom took a si% from his %int. 2They say a barge can carry a boat, but a boatcouldn2t carry a barge. 0t2s uite an involved uestion, really, and 0 don2t su%%ose you2reall that interested.2 $e glanced at her and smiled. $e did have a rather nice smile,boyish and charming at the same time.

Dora felt she could have feigned interest for a little while, but not for long.$owever, if they talked about boats and barges it would mean he wouldn2t ask %robinguestions. "he fell silent as she considered.

5ook,2 he said, %ossibly getting tired of waiting for an answer. 2


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"he and


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Jo hadn2t antici%ated this uestion. @nlike Dora, who had %re%ared an answer, shewas %ut on the s%ot. 20 don2t think 02m retired, 0 think 02m between careers.2

5Are you6 hat bliss/ uch as 0 love what 0 do, how wonderful to have achance to start again. Don2t you think67

iranda2s enthusiasm was startling and Jo had to think for a moment before

answering. 29es, 0 su%%ose it is.2 iranda made a gesture. 2"orry, you %robably don2t feellike that at all, but 0 always want to a%%ly for every 3ob 0 ever see. And 0 know they2renot going to take me on as a stable girl at my age, even if 0 did know anything abouthorses.2

5$ave some more wine,2 said Jo. "he was en3oying herself.

2"o, what do you do for fun62 Tom asked Dora when they returned to their table,their %lates %iled high.

5@m ) what do you mean62 Dora knew %erfectly well what Tom meant butshe needed time to think something u%. "he and John had e#ercised his mother2s dogs andgone to the su%ermarket for fun. "he didn2t think that Tom would be im%ressed.

59ou know, hobbies, stuff like that. Did you have a ga% year625+o. 9ou625+o. 02m going travelling when 02ve saved enough money.250 was going to do that too. hen 0 got the 3ob in the estate agent2s, 0 thought

it was 3ust for the summer but somehow 0 3us t stayed. 2 John hadn2t want ed to gotravelling, and she2d loved him, so she2d stayed at home to be with him. +ow she2dhave to think of a reason for staying that didn2t involve John.

51h6 hy6 as it so fascinating625"trangely, yes. 0 love houses.25And 0 love boats.7

"he laughed. 20t2s a good thing we2re not %lanning to get together then/2 "hesto%%ed abru%tly, aware that she2d brought u% the very sub3ect she most ho%ed toavoid. Tom seemed uite calm about it, however. 21h, 0 don2t know. 0 was %lanning toask you out for a drink, actually.7

5ere you62502ll let you know if 0 intend to go through with it,2 he said gravely.5(ive me %lenty of warning, so 0 can think u% an e#cuse if 0 don2t want to.2 "he

was suddenly more rela#ed. "he hadn2t sworn off men for ever, she 3ust didn2t want acommitment. Tom didn2t look like he would want to settle down with a mortgage, aabrador and a semi, like John did. $e was going travelling. That made him safe. "he

also liked his curly hair. John had flo%%y hair. $er mother thought he looked like $ugh(rant, and he did in a way. $e wore the same sort of clothes. Tom was wearing 3eansand a T)shirt with a subversive message on it.

5$ere, let me to% you u%,2 said Tom with a lo%sided grin.51',2 said Dora.

2hich is the longest river in the British 0sles, including 0reland62 asked the

ui:master later that evening.


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To Dora2s relief, the cou%le ne#t to them had teamed u% with her and Tom, soTom wouldn2t be answering the uestions all on his own.

5The Thames,2 said the male half of the cou%le con fidently. $e was called Derek.5+o/ The "evern, surely/2 said "heila, his wife.The argument about which of the two it was went on between them and Tom

until Dora felt com%elled to s%eak u%. 2$e said including 0reland. 0n which case, it2s the"hannon.2

5Are you sure62 Three astonished faces regarded her. "he nodded. 21h yes. 0 don2tknow much, but what 0 know, 0 know.2

5But surely=2 began Derek.5rite it down,2 said Tom. 2e haven2t time to argue any more. $ere2s the ne#t

uestion.7Dora2s contribution was valued. Because of John2s fond ness for ui::es, she2d

watched a lot of them on television. 0t gave her an eclectic, if not frightfully useful, rangeof information. 0t was acknowledged that it was thanks to her that their team won.

5That was brilliant/2 said Tom, kissing her hard on the cheek.59es/2 said the others, kissing her too. 2+ow go u% and choose a %ri:e for us."omething to drink, if %ossible.2 Dora came back with a bottle of rum.

Derek and "heila were so %leased to have won. 2The %eo%le on Ciderellaalways win the ui:. ook at them now, %ig sick/ +ow, let2s go back to Avocet andmake rum %unches.2

5(ood idea,2 said Tom. 2$ave you got any limes62502m afraid 0 can2t come,2 said Dora. 202m with Jo. The woman over there in the red

to%6251h yes,2 said Derek. 2ery attractive. ell, invite her, too.7$is wife shot him a discerning look. 2"he looks as if she2s tied u% with her team.

They came third, 0 think.2502d better go and 3oin her,2 said Dora.Tom lea%t out of his seat to follow her. 2Don2t rush off/ *ome and have one rum

%unch, and then 02ll see you home. 02d like to talk to you a bit more.25ook, really, 02m not looking for any sort of relationshi% 3ust now.7Tom grinned. 2+or am 0/ 0 want to know if you2d like to work for a boatyard.7-eeling stu%id for rushing in with that s tatement , Dora ho%ed he wouldn2t

notice her heightened colour. 2hat625Don2t look so horrified, 0 only meant in the office. But it2s local, and you might

en3oy it.7


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At first, Jo didn2t understand uite what he meant, and then found the notionhilarious. 2+o she hasn2t/ "he2s an adult, she can do what she wants. Just don2t let her fallin on the way back. here isAvocet? 0s it in the marina, or outside62

51utside,2 said Tom, 2with the other visiting boats.259ou2ll need a fob, then,2 said Jo. 2$ere2s the s%are, 0 meant to give it to you

earlier,2 she added as she reached into her bra.5"he2s great/2 said Tom as he escorted Dora down the stairs. 2And you2ve only

lived with her for one day6250 knew her when 0 was growing u% though,2 said Dora. 2But you2re right. "he2s

great.7

After drinking their %ri:e onAvocet, Tom had wanted her to go back to the boatwhere he lived to carry on drinking, but Dora had been very firm about saying no. uch asshe had sur%risinglyC en3oyed herself this evening, it was uite late, and lovely as Joundoubtedly was, she might not a%%reciate Dora having the hangover from hell the ne#tday, es%ecially when the cleaning %rocess would be continued. Jo was very an#iousabout the boat %arade.

Anyway, Dora couldn2t cook with a hangover, and she had %romised to makechocolate brownies to infuse the barge with a nice smell, and to bribe the visitors with.Jo had bought lots of beers and wine.

50 know it2s silly,2 she had said, 2but 0 can2t have %eo%le crossing my thresholdwithout offering them something to eat or drink. $os%itality is my besetting sin.2 "he had%aused for a moment. 2ell, one of them.2

5hat are the others62 Dora had asked.5Buying clothes from catalogues and not sending them back if they don2t fit.25hat did you do instead62

50 gave them to the charity sho%. But that was when 0 was a ke%t woman. 02mgoing to be far more %ractical now.2 "o, being %ractical also, Dora said goodnight toTom.

*ha%ter Three5Do you want a cu% of tea and some toast62 Jo s%oke uietly but urgently through a

crack in the door to Dora2s cabin. 20t2s nearly ten o2clock. The boat %arade starts ateleven.7

Dora o%ened a reluctant, then a guilt)stricken eye. 21h my (od, 02m so sorry.25"o, tea and toast625+o, no. 02ll get u%. 02ll have a shower and 02ll go back on cleaning duty.25e2re %retty tidy now. As tidy as we2re ever going to be, anyway. 02ll have tea

ready for when you2re out of the shower.2 Jo closed the door uietly behind herand wondered if Dora was likely to go back to slee%. 0t was with some relief that sheheard her go to the bathroom a few moments later.


