Season 2, episode 1/14: SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE (takes place the day after ‘A Day in the Sun’)

Steve has gone to Liverpool to look for his mother and finds her landlord is looking for her too, a small matter of £40 back rent. In the cafe where his mum used to work, the waitress (Pam St Clement) tells him she knew her, that she was alright and where to find her. Meantime Dora comes across a wandering horse Hercules who appears everyday at the Lockkeeper’s cottage. The lockkeeper, Fulton tells her the horse Hercules comes down to the edge of the Leeds & Liverpool canal, has a walk and thinks about things. He suggests that Dora should watch the horse and follow him “as he must go somewhere come to think of it.” As Fulton is talking, Dora gazes wistfully at the waterway – he says “Leeds/Liverpool waterway, imagine how they built that ... workmen with bricks and shovels ...” He notices she isn’t listening and he says to her “Liverpool must mean something special to you – what is it? an old Romeo?, a lover?” she replies “no just a friend”. He replies “such friendship that doth bring a bloom denying denial on maiden’s tongue”. Dora thinks back to Steve leaving and her asking “will you come back?”. Steve replies “would the Colonel let me?” She says “yes of course” Steve replies “so speaks the mistress of Follyfoot”. Meanwhile Steve meets up with his mother via friend Julie. He takes Mrs Ross for tea as she’s skint. End Credits. – The synopsis for this episode was kindly summarised by: Michelle.

Season 2, episode 2/15: THE DEBT

Steve is now in Liverpool with his mum. He goes to a late night cafe caravan and meets his mum who waitresses there. He tells her he’s got a job and starts in the morning. A copper approaches and his mum runs away. The policeman recognises Steve from when he was looking for his mum, tells Steve to get his mum to settle the £40 debt, if he finds her of course. Steve finds his mum hiding in a nearby alley, she’s for going home but Steve says she’s been paid for the week, but his mum doesn’t care. She tells Steve to let her live her life, and he live his. Back at Follyfoot Slugger brings a tray of tea to the Colonel when there’s a knock at the cottage door. It’s a Mr. Wimble come to see his horse, Jonas and take him away every Friday to haul a single roll of paper to the printers. (Jonas has been retired two years at Follyfoot). That Friday he does just that. Steve has been in his new job a week, it’s in a garage and he’s sweeping up, the owner tells him there’s no overtime but Steve says that tidying up is just a habit with him. Steve gets his first pay packet and goes to the cafe-caravan and offers to pay the debt to the creditor of his mum’s wages. The man declines and gives Steve his mum’s coat. Steve goes back to their rental digs and meets the landlady who hasn’t been paid. Steve does despite knowing his mum had the money. Upstairs he finds that his mum had brought a bottle of wine and a new coat with the rent money. His mum doesn’t understand that Steve wants to clear her name as well as her debts. Weeks pass and it’s winter now at Follyfoot, it’s snowed that morning and Dora thinks it’s beautiful, but Slugger tells her it’s frozen the pipes and she has to go get some water for the kettle. She sees footprints in the snow, it’s Mr. Wimble getting Jonas again, despite the snow. Dora makes a joke about old people and Slugger throws a scarf at her, it’s one Steve used and Dora wonders why he doesn’t write. Slugger asks her if she misses Steve and she replys that she should, shouldn’t she? Steve is working in the cold garage and gets his pay packet with a bonus inside from his boss for being a good worker. Steve goes to the cafe caravan where he’s working a second job nights. It’s now several weeks later and into spring/March. Wimble is still working Jonas but he can’t take more than one roll and they want two next month. Dora rides into the yard on Copper and sees the Colonel there with a flash horse. It’s Pride that Lady Millicent Longchilde wants Dora to look after for a month while she’s away. At the same time Wimble returns Jonas. Ron teases her with funny accents about Lady Longchilde who thinks Dora’s too young. It’s now April first and Steve is still at the garage, playing around with the local kids who play April fools with him. He knocks off at lunchtime and goes back to their digs, paying the landlady the rent before going upstairs and seeing his mum. He’s managed to save enough to pay his mothers debt plus costs of 44 pounds. He tells her the police are expecting her and gives her the money. He goes back to work. Back at Follyfoot everyone is grooming Pride. Back with Steve and he’s sitting in the flat, his mother isn’t there and it’s dark outside. The landlady comes and gets him because a policeman is downstairs. Steve realises that his mum didn’t go and pay off the debt. As he faces the policeman they hear a taxi pull up, it’s Steve’s mum been out on the town and spent the 40 pounds. She screams at Steve to leave her alone to live her own life. Disillusioned, Steve runs off, going to the cafe caravan to borrow the money from Bert but he tells him that his mother doesn’t want anyone to help her. Steve accepts the truth of that with sadness at last. It’s Friday again at Follyfoot and Dora has slept in, Lady Longchilde arrives to collect Pride and Mr. Wimble has already been. Dora runs out to muck out Pride’s stall but finds Jonas instead. Mr. Wimble has taken Pride to haul the paper. The Colonel arrives and they have to go to the docks to find Pride. In the confusion the load of paper is dropped into the canal. Later that day Ron and Dora are stacking bales and Dora tells him that Lady Longchilde has hired Mr. Wimble as her groom. Ron suddenly asks Dora if she’s ready for a nasty surprise. Steve is standing at the gate. Dora can hardly believe her eyes and runs out to him. They walk back into the yard together. End credits.
Cryometer: When she first sees Steve come back to her.