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Jo had en3oyed her evening very much and yet she hadn2t sle%t well. 0t was%artly having Dora, she knew. Although she had %rotested so firmly that her lodger wasan adult, she hadn2t really settled until she2d heard Dora come in. And then there wasiranda who2d made her laugh so much and who2d wanted a 3ob as a stable girl. "he2dbeen so envious of Jo having a chance to start a new career and had given Jo a lot to think

about. @% until then, she2d thought of herself as the in3ured %arty, battling valiantly tomake a new life for herself. +ow she had more or less done that, a new career was whatshe needed and wanted, she realised.

"he2d lain awake much of the night thinking of what she could do. Being a stablegirl was not an o%tion for her, either. But she did have skills. "he was uite a goodgardener, although %robably didn2t fancy doing it all year round. "he could cook u% astorm if reuired and used to %roduce the most wonderfully creative birthday cakes4scul%tures from butter icing, a very %articular art. &emembering her ingenuity made hersmile, but then she allowed herself a moment of bitterness for the number of dinnersshe2d cooked for her e#)husband2s boring clients. That led her thoughts to the issue ofwhether he was an e#)husband if they weren 2t actual ly divorced yet. 9es,

definitely, she decided. $e was no longer her husband, he was the husband of the-loosie, even if they weren2t married."he could always cook in a %ub or something. That might be fun. "he

could be a barmaid and wear the s%arkly red to% that had gone down so wellwith her fellow guests. Then she remembered that barmaids needed to be youngertoo. And maybe, if she was stuck in the kitchen all the time, she wouldn2t en3oy workingin a %ub. 1r a caf>6 A nice, genteel caf> where they served teacakes and scones6 $ermind had drifted back to her childhood. The avender Tearooms. They2d servedwonderful things4 3ewel biscuits, 3a% cakes, macaroons, (erman biscuits, Dundee cake,Battenberg cakes, all sorts and all made on the %remises. 9es, that idea definitelya%%ealed. "he wasn2t sure that such establishments still e#isted, e#ce%t %ossibly in

&ichmond, famous for its aids of $onour confections and several miles away, but itwas a good start.Eventually she2d gone to slee% thinking about her garden, and wondering

which of the roses were out. ould the -loosie learn to love her


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5ui::es are always better when you win them, though we liked it too. hat2sAvocet like62

5ery sleek. +ice, but not uite enough like a boat for me.2 Dora frowned. 20t2sstrange but 0 had had nothing to do with boats before a cou%le of days ago and now 0think 0 could get to really like them.2

5They do grow on you. The Three Sisters feels like home now.2 Jo wi%ed at thecou%le of crumbs that had fallen from Dora2s toast. 2+ow, can 0 be rude and ask if you leftthe bathroom tidy67

Dora nodded, chewing the other slice of toast. 2"%ick and s%an. 0 even wi%ed outthe washbasin with my towel.2 "he swallowed. 202ve got another if using the washingmachine is difficult.2

50t2s not, and 02ve got loads of towels too. 02d 3ust bought a new lot when


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Jo rushed u% to the wheelhouse to usher the cou%le in. "he recognised them fromthe %revious night but had no clue what their names were. 2$ello/2 she said warmly.2$ow lovely to see you/7

They were a cou%le a bit younger and uite a lot thinner than she was. "adly, notonly could Jo not remember their names, she couldn2t remember if she2d liked them.

Being younger and thinner was only forgivable in nice %eo%le.They were certainly friendly. 2$ello, Jo. All right after last night67hat had ha%%ened last night that she might not be all right6 aybe they were

3ust asking if she had a hangover. "he smiled gaily, ho%ing she hadn2t a%%eared drunk.2Absolutely fine. 9ou67

The woman grimaced. 2Bit fragile. But you didn2t have brandy after the coffee,did you62

5+o. 02m sorry, 0 can2t remember, which is your barge625e haven2t got one. e2re thinking of buying one though, so we2re doing

our research,2 said the man. 2*an 0 look at the engine67Jo indicated the suare of metal that covered the engine com%artment. "he hadn2t

%enetrated this s%ace yet, having decided against it when she saw she had to ste% sidewaysdown a vertical ladder to reach it. "he had no idea if the engine room was like ano%erating theatre or a midden and she didn2t much care. "he2d abnegated all res%onsibilityin that area. 2$el% yourself.7

The man swung back the heavy cover and looked down the abyss. 2$m. (ot aboiler suit 0 can %ut on67

Jo rummaged in the lockers under the seats that were bui lt in round the tableand %roduced one. 0t was ichael2s. "he had stuffed all signs of him into the lockerwhen she had first arrived and was feeling %articularly anti)men.

Jo turned to his wife. 29ou don2t want to see the engine room, do you62 The

woman was wearing white trousers and a blue)and)white)stri%ed Breton to%. "he shookher head. 20 want to see the cabin, where they would have lived in the old days.25That2s where 0 live now,2 said Jo, trying not to resent the woman for looking good

in a to% that should have %ut %ounds on her.But her little cabin was a %icture, she decided. 0t had looked neglected and

unloved when she had first moved on to the barge because ichael had always sle%t inthe cabin Dora now had. But Jo had fallen in love with this little s%ace and she2d made it her%ro3ect. The redecorating had hel%ed rid her of the sense of worthlessness


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the barge to dine in. The bed was covered with a %atchwork beds%read she had broughtfrom home, because it had been made by her mother and was, therefore, hers.

Behind the %anelling were lots of little cu%boards and storage s%aces that werefine for the se%arate, non)iron clothes that Jo lived in these days. There was even a tiny en)suite bathroom behind one door. The whole s%ace became a shower unit, although Jo had

never investigated how this worked as, owing to lack of headroom, you had to sit on theloo while you washed. "he did use the washbasin and loo and had now %ut a little vase offlowers on the shelf. There was another vase of flowers in the bedroom %art and all herclothes were stuffed away in the cu%boards.

5All it needs is a little stove,2 she said to rs "tri%y)To%, 2and it would be %erfect.25here would you %ut a stove62 the woman asked, more a%%alled than curious.50 think it must have gone where this %late on the ceiling is.2 Jo frowned. 202m not

sure it2s called a ceiling. Boats are strange %laces.7rs "tri%y)To% laughed, and Jo decided to forgive her for being younger

and thinner. After all, she did have smoker2s lines round her mouth ) she wasn2t%erfect.

5"o, are you looking forward to having a barge62 Jo asked.50 think so. 0 love your little curtains for the %ortholes. Two sets of curtain track/

"o diddy/250 know. 02m not a net)curtain %erson, generally, but when 0 saw the two sets 0

3ust had to have some.2 ichael hadn2t bothered with them because he used one of theother cabins. 2There2s a shower you can stand u% in down the other end, too.2

502d love to see.7Jo decided to make a confession. 202m terribly sorry, 02ve com%letely forgotten

your name.25Terri ) and my husband2s Donald.7

Did she look hurt that Jo hadn2t remembered6 Jo didn2t think so. 2Terri, such a%retty name, how could 0 have forgotten. *ome and see the rest of it. Dora, my lodger,barge)mate or whatever you call it, is making brownies. 0 wonder if they2re cooked62 0fshe got a 3ob in a tearoom, she2d have to ask Dora for the reci%e.

The smell of chocolate wafted out of the saloon in a satisfying way, and it lookedimmaculate, to Jo2s eyes anyway.

5ell, this is the saloon, where everything ha%%ens,2 she announced.50t2s very ) cosy,2 said Terri, obviously unable to think of anything else to say.Jo couldn2t think of anything either. 2Dora,2 she said, brisker than she meant to be.

2Those brownies smell heavenly. Are they ready yet62

502m afraid not.2 Dora was a%ologetic. 2About another fifteen minutes 0 think.7-eeling des%air cree%ing over her, Jo said, 202ll show Terri the bathroom. 0wonder if Donald2s 1' in the engine room62 0f he wasn2t, how, she wondered, wouldthey get him out u% the vertical ladder6 The bathroom %assed muster. Dora had hiddenher wet towel and the towels that were left were neatly folded over the rail. The loo seatwas down and there were no traces of tooth%aste on the ta%s. There were definitelyadvantages to living a man)free life, reflected Jo as Terri e#claimed at finding a bathroom


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big enough to have a washing machine in it.


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50 like it curly,2 said Jo. 20t makes you look delightfully dishevelled. Bed hair,2 sheadded. 20sn2t that what2s it2s called62

50 don2t know, but it sounds good.7Dora ho%ed that Jo wouldn2t take too long %utting on her make)u%, and she

didn2t. "he rea%%eared from the bathroom a few minutes later and said, 2et the

com %etition beware. +ow 02m going to o%en strange doors and run my finger over thesurfaces looking for dust/ 'im and Aggie have nothing on me/25+o one did that, did they62 Dora was horrified.5ell, no,2 Jo conceded, 2at least, only meta%horically.75*ome on,2 said Dora, not u% to being meta%horical 3ust then. 2here shall we

start625et2s find Bill and iranda,2 said Jo. 2e know them, it won2t be so shy)

making.7

The!epple"hite was a re%lica Dutch barge that Bill and iranda had had built a

cou%le of years ago. Jo remem bered being told all this, and shared the information withDora as they searched among the flotilla of visiting boats that were moored on a sectionof the river.

51h, there it is,2 said Dora. 2They2ve got it written in big letters on that thing at theback.2

50t2s a stern, Dora,2 said Jo. 20 know very little about boats and what you call thingson them, but 0 do know that much.2

502ll try and remember,2 said Dora, %enitent.502m so glad it2s you,2 said iranda, when she saw them both. 202m not uite ready.

0 went on a bit of an antiue hunt yesterday and 0 haven2t found s%aces for everything yet.25$ello, Jo,2 said Bill. 2And you must be Dora. elcome aboard.7

There was a huge rectangular table in the middle of the saloon and it was coveredwith bo#es and carrier bags.

5"ee what 0 mean62 said iranda, who had ushered them down. 2This table takesa%art com%letely and all the bits stow away, and the saloon looks much better when it2sdown, but there2s all this stuff.2

5ell, you bought it,2 said Bill good)humouredly.50 got such a good deal, 0 had to have it. But that was the trouble, 0 had to have all

of it and some of it is rubbish, really. ook at this mirror.2 "he %icked u% a little mirrorwith a very elaborate gold frame.

5But it2s adorable/2 said Jo.

50t2s terribly damaged,2 said Bill. 20t2s not worth trying to restore. 9ou might aswell 3ust chuck it.251h, you can2t/2 said Jo, taking it from iranda. 20t could be so %retty/25But it is very tatty. ook, that cherub has lost a foot, you can2t see what sort of

flowers those were, and about eighty %er cent of the curlicues are missing.2 iranda,whilst obviously agreeing that the mirror could be %retty, felt obliged to %oint out itsmany flaws.


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502m sure something could be done with it,2 said Jo, still hanging on to it. 2hat2sthe frame made of62

5*arved wood, decorated with gold leaf,2 said iranda. 2ery tricky to restore.25And you don2t know anyone who could re%air it6250t wouldn2t be worth trying to track someone down, and it2s a rare craft,2 said Bill.

5Then could 0 have a go62 asked Jo, reluctant to %ut the mirror down. 20t would besuch fun and it2s so sad to think of it 3ust being chucked away, or given to a car)boot sale orsomething.2

5$ave you ever done anything like that62 asked Bill. 20t2s not easy.2502ve never done anything %recisely like this, but 0 used to en3oy restoring things. 0

had a book with techniues in it, like -rench %olishing, lacuering, things like that. 02mstubborn really. 0 don2t like to be defeated.2

5But do you r eally want to s%end al l that t ime6 0t would take ages.2 Bill%icked u% a bo#, obviously intending to %ut it somewhere else, and then %ut it back,defeated.

59ou used to make wonderful sugar flowers and things,2 said Dora. 2Do youremember that cake you made for um2s forti eth6 0t was cove red withflowers and butterflies.2

502d been on a course,2 said Jo. 20 used to go on a lot of courses.2 "he sighed,allowing nostalgia to make her sad for a moment.

5Are you really interested in that old mirror62 iranda seemed to sense the di% inJo2s mood.

51h yes.2 Jo brightened u%. 20 love the old glass ) it2s really flattering.25Then why don2t you see what you can do6 0f it turns out well, 0 can %ut it in the

sho% and you can have the money. 0f you don2t want to kee% it,2 said iranda.50 can2t really kee% too much while 02m on The Three Sisters,' said Jo. 2And 0

don2t even know if 0 can do it.2 "he couldn2t decide if she wanted the challenge or feltdaunted by it.

5$ave a go,2 said iranda encouragingly. 2And 0 have uite a lot of other bits and%ieces that need restoring if it turns out you have a knack for it.2

51h wow/2 said Dora, finding a little dish with a recumbent nym%h,currently without a head, along the edge. 2$ow would you re%air her62

5m. +ot sure,2 mused Jo. 202d %robably try to find another head of about theright si:e, to give me the basis, and then 3ust fiddle and carve until she looked right.2

5Tell you what,2 said iranda briskly. 202ll %ut together all the things most inneed of restoration and you can see what you can do with them. 0 must say,2 she went on,

202ll be thrilled if you do find you have a talent for it. Those small items are verycollectable.2502ll give it a go, and if 0 can2t, well, you2re no worse off.75And now are you two going to look at my barge, or not62 asked Bill, sounding a

little %athetic.51h yes,2 said Dora. 202m looking forward to it.25As long as 0 don2t have to look at the engine,2 said Jo. 20 don2t do engines.7


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*ha%ter -our5They2re all so different/2 said Dora to Jo later as they walked along the 3etty

to where the ne#t ladder down to the barges was. 20magine, a full)length bath with ase%arate shower in a boat/25"ome of these Thames barges are massive,2 said Jo, 2more like loft conversions

than boats, really. They offer a huge amount of living s%ace.25And those heavenly wood floors in that last one/25ood floors are nice,2 agreed Jo, 2but they gather dust terribly. *ar%et kee%s it to

itself until you hoover it. ood floors need forever dusting. 02ve got them at home. 0mean, 0 had them at my old house. Talk about dust bunnies ) dust "hetland %onies, rather.7

The image made Dora smile. 2That sounds rather sweet/ 0t makes me feel cruel forswee%ing them u%. 1h my goodness, will they let us on this one6 0t looks fabulous/2 "hewasn2t sure if Jo had referred to her old house as home from habit, or if it went dee%er. "he

didn2t want her to be sad, not 3ust now.Jo didn2t seem sad and negotiated the various rails and ro%es that needed ste%%ing

over with efficiency. Dora, not so familiar with such obstacles, took a little longer to landon the deck of the!ilde#arde.

A young woman was there to receive them. "he smiled with %rofessional charm.2$i there, welcome to!ilde#arde.

"he2s a lu#e motor, thirty metres long, with a beam of five metres.251h, right. +ice,2 said Jo and Dora, more or less together. 202m *arole. The owner2s

unable to be here right now, so 02m showing %eo%le round.250s it for sale, then62 asked Jo.