Season 2, episode 3/16: FAMILY OF STRANGERS

A couple of days after Steve’s return, Ron rides into the farm and nearly knocks down the postman. Dora has slept late again (it’s 8.30am) and rushes down to breakfast in her dressing gown. There’s a letter for her, Steve has looked at the envelope and assures her it’s not from her mum. Later that morning Steve is outside one of the stalls while Ron bustles around, feeling a little like a fifth wheel, Dora is inside looking pensive. He asks her what’s bothering her, asking if it’s him, but she says it’s the letter from an old school friend who wants to come and stay with her. The Colonel arrives and Steve asks Slugger to put in a good word for him. The Colonel teases Ron then goes over to the stable, greeting Steve as if he’d never left. Dora asks him about letting her friend stay. Days later the friend, Cleo has just arrived and Dora is settling her into her bedroom, Ron and Steve are carrying up her luggage. Cleo didn’t realise that Dora lived near so many horses, and she is reluctant to go out and meet them. Downstairs the two girls have coffee with Steve, Dora says she’ll organise a horse for Cleo but she refuses the offer, saying she doesn’t ride..ever, which surprises both Dora and Steve. Later that day Dora is schooling Copper with Steve watching. She tells him that Cleo was top of the school at riding, the champion. Steve asks what happened, but Dora doesn’t know yet. Later Steve goes into the cottage and tries to quiz Cleo, only to have Ron interrupt and make rude comments about Steve’s absence, making Steve very uncomfortable. A thunderstorm breaks in the early evening and Dora has to take tea and sandwiches to Steve and Slugger who are still mucking out. She convinces Cleo to join her. Cleo perches on the steps leading to Steve’s loft, as far from the horses as possible. Steve returns from the Colonel’s with a horse and doesn’t hear Dora shouting for him not to go in, when Cleo see the horse she starts screaming. Soon after Dora is in the office with Cleo offering her a drink. Steve is there too and Cleo tells them what happened to make her scared. Apparently her sister didn’t like horses and abused hers so badly that it threw Cleo’s sister and trampled her then went for Cleo as well. The horse, Galahad, was shot. The accident happened only weeks before. Dora and Steve are shocked but Steve reckons she’s imagining things. Next morning Steve still thinks it was an accident, not a deliberate attack by the horse, likely panic. He introduces the new horse to Dora as Caesar, a hunter who’s lost his nerve to jump. The Colonel has asked Steve to school him which surprises and annoys Dora as she usually does, but Steve suggests they let Cleo have a go to get her over her fear of horses. Dora’s not sure. Later Ron, Steve and Dora think of ways to get Cleo and Caesar together. Ron’s ideas are silly and Steve gets cross with him. Later Steve manages to coax Cleo up to the farm gate and introduces her to Caesar, even getting her to hold his lead rope. Dora is amazed. Steve tells her that he and Cleo have a lot in common, which unsettles Dora. Later that evening Ron and Dora visit Steve in his loft and propose a plan to get Cleo onto a horse. It involves using an old mantrap hanging from the rafters. Next day Dora, Ron and Slugger make a great show of leaving the farm so that Steve and Cleo are alone. Steve arranges for Caesar to escape his stall and run off, then he waits for Cleo to notice and call for him. Steve gets her to help him chase the horse. Dora is setting the fake trap in a bit of woodland, then settles back to wait for Steve and Cleo. They arrive and Steve starts into the wood while Cleo hangs back, Dora watches. Steve is heading for the fake trap but steps into a real trap that bites into his leg cruelly. Dora rushes out of hiding, horrified at Steve’s injury. She wants to go for help but Steve stops her and tells her to send Cleo, to carry on with the plan despite Steve being in agony. Dora yells for Cleo to ride back to Follyfoot which she does without hesitating. Back at the farm Cleo arrives as Ron and Slugger pull up, she tells them what’s happened and runs to phone the doctor. They think it’s all part of the plan and set off to the pre-arranged meeting with Dora and Steve, not realising the situation. Dora is with Steve who’s going into shock, she hears the truck and stands up to wave. Ron still thinks it’s all part of the plan but Slugger suspects otherwise. Slugger gets a large branch and he and Ron free Steve, while Dora and Cleo stand back in case there are other traps. Steve is freed but passes out from his injury. Back at the cottage Steve’s foot is heavily bandaged but there are no broken bones. They hear a horse and see Ron leading the missing Caesar with Cleo on his back. Dora goes out and Cleo comments that Dora was really worried about Steve, that he’s really a part of the familly. Dora agrees. Cleo goes inside while Dora reflects on her own feelings. End credits.
Cryometer: when Steve is trapped.

Season 2, episode 4/17: A PRESENT FOR SANDY

Steve is out riding alone one hot sunny day when he sees a cottage in the middle of nowhere on fire. An old lady is walking towards her home carrying buckets of water. Steve rushes to assist but on seeing the situation is useless, goes off to get help. The old lady tells him he must tell Janet, but Steve doesn’t hear. He returns with the ambulance men who carry the sleeping old lady away. As Steve is about to leave, he hears a horse, a beautiful 3-year-old chestnut thoroughbred, in an out-house and deciding it can’t be left, takes it back to Follyfoot.

Meanwhile at Follyfoot, Dora, Slugger and Ron are erecting fences. Dora wonders who the horse belongs to, surely not the old lady?

Early next morning a horsebox arrives at Follyfoot. Out steps Seth Draper. He confronts Steve and demands the return of his horse, stolen from his farm the night before last. He knows about Steve’s past and threatens to tell the police if he doesn’t co-operate and return him later that morning. Steve phones the hospital so the old lady can confirm the horse is Draper’s, but finds she died during the night. Shortly afterwards, the old lady’s niece Janet Draper arrives at Follyfoot, admits to Dora she stole ‘Cavalier’ from Draper because he belongs to her and takes him away. Dora tells Steve, Draper mustn’t know Janet has the horse, not until tomorrow anyway. Steve refuses, so when Draper arrives to collect him, Dora mounts ‘Copper’ and rides off to warn Janet. Draper follows in hot pursuit arriving at Janet’s place before Dora. On her arrival Dora meets Janet’s son, a small boy named Sandy. They overhear Draper and Janet arguing – ‘Cavalier’ had been a present from Draper to his late son, Janet’s former husband and Draper doesn’t want his grandson Sandy to go near him. One of Draper’s men finds ‘Cavalier’ and they take him away.