51h no. 02m 3ust showing it off for arcus because he couldn2t be here.70 wonder, thought Jo. arcus wasn2t all that common a name.50 used to know a arcus,2 she said, 2years ago, when


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if this arcus was nice to her. hat sort of man would leave his woman to show off hisboat, unless they were married or something6

5And there2s a hydraulic lift for the car,2 *arole went on. 2arcus is using it now,but it means when you arrive in the middle of the countryside, you can 3ust drive off tothe sho%s or a hotel. "hould you want to, of course.7

0t seemed to Dora that *arole did want to. The barge was %robably arcus2s heart2sdesire and she 3ust went along with it. ore fool her.5ery useful,2 said Jo. 2Er ) can we go inside now6 02m much more interested in

the inside of boats=25Barges,2 corrected *arole... than the outside.2 Jo smiled firmly.51f course, so am 0, really,2 said *arole, 2but!ilde#arde's got so many wonderful

features, 0 don2t want to forget any of them. This is the wheelhouse,2 she announced%roudly a moment or two later.

Dora had by this time seen enough barges to sto% being ama:ed at how differentfrom each other they all were, but this wheelhouse was something else entirely. Therewere no %lants here, for a start.

0t had what looked like a flight deck. There was a %added chair to sit on whilesteering, and a raft of electronic eui%ment that *arole was now e#%laining to a %atientJo.

Dora wandered down the stairs, wondering vaguely why there was no oneelse looking at it. "he would have assumed that most %eo%le would lea% on to this bargeas soon as %ossible. "he liked the interior. The saloon had tongue)and)groove %anellingin a %ale coloured wood. There was an unlit wood)burning stove on which *arole itwould have to have been *aroleC, had %laced a bunch of dried flowers. There was %alecar%et on the floor, but the furniture was arranged with such %erfect symmetry it

could have been done with a ruler. 0t was beautiful but soulless, she thought.There was, however, a bookcase. Dora walked over to it to give herself somethingto look at while she waited for Jo and *arole to come down. The books, she notedwith horror, were in al%habetical order and there were no novels. "he shuddered."he didn2t think she should go into the other rooms until she was ushered, it would seemlike %rying, so she went to the window, which was definitely a window rather than a%orthole, and looked out. Across the water she could see The Three Sisters. -rom here,she looked uite elegant, and even Dora could a%%reciate she had lovely lines. 0nside,however, she was definitely a boat. Thick, round %ortholes let light into the saloon butyou couldn2t stare out of them. The large windows in!ilde#arde offered brilliant views.

5&ight, this is the saloon,2 said *arole as she entered, Jo behind her looking tired.

2"ee how s%acious it is625There is a lot of living accommodation in these barges, isn2t there62 said Jo.5And the owner2s cabin is to die for/2 enthused *arole, convincing Dora that she

had, if not actually died there, e#%erienced what the -rench call 2the little death2 in it.hat was arcus like6 she wondered, %itying *arole for allowing herself to be used byhim6 But then she ticked herself off for being 3udgemental. "he didn2t know any thingabout their relationshi% and, after all, she was hardly an e#%ert on relationshi%s herself.


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The bedroom was %rett y wonderful , Dora had to concede. "he noticed Jowanting to hate it, too. They both thought the built)in mahogany bed was elegant, withdrawers underneath that slid, in *arole2s words, 2like silk2.

5To match the sheets, %resumably,2 murmured Jo, to Dora2s %rivate amusement.51h yes, all the bed linen is silk,2 re%lied *arole, and then she frowned, aware that

something she2d said had not been uite right.2(oodness,2 said Jo.5And all the drawers are all lined with scented drawer liners.25ow,2 said Jo, obviously struggling to kee% u% the enthusiasm.5And this2 ) the ta)ra was uns%oken but obvious ) 2is the en suite.7hatever she had been e#%ecting, and today Dora2s ideas of what you were

likely to find on a barge had been hugely e#%anded, it wasn2t a sunken bath on araised %linth surrounded by tiles featuring naked gods and goddesses, not in turuoiseblue, anyway.

"he glanced at Jo, ho%ing their eyes wouldn2t meet. $er mouth was o%en and thensna%%ed shut. Then she o%ened it again. 2$ow often do you have to fill the tanks to have abath here on a regular basis62 said Jo.

There was a moment of silence. 2e only fill the bath when we2ve got shoresidefacilites. 1therwise, it2s the shower. 0t2s a %ower one, of course, and has multi%lesettings.7

Dora and Jo both ga:ed at it admiringly.5"o do you go cruising with her much62 asked Jo. They had left the bathroom

and were back in the saloon. -or someone who had declared herself as chronicallyseasick, not to mention terrified, she was giving a good im%ression of a %erson eager totake the barge across the *hannel and e#%lore the canals of Euro%e.

*arole lost some of her confidence. 2+ot really. At least, not since arcus and 0=7

The sound of someone arriving on deck caused *arole to give a meerkat)like start.502ll 3ust go and welcome the ne#t grou%,2 she said, and made her way swiftly u%

the stairs.Dora had been e#%ecting Jo to make their e#cuses and follow her u%, but she had

%icked u% a %hotogra%h and was staring at it. hen she looked u%, her eyes were full oflaughter.

50 think it2s the same arcus/ 9ears older, of course, but 02m sure it2s him/ $owfunny/2

5That2s weird/ $ow did you know him62502m 3ust trying to remember. $e was a friend of a friend, 0 think, and 3oined our

social grou%, 3ust after


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51h yes. 0 remember us girls thought he was devastating, in a sort of rugged way.+ot handsome, like


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other. "he even felt guilty for not wanting to cry any more. But that, she was sure, wasbecause she2d used u% all her tears. "he wasn2t really shallow and callous, 3ust worn outwith wee%ing.

5Are you aslee% or 3ust risking skin cancer67A male voice, familiar and 3ocular, woke her. "he blinked u% at Tom. 20 don2t think

you get skin cancer in ten minutes, not in England.7$e shook his head. 2Better not take the chance.75here did you s%ring from62 she asked.5ant a


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59ou2re not accusing me of being a ligger, are you62 said Tom indignantly.59es,2 said iranda calmly.Dora decided not to ask what a ligger was, and followed Tom u% the ladder and

on to the dockside.

*ha%ter -iveDora decided she liked Tom. $e was very different from John, who was kind

and gently funny, but not fun in the way that Tom was. And the 3oy of Tom was the factthat he was going travelling. 0n the unlikely event that something did develo% betweenthem, the relationshi% would have a natural end, which made it all the more e#citing to begoing somewhere with a boy she hadn2t known since she was seventeen.

5(ive us your hand ,2 sai d To m, and he haul ed Dora u% the last bit ofladder. 20t2s a little way away, is that 1'62

5*ool,2 said Dora. "he also liked being with Tom. "he didn2t feel uite so safe asshe had with John, who had looked after her, but he was introducing her to new things

and hadn2t indicated that he wanted anything more than friendshi%. And that could easilybe because there was no one else his age around.

5There are some %eo%le off the other boats who2ll %robably come over.259ou mean, %eo%le who live on the moorings, like Jo62 Tom laughed. 2+o, not

like Jo. They2re nice, but )well . . .2 $e hesitated. 29ou2ll see.70t was uite a long walk to 2Tom2s (aff2. They went out of the dockside area,

with the %ub, corner sho% and down a road leading to some trees.5There are some boats tied u% on an island,2 e#%lained Tom. 29ou can2t get cars to

it, and it2s a bit unofficial, but we like it.25$ow do you mean, unofficial62

50t means they could throw us all off with no notice, but it suits us. +ot as handyfor work as my official mooring with the boatyard, but worth a bit of inconvenience,2 headded, %erha%s sensing Dora2s horror at the thought of such an insecure life.