That afternoon at Follyfoot, Dora tells Steve that ‘Cavalier’ is to be a 10th birthday present to Sandy from his mother the following day and how when she was 10 years’ old, all Dora wanted was a pony. She suggests to Steve they steal him back from Draper as he is rightfully Janet’s property. Steve says no – if Dora wants to get him back she must do it alone – but later changes his mind and agrees to help.

That night at Draper’s farm under cover of darkness, Steve and Dora arrive to recapture ‘Cavalier’. Steve asks Dora what she thinks will happen the following day when Sandy receives his present. Will it all be sweetness and light? Will Draper no longer want the horse back? They find ‘Cavalier’ and just as Steve is about to bind his feet, Draper discovers them.

The police and the Colonel are called for. By the light of the police car’s headlights in the yard, Dora tells the Colonel ‘Cavalier’ doesn’t belong to Draper and is a present for Sandy. The Colonel asks Draper if this is true. Draper invites Dora to inspect and ride ‘Cavalier’ and asks her if she would give a fine horse like that to a 10-year-old? She replies she wouldn’t without proper schooling. Draper tells them both that he didn’t realise what a fine horse ‘Cavalier’ would turn out to be when he gave him to Janet to school a few years earlier. He continues, when his son died the previous year, Janet planned to give ‘Cavalier’ to Sandy, but you don’t give a young boy the same horse that killed his father without proper schooling. According to Draper, Janet couldn’t school a pussy cat and at the age of 2, ‘Cavalier’ hadn’t even been taught to canter. It was her schooling that killed his son, not the horse, so he took him back a year ago to school him properly so that Sandy would have a safe horse to ride. The Colonel tells Draper if he had explained all this before, it would have saved a lot of trouble, to which he retorts that Janet didn’t know it was ‘Cavalier’ that had killed her husband – if she had she would have had him shot – so he didn’t tell her!

It’s Sandy’s birthday and he is dressed in a cowboy outfit and playing cowboys with Dora in the yard of his farm. Steve and Sandy’s mother appear and she tells Sandy to look at his special present being brought by Grandpa. Draper walks ‘Cavalier’ into the yard and tells Sandy’s mother that they agree the horse is kept at his place and Sandy goes over for lessons. Sandy mounts ‘Cavalier’ and his Grandpa walks them around the yard. Steve apologises to Dora for all the nasty things he has said. Dora watches Sandy on ‘Cavalier’ and says that’s all she wanted for her 10th birthday. Steve promises to start believing in miracles by Dora – just give him time! Lightning Tree, End credits – The synopsis for this episode was kindly summarised by: Sysyphus.