50 don2t think 0 could co%e with that,2 she said, almost to herself.59ou should get out more,2 said Tom and Dora laughed. $e was right, she should.0n s%ite of this resolution, she still felt nervous as he led her over a very rickety

wooden bridge on to the island. 0t was covered with tall trees, so much so that therehardly seemed s%ace for the slimy %ath that led round to the other side, where the boatswere. $owever, it was still only late afternoon and nothing too dreadful could ha%%en )she ho%ed.

50t2s a nature reserve really,2 said Tom, 2which is why we2re not su%%osed to be here,

but we don2t bother the birds.75$ow do you know6 $ave you asked them67Tom nodded. 29eah. They were cool.7Dora bit her li%. 0t wasn2t good for Tom, or indeed any man, to think that their

3okes worked all the time.


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Tom2s boat was not easy to get on to. 0t was a boat of the ty%e Dora felt should havebeen made of %lastic and floated among the bubble bath. 0t was small and wide for its lengthand was dra%ed in old and faded tar%aulin. "he regarded it dubiously.

5$ere,2 said Tom, who had lea%t aboard without her noticing how he did it. 2


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Dora shrugged. 2$e2s very handsome. hat2s his name675-luffy, or the "urveyor.25hat67Tom shrugged. 2A surveyor was doing a survey on a boat once and the cat

went down every ga% and hole, whenever a %lank was lifted, to check out

conditions. -luffy is far too kitsch a name for a cat like that, don2t you think6 Anyway,enough of this, would you like a drink62 Tom went to the bow of the boat where a two)burner gas stove and tiny sink indicated a galley area.

5m. "omething soft, %lease.2502ll see what 02ve got.2 $e o%ened a cu%board beneath the sink and rummaged

about while Dora stroked the "urveyor in self)defence. $e seemed as greedy for affectionas he was for food and she felt if she didn2t stroke him hard, he might decide she was a tastysnack that Tom had brought home for him.

5"it down. There must be something here that isn2t washing)u% liuid,2 mutteredTom.

5Are you feeding me or the cat62 Dora overcame her sueamishness andsubsided on to a cushion , more because of the limited headroom than anything else."he could only stand u% right in the very middle of the boat. Tom had to hunch overeven there.

The cat moved on to her knee, s%illing over the edges of her la% and on to thecushion, and Dora was beginning to notice the smell less when there was a knock on theto% of the boat. Tom was still rummaging in bo#es.

5$ello/ Are you u% for a visit6 1r are you naked62 called a husky female voicewith a *ockney accent.

5*ome in,2 yelled Tom, sounding relieved. 2$ave you got any soft drinks atyours67

A young woman came down the ste%s. "he had hennaed hair, black footless tightsand a short net skirt. "he was very thin and, while not %retty, had a uirky charm, like asubversive fairy.

5$iya, Tom,2 she said as she kissed him. "he regarded Dora through slightlynarrowed eyes and instantly Dora felt fat and decidedly uncool. 2ho2s this62

5This is Dora. Dora, this is Bib, she lives with her %artner on a boat moored at theend of the island. An old %ilot cutter.7

Dora smiled and nodded, wondering simultaneously how anyone could becalled Bib, and what a %ilot cutter was like.

5$i, Dora,2 said Bib, regarding her in a kindly, but rather disinterested way. 2"owhy do you want soft drinks, then62

5Dora2s thirsty,2 said Tom with a hint of firmness. 202ve got home)made wine foryou.7

Bib stretched and yawned, e#%osing her very flat stomach. "he had a ringin her navel and black)%ainted fingernails. "he curled gracefully on to a cushion. 20 haven2tgot no soft drinks, sorry. $amo might have some ginger beer. $e likes that stuff. $e2ll behere later.2


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502m %o%ular because of the home)made wine,2 e#%lained Tom, although Doradidn2t believe this was the only reason.

5Did you make it62 Dora looked around her, thinking it would be difficult tomake a cu% of tea, let alone wine down here.

5+o. y mother %icks random fruits and berries and then doesn2t know what

to do with them. hen they start to ferment she turns them into wine. y %arents can2tdrink it, it2s too disgusting, so they give it to me.25Tom2s %arents wanted him to do law,2 said Bib. 2They haven2t got their heads

round him being a boat boy yet, have they, love6251f course they have,2 said Tom. 2They don2t like it but they make the best of it.7-ootste%s were heard overhead. 2That2ll be $amo. $amo/2 he roared u%

the hatch. 2(ot any ginger beer, bottled water, anything like that625+ah ) Jim might have.7Jim could have been on another %lanet and he would still have heard $amo2s call.Two men came thundering down into the boat. 2$i, Tom/ 1h, com%any.2

5Dora,2 said Tom. 2Dora, this is Jim and $amo.7Dora nodded, reluctant to e#%ose her middle)class accent until she had to.hich one was Jim and which $amo she2d have to %ick u% as she went along. "heshiftedalong a bit so one of the young men in ri%%ed 3eans and a T)shirt could sit ne#tto her. $e had tattooed arms, a shaved head and earrings all the way round his ear.The other one had dreadlocks, so once she2d worked out which was which, they would beeasy to tell a%art.


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Dora couldn2t work out if Bib was being hostile, or if it was her own insecuritiesthat made her think she was. Dora did sound rather %rim, even to her own ears. 20 didn2tknow anyone else near ondon, and she offered.2

5*ool,2 said Bib. 2*heers/2 "he raised her glass.Dora was forced to 3oin in the toast and took the tiniest si% she thought she2d get

away with. 0t made her cough.50t2s 1' after the first few si%s,2 said Bib, watching her.Dora took a bigger si%. 2"o how do you all come to live here62 "he guessed that

Bib wouldn2t leave her alone until she2d asserted herself a little.5$amo an2 me heard about the island and got the boat towed u%. Jim was already

here. 0t2s a good community. "afe.70nstinct told Dora that Bib didn2t mean 2safe2 in the normal sense but she 3ust

nodded.5That means it2s a nice %lace to live,2 said Tom.5


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situation where she couldn2t refuse without looking incredibly middle)class and snooty6Tom glanced at her and said, 29ou lot stay here if you like, but Dora and 0 have got togo to a barbecue.7

51oh/2 said $amo. 202ve never been to a barbecue,2 he sim%ered. 2*an 0 come withyou62

5+o,2 said Tom firmly. 2*ome on, Dora.2 $e took her hand and heaved her toher feet with more strength than courtesy.5"orry about that,2 said Tom when they were crossing the bridge back to reality.

2They2re really nice %eo%le, but 02d forgotten they can be a bit scary to girls like you.7Dora was indignant, although she knew e#actly what he meant. 2hat do you

mean6 02m a grown)u%, you know.25But you need to get out more. e2ve agreed that.7Dora didn2t answer. They2d reached the mainland now and she felt more

confident. 2et2s go to the barbecue. That2s getting out, isn2t it625+ot really. 02m not sure 0 really want to go now.7

5ell, 0 do need to check in with Jo.25hy don2t you go and find her and then meet me back here and we candecide6 0 need to blag a shower off someone.7

Dora was leaning u% against the rail of a barge when Tom found her. "he had seen

Jo and they had both made sure the other was all right, and now she had begun to get boredand was very %leased to see him. $e smelt of shower gel and tooth%aste and lookedslightly dam% but very clean. 0t seemed that his shower had given him e#tra bounce andenthusiasm.

5$ello,2 she said.5$ello yourself. isten, why don2t we go downriver to this %ub 0 know62

5Aren2t we su%%osed to be going to a barbecue625ell, yes, but there2s only so much of the middle classes 0 can take.7Dora smiled at him. 202m middle class. And so are you.750 know, but 02m trying to get over it.25"o why did you come to the rally6250 thought 0 might %ick u% some work on something that actually moves. +ow, do

you want to come or not67+ot entirely sure if going with him meant handing in her membershi% card of the

iddle *lasses he so muchdes%ised, Dora considered. "he didn2t want to disa%%ointTom, and nor did she want him going off without her. 0t wasn2t as if she wanted to go

to the barbecue either. 2hat2s the %ub like625+ice.2 $e took this uestion as her agreement. 2isten, 02ll 3ust go and ask Bill if 0

can borrow his tender and he can tell Jo where you2re going.7Dora decided she would go with Tom to the %ub. &ecently, her resolutely

middle)class, middle)England roots had started to bother her. But although she likedTom, and he was very easygoing, she didn2t feel entirely comfortable being alone withhim. The trouble was, she2d forgotten ) if indeed she2d ever known ) how to be with aboy who wasn2t John. "he didn2t want to give out the wrong messages by mistake.


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John, she considered, had hardly ever been a boy ) he was always a young man. Tomwould have called him a 9oung -ogey, she knew. hich would have made her, shesu%%osed, a 9oung -ogeyette. "he shuddered.

5&ight,2 said Tom, bouncing into view. 202ve got Bill2s tender. e2re goingdownriver a bit.7

Dora didn2t ask what a tender was, assuming, correctly, that she would find outsoon enough.Tom was very good at rowing. Dora sat back in her seat in the stern and

watched him %ulling the oars, some how making the little boat go where he wanted it to,with only the occasional glance over his shoulder for direction. At first Dora felt a bitnervous about being in the middle of a big river in such a tiny craft, but Tom uicklybrought it into the side a little, where she felt safer.

5e 3ust had to get out of the current. e2re fine here, in the eddies.7Dora decided she didn2t need to know what an eddy was, and thought she2d

more or less worked it out anyway.8"o, tell me about this %ub. 0t2ll have to be good to make it worth all this e#ercise.7Tom grinned . 20 haven 2t noticed you taking much e#ercise, madam.25atching you is uite enough for me.2 "he made a face and ho%ed it wasn2t a

smirk.$e laughed and %ulled more strongly at the oars, his heels %ressed against the

stretcher in the bottom of the boat, his thighs taking the strain.59ou2ll have to row home again,2 she said, as at last he directed the boat into a

sli%way.$e glanced over his shoulder to see where he was going. 21h no, it2ll be your turn

then.25But 02ve never rowed a boat in my life/ e2d ca%si:e or go round and round in

circles.25That is %robably what would ha%%en, but how have you got to be your age and

not learnt to row6 +ow you stay sitting down while 0 get the boat u%.2 $e lea%t ashoreand %ulled the boat until the stern was ashore. Then he came and hel%ed her out. 2ell62he said.

Dora, who thought it had been a rhetorical uestion, %ut her nose in the air. 202mvery young and 02ve led a sheltered life.7

Tom laughed. 2aybe 0 should unshelter you. e2ll start with getting you a drinkyou2ve never had before. Are you 1' for sitting outside6 0t2s a lovely evening.7

The %ub was crowded and almost all the tables outside were taken but Tom

s%otted one where the %eo%le were 3ust leaving and ni%%ed over to it. 2&ight, 02ll get ussome drinks.7hile he was gone, Dora watched the %eo%le around her and then the birds

swoo%ing and diving, catching insects. "he tried to identify them; they were swallows,swifts or martins, but she could never remember which was which.

They reminded her of Tom a bit, swoo%ing and diving on life, a%%arently atrandom, yet %ur%oseful.


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$e %ut a drink down on a mat in front of her. 0t was in a half %int glass and wascloudy.

50t looks like an enlarged version of a very dodgy urine sam%le,2 she said. 2haton earth is it62

5"crum%y, rough cider. Actually, it2s a bit of a tough one to start with.7

Dora took a si%. 0t tasted of vinegar that might have been a%%les a very long timeago. 20t2s vile.2

5But it2s chea%.250t2s not fair,2 said Dora, risking another taste. 29ou invite me for a drink and then

give me something only fit to clean brass with. +ow that2s something 0 know a lot about.25hat625*leaning brass. y mother used to make me go and clean it for an old lady

when 0 was a Brownie.25$ow sweet. 0 can 3ust %icture you in a Brownie uniform.250 had those culotte things and a yellow baseball ca%. y mother used to hel% out.

"he made me sew on all my own badges, although the other girls2 mothers always did itfor them.25as your mother uite strict, then625De%ends what you mean by strict.250 mean ) did she let you bunk off school to go to (lastonbury6 Things like that.7Dora %ut down her glass so she could react with a%%ro%riate horror and

disbelief. 29ou have got to be 3oking/ y mother wouldn2t have let me go to(lastonbury even if it didn2t involve bunking off. And she made my dentist a%%ointmentsduring the holidays so 0 wouldn2t miss a second of school. 0t might have been because 02man only child, she only had me to focus on.2

5&ight, a full)on mother then. 02m an only child too, but fortunately, my motherwas a bit more laid)back. 0 went to my first festival when 02d done my (*"Es ) it wasafter my e#ams so um was fairly cool with it.7

Dora took time to imagine a mother as rela#ed as that. +ow she came to thinkabout it, 'aren used to go to festivals, but maybe that had been after Dora had startedgoing out with John. "he took the tiniest si% of cider she could manage so she couldn2tactually taste it; it came a close second to the home)made wine. 20 haven2t ever been to afestival. John wasn2t into that sort of thing.2

5John67"he hadn2t meant to mention John, but as he was largely res%onsible for how she2d

s%ent the most recent %art of her life, he had been bound to cro% u%. 2E#)everything. e

went out for ever, were engaged. +ot any more.25"o, are you suffering from a broken heart62 he asked with a lightheartedness thattook away any embarrassment Dora might feel.

"he shook her head , laughing at his directness. 2*ertainly not. ook,would you mind if 0 didn2t drink that6 0t really is foul.2

502ll get you something else.25+o, it2s my turn. $ere ) here2s my %urse. Take it and get us both drinks.7


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Tom ignored her outstretched hand. 2Dora, have you ever bought a drink in a%ub before67

Dora felt herself blush. 29es, of course, but not in ondon.250 don2t think this counts as ondon.250t has a tube station, which in my book means it2s in ondon. +ow, do you want

a drink or not625Tell you what, if you come u% to the bar with me, 02ll %ay, and you can have what

you really like ) a gin and tonic or something. 1r a shooter. They do teuila slammers.7Dora had it in her mind that to drink a teuila slammer, you had to slam the glass

down on the table and catch the teuila in your mouth as it flew u%wards, but she didn2tthink she wanted to share this with Tom 3ust now. "he2d revealed uite enough naivetyalready. 2-ine, what are you having62

5A %int. The Tangleberry ) it2s the one at the end. $ere, take some money.250t2s my round,2 said Dora and got u% before she could think better of it."he2d told Tom that she2d bought drinks before, but actually she hadn2t very

often, and when she had, it had been in the local she2d been going to since she firs t%retended to be of drinking age. "he wasn2t that innocent, she argued as she edged herway through the crowd to the bar, but there were many more things she hadn2t done thanrowed a boat and bought a drink.

0t was a lot easier than she2d feared. The barmaid s%otted her straightaway, shedidn2t have fifteen men %ushing in when it was her turn, and no one lookedremote ly sur%rised to see her. 0t was a bit of an anticlima#, really.

"he came back, carrying his %int and her own half of lager carefully through thecrowd. As a stroke of inde %endence, she2d bought a cou%le of %ackets of cris%s too.

5&eally, Dora,2 said Tom, 2is that all you can think of to have6 $ow am 0 going toget you %issed if you only drink lager62

50 should tell you, Tom, there2s no %oint in you getting me %issed. 02m really notu% for anything a%art from a 3olly night out. As friends.7

Tom grinned. 2-air enough. 0f we2re friends, we should %lay a game. hat aboutTruth or Dare67

Dora nearly s%luttered into her drink, something she seemed to have done a lot ofthat evening. 2+o/2

51h, go on. 02ve been thinking and 0 3ust reckon you should do a few dares.25hat sort of dares62 Dora had always faintly des%ised herself for being so law)

abiding, and wondered if it was too late to change.50 don2t know ) dares that would make you braver and feel better about yourself.2

5hat, now67Tom became thoughtful. 2Actually, 0 was thinking we should do it over thene#t few months, befo re 0 go travelling.2

5Do what6 9our dares67$e n odded. 20 wouldn2 t ask you t o do an ything 0 wouldn2t do myself ) or

hadn2t done ) but for instance, 0 could dare you to go and cam% at a festival.25ell, of course 02d do that. 02d %robably take something to make sure 0 didn2t

have to go to the loo for the entire time, but 02d certainly dare.2 "he laughed merrily,


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ho%ing to give the im%ression that she2d find this so unchallenging it was hardly worthasking her to do it. "he %ictured herself wallowing around in mud u% to her arm%itswearing bin liners and getting trench foot.

Tom regarded her s%eculatively, and it made Dora feel uneasy.


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They went on teasing each other until the time came for another drink. Tomturned out his %ockets and his wallet and came u% with a voucher for a $a%%y eal andfifty)seven %ence.

502ll have a look at what 02ve got,2 said Dora. "he delved into her bag and cameacross the letter from her father. "he still hadn2t o%ened it.

5hat2s that62 asked Tom while she looked at it as if it might bite.5A letter from my dad. 0 haven2t had the courage to o%en it yet.25hy on earth not6250t2ll be full of re%roaches. 0 know it.25*ome on, o%en it. 9ou2re %issed, you can roll with the %unches.251'. 1h,2 she said as she drew two sli%s of shiny cardboard and a letter

out of the envelo%e. "he %eered at them. 20t2s two invita tions to a race meetingat *heltenham.2

5hat2s the letter say625Darli#, thou#ht you $i#ht fid a use for these. %u$$y ad & ca't #o. (oy) *ove,

Dad.'Ah,' said Tom, and Dora couldn2t tell if he genuinely thought it was sweet, or

was mocking her for calling her mother ummy.5e could go/ *ould you get time off work675"hould think so. 0 hardly ever take time off.251r should 0 ask Jo6 "he might have a friend she2d like to take.25+o. 9our dad wants you to go. And me, obviously,2 he added, mischievously.Dora giggled. 21f course. hen is it6 9ikes/ 0t2s the day after tomorrow.250 don2t think 0 know anyone else who2d say ?yikes?,2 said Tom.59ou see, 02m broadening your hori:ons.2

5And 02m going to broaden yours. 9ou2ll have to %lace all the bets for us.Dora %retended to %revaricate. 202m not sure 0 should go. 0t2s such short notice.25Dora/ e2re going. And you2re taking my bet and %lacing the bets.250s that one of my tasks62 "he drained her lager, feeling that Tom2s tasks were

going to be easier than she thought. 2+ot sure. 0t2s no good if you2re not really challenged.75And you e#%ect me to do all this without knowing what my reward is67$e nodded. 20t2ll be worth it. Trust me.25That2s such a gamble and 02m not sure 0 a%%rove of gambling. 0 don2t really know

you.25ife2s all about gambling, Dora, and if you don2t do it, it2ll %ass you by.7

Dora was silent for a moment and then said, 29ou2re uite the %hiloso%her,aren2t you625+ot really, but 0 can come out with the %o% %sychology when 0 have to.25And the %o% festival, %resumably.25There are loads on during the summer, but there2s one 0 really want to go to. 02ll

see if 0 can get tickets.25Triffic.2 "he ho%ed her smile didn2t look too false. "he shivered, it was getting

cooler. 2"hall we go home now67


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50f you2ve %romised you2ll do my dares. -ive Dares for Dora. 0t sounds like thetitle of a school story.2

50 hadn2t got you down for an Enid Blyton fan.25hen you agree, 02ll take you home. 1therwise, 02ll make you row.251' then, 0 give in. To be honest, though, 02m not sure 0 can walk straight, let

alone row.7They were in the boat and making good time when Tom said, 2Actually, rowing

home2s a %iece of %iss. e2re with the current all the way.7

*ha%ter "i#Jo ti%%ed her %a%er %late covered with cho% bones and steak scra%s into a black

%lastic bag. Then she found her %lastic mug of red wine and was going back to whereiranda and Bill were sitting when she s%otted *arole, from!ilde#arde. "he was on herown so Jo went u% to her. 2$ello. Do you know many %eo%le here62

5A few.2 *arole regarded Jo as if she didn2t want to be taken %ity on by a fifty)

year)old woman. A fifty)year)old man would have been uite different.50s arcus here62 Jo was aware that *arole didn2t want to talk to her but was

determined to get some sort of conversation out of her, 3ust for the challenge. "he was alsoa bit curious to meet her old acuaintance after all these years.

51h no. $e2s on the *ontinent, on a 3ob.25hat kind of 3ob670t had seemed a reasonable uestion but *arole looked at Jo with incredulity. 2$e2s

delivering a yacht. 0t2s what he does. Don2t you know that671nly slightly tem%ted to tell *arole that she had known arcus before she was

born Jo said, 2+o.7

*arole made a disbelieving gesture. 2But he2s famous in the barge world. $edelivers everyone2s boats. $e2s in onte *arlo at the moment.251n a barge62 A %icture of The Three Sisters'broad and swee%ing lines in such an

e#otic setting made Jo smile.5+o ) what arcus calls a gin %alace.25Ah. 0t2s a shame you couldn2t be with him.7An e#%ression crossed *arole2s face indicating that %erha%s there2d been a

discussion about her being with him and that the answer had been no. "he shook her head.20 have to look after!ilde#arde. At least, during the rally.7

A man wearing a yachting ca% came u%. 2$i there, *arole.2 $e kissed herfirmly on the cheek and %ut his arm round her waist. 2here2s arcus these days then6$e never answers his %hone when 0 ring him.2

5$e2s in onte *arlo. 0 was 3ust telling this lady. $e2s very busy.251h, 0 know he2s busy,2 said the man, not looking at Jo. 2But 0 need him. 02ve got

to get*ucretia down to -aversham for some cosmetic work.25*ouldn2t you %ut her in a ta#i62 said Jo uietly.*arole looked at her in horror and confusion while iranda, who had 3oined the

grou%, chuckled.


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5"orry,2 said Jo, 2is ucretia not your wife67The man finally acknowledged Jo2s e#istence. $e looked at her for a few seconds

while he worked out what she2d said, and then laughed. 2+o, she2s my barge, but that2suite a good 3oke.2

5$e2ll be turning it into one of his own any minute,2 muttered iranda in Jo2s ear.

29ou wait.7The grou% seemed to enlarge, everyone asking or talking about arcus. 21f course,

he2s e#%ensive,2 said a man who seemed to be a friend of r 9achting)*a%, 2but he2s thebest. 0f you2ve got three hundred grand2s worth of vessel to move from A to B, you don2twant to make mistakes.7

Jo gas%ed and then said, 2"urely if you own a barge, you want to drive it yourself6 0don2t mean 0 would want to, 02m only renting. But if 02d bought one . . .2 $er voice tailedaway.

1nly one of the grou% agreed with her. 2e too. 0 wouldn2t %ay an arrogantsod like arcus to take my boat about.7

"o he was an arrogant sod, was he6 ell, he2d had that %otential, even back then,thought Jo, although she noticed *arole hadn2t even blinked at the man2s caustic remark.

50t2s all right for you,2 said r 9achting)*a%, who was suee:ing *arolewithout a%%arently knowing he was doing it, 2you2re a +avy ty%e.2

5+othing to do with that. 0 3ust like to %addle my own canoe, or steer my ownbarge, whichever a%%lies. 2 $e smiled at Jo and iranda, who realised she knew him.

5Bruce/ 0 didn2t see you arrive/ $ow lovely to see you/2 iranda said e#citedly.20s Angela with you62

5"he2s sorting her mother out. 0 didn2t bring +illia$ )that2s my barge,2 he saidto Jo, uickly.

5"o you see, you2re not so hot as all that,2 said r Three $undred)Thousand)


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English as a foreign language to becoming a matron at a boys2 %re% school, 2and end u%marrying r *hi%s2. Jo had %rotested that she wasn2t young or %retty enough and evenif she had been, she didn2t want a husband, but as she did like mothering %eo%le, theidea had some merit. $er last thought before she fell aslee% had been that cherub)restorerdid have a nice ring to it.

The following morning over breakfast Dora told Jo about her evening withTom and their %lanned day at the races.5The races/ That sounds such fun/2 said Jo.59ou wouldn2t have wanted to go, would you6 02ve said 02ll take Tom now.251f course, take Tom. $onestly, Dora, the thought of 3ust %ottering around by

myself for the day after all this socia bility is 3ust bliss. 9ou go and 3olly well en3oyyourselves.2

50 should be 3ob)hunting, really, not ?gadding about? as my mother would call it.259our sense of duty is too strong and your father did send you the tickets,

you have to go.2 Jo %atted Dora2s hand. 20f it will make you any ha%%ier, you could looku% the addresses of some 3ob agencies on the 0nternet today and then you can go andvisit them after the races.

Assuming, that is, that you don2t win your fortune and never need to work again.7Dora smiled. 20 am uite tem%ted by the boatyard idea, actually, but 0 can2t hel%

feeling it2s a bit of a co%)out. 0 think 0 need to look at all my o%tions.25ell, have a look round in ondon and then you will have done your duty in

that direction, too.7They s%ent the day sorting themselves out and generally recharging their batteries.

2ell, this is fun,2 said Dora, looking at Tom as they sat o%%osite each other on

the train the ne#t day. $e was looking strange in a borrowed suit and shoes that were too

big for him.50t2s all right for you, your clothes are your own.251nly some of them/ The skirt and little to% are mine, but the 3acket is Jo2s. 0t is a

bit big, but 0 uite like the dra%ey look myself.7Tom grinned. 29ou look great. And thank you for %aying for my train ticket.25ell, thank you for coming with me. 0 %robably should have taken Jo, of course,

but she said she wanted some time to herself.2 Although Jo had been very convincing,Dora did actually sus%ect that she2d 3ust wanted Dora to s%end some time with someoneher own age. 2A day out will do you good,2 she had said, and had hea%ed much %rais eon Dor a2s dad for sending her the ticket s, es%ecially when they realised they

included eating in a cor%orate tent.They en3oyed their train 3ourney. 0t was easy to s%ot fellow race)goers, althoughthis wasn2t a s%ecially laid)on train.

There was a %arty of women in dia%hanous summer frocks and hats, sharingbottles of cham%agne to get them in the mood. There was a foursome of businessmen,going to meet im%ortant shareholders, ho%ing to soften them u% for more ma3orinvestment. And there were cou%les who hadn2t been to the races before, and, like Doraand Tom, were not sure what to e#%ect.


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They discovered all this uite easily. The women and the businessmen were in thesame carriage and the cou%les were s%otted as first Tom and then Dora went to the buffetcar for coffee and a 2nose2, as Tom %ut it. 1ne of the things Dora discovered about Tomthat she really a%%reciated was his fondness for %eo%le)watching. "he loved it herself,but John had always got annoyed if he2d taken her out for a meal and she hadn2t given

him her undivided attention. 1ften Dora was more interested in the conversation goingon behind her. "ettling back into her seat for a bit of a rest, Dora realised that was anotherreason it was as well she and John had s%lit u%.

There was a bus waiting for the train that took them through the leafy streets of*heltenham to the racecourse. By this time there was a feeling of camaraderie between the%eo%le who had all come by train and Dora and Tom had got used to being thought of asa cou%le. As long as we know we2re not one, thought Dora, it2s 1'.

502ve 3ust thought of another dare for you,2 said Tom as they walked through theticket gate.

5Already6 *an2t it be one dare a day6 02ve already agreed to %ut the bets on. +otthat we can really afford it.2

502m afraid 02ve decided that %utting bets on here is 3ust too easy for it to count as adare. +o, what you2ve got to do now is to get us a really good ti%.2

5"orry62 Dora stared at him, not entirely convinced she understood.59ou2ve got to find some gri::led old 3ockey and ask him if he2s got any ti%s. 0t

doesn2t have to be a 3ockey, of course,a shiny)suited ti%ster would be fine, as long as youthink you can trust him.2

5Tom=25isten, Dora, we2re at the races. 0t2ll be much more fun watching if we2ve got a

little interest in them, but as you said, we haven2t got much money, which means wecan2t afford to waste it. 9ou must find out which horse has got the best chance in which

race.2 5That2s really tough.259ou know %erfectly well 02d do it. 9ou2re 3olly lucky 02m not asking you to find a

sugar daddy to actually give you money to bet with.7Dora gul%ed at the thought. 21', but let2s have a good look round everywhere

first and get our bearings. There are lots of retail o%%ortunities too ) we can look, even ifwe can2t s%end.7

Dora waited until they2d had a drink before she set off on her mission. Tom

would wait for her somewhere back in the drinks tent. "he left him uite ha%%ily readingthe %a%er, a %int in front of him. "he wasn2t a great one for talking to strangers, unlike

'aren who had once 3ust asked a man for five %ence to get a car %ark ticket without evenoffering him the %ennies in return. 'aren would have found it easy to find the rightsort of man to give them a winning ti%. Dora was much less confident and had beenha%%y to trot along behind 'aren while she did all the brave stuff.

$owever, now she was on her own with her challenge she did feel curiouslyelated. After all, she didn2t absolutely have to do it, if she really didn2t want to, but shefound she did want to.


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"he went first to the Tote but she didn2t think there were any real gamblers there."he wanted a dyed)in)the)wool %rofessional, someone who earned his living from hiswits, who knew how to %ick a horse without sticking a %in in a list or because they likedthe name. "he went outside, to where the bookies called out the odds, did tick)tack overtheir heads and offered com%licated bets there didn2t seem a ho%e of winning. They were a

colourful crowd. Dora s%otted the businessmen from the train. They had a cou%le ofan#ious)looking men in %ale grey suits and obviously new trilby hats with them. Doraguessed that they weren2t English and this was their first time on a racecourse.

Dora didn2t think she2d find her ti%ster here. There were too many %eo%le makingtoo much noise. "he went to look for the horses.

"he had never been horsey as a child. They were too big and sl i%%e ry to he rmind, and her mother hadn2t encouraged her. 0t was, after all, a very e#%ensivehobby. $owever, she had always a%%reciated the animals from an aesthetic %oint of view.

The saddling enclosure was filling u% with horses for the first race. 0t was too latefor that race, Dora decided, %artly because she wanted not 3ust a ti% for Tom2s challenge,but a winning ti% ) for her own satisfaction.

"he watched the horses being led round the ring, mostly by girls, but also by theoccasional young man who seemed to be wearing clothes too old for him ) the ubiuitoustrilby and tweed 3acket, or shiny suit.

"he was admiring a dark bay horse being led by a girl who looked too slight forthe 3ob when she s%otted a man on the o%%os

going dutch katie fforde

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