Season 2, episode 5/18: THE INNOCENTS

Slugger is reading from a newspaper with the headlines all about strikers at a local coal mine. A car arrives with Mr. Platt (see ‘One White Foot Charley’), he tells them about the pit ponies still down the mine, but the strikers wouldn’t let Mr. Platt in to get them up. Outside, Steve arrives and Dora asks what they can do, Steve suggests they go and see for themselves. At the mine Dora approaches the strike leader, and asks about the pit ponies, the leader says what about the workers and won’t listen to her pleas for the ponies. Steve tells her it’s not her fight and the strike leader tells Dora they’re fighting the only way they know how, using the ponies as leverage. Dora tells her Uncle, he tells her not to interfere, he had already phone the RSPCA and the Coal Board. He repeats that she’s not to get involved. That night Dora has a nightmare about the ponies, she tells Slugger, he advises leaving it in the hands of the Colonel. Dora can’t. Next day Dora rides Copper over to the mine to see what’s going on. Back at the farm Mr. Platt and some miners approach in secret and ask Dora to hide the ponies if they get them out. Dora agrees and goes along with them to the mine. Dora goes down in the lift as one of the ponies appears to have colic. They are about to go back up but have to wait as the strike leader has arrived at the picket line. He suspects what’s happening but knows it’ll make good press for the miners. They get the last horse up and take them to the woods behind Follyfoot. Dora, Mr. Platt and Slugger are having breakfast when Steve arrives, he gets defensive and knows the Colonel will be livid, Dora tells him to go and see the ponies himself. In the woods Steve checks out the ponies while Ron helps bring some feed before scarpering before the angry miners arrive. Back at the farm Dora waits anxiously, finally the miners’ union arrives. Dora stands her ground when the strike leader asks her where the ponies are, but they crowd her and put her in the donkey pen while the other men push Steve around. Dora is worried for Steve and finally relents, telling them where the pit ponies are. The strike leader promises her they won’t put the ponies back down the mine but it has to be put to a vote. The Colonel arrives with Ron, he’s very angry with Dora. In the stable Steve is sitting on the steps to his loft, still shaken by the miners. Dora apologies for the morning, wishing she knew Steve better, he says he agrees with her about her statement that he’s too cynical – he hates, she loves, he sees black, she doesn’t, he calls her an innocent. She replies that she meddles and plunges in without thinking, it seemed so simple at the time. Steve tells her that to an innocent it is simple. Back at the mine there is a great show of returning the pit ponies, the strike leader says it’s a small victory, he can’t give them big ones anymore. Dora pleads with the Colonel and he says he’ll take a deputation to London to try again, if they free the ponies. The strike leader agrees and says he wishes he was still as innocent as Dora. End credits.
Cryometer: after her nightmare about the ponies.

Season 2, episode 6/19: THE HUNDRED POUND HORSE

(missing the beginning)
Dora has just watered the Lightning Tree before saying hello to all the horses, ending with the foal, Folly. She is surprised by a small boy, Tim Shaw. He has come from Eddie Shaw’s Travelling Fair that’s in town. Tim has a horse called Periwinkle that he has been told was a Grand National winner and very special. Dora panders to the boy’s illusions but has to turn him down when Tim asks if they can take his horse. Tim runs off. At the fair the boy’s father works on the dodgems cars, Tim asks for more feed for his horse, the father hits his finger and lashes out in pain by saying he’ll have the horse shot but he doesn’t really mean it, Tim thinks he does. Back at Follyfoot Dora asks Slugger at breakfast if he remembers a Grand National winner called Periwinkle. Slugger says know and reels off a list of names of past winners. They hear a horse outside, it’s Tim with his horse. Steve and Dora go outside and Steve is not taken in by the boy’s claims, although Dora nudges him to his disbelief to himself and keep up the charade that the horse is special. Slugger hears that the boy is from Eddie’s fair and remembers when he used to work for the boy’s grandfather as a boxer. When Dora asks the Colonel if they can keep Periwinkle he says no, despite Dora’s protests. The Colonel asks that Steve go to the fair to see the father, Ron and Slugger go with him. The father admits he can’t afford to keep the horse but he never meant to shoot him. Some time later Tim is at Follyfoot with Periwinkle, (they’ve been feeding him up), Dora asks Steve to lift down a racing saddle, Steve is cross that Dora persists in the boy’s misplaced dreams, Dora retorts that dreams are important. Tim rides his horse while Dora times him. The Colonel, Steve, Ron and Slugger are watching, when Dora walks over Steve is surprised that the Colonel is also buying into the boy’s fantasies, Steve reckons he should face reality but Dora disagrees. Ron takes it a step further when the boy rides up by making sarcastic comments finishing with telling the boy the horse is as good as dead. Dora is shocked and Tim rides off upset. At the fair the boy’s father can’t find him anywhere. Next morning he arrives at Follyfoot and Steve agrees to go with him to search for the boy while Dora rides out to look as well. The father asks Slugger to look after the fair. When Ron turns up on his bike Slugger climbs aboard and they head back to the fair. Everyone is out looking for Tim, who’s hiding in some ruins before doubling back to the farm. Steve returns with the father, who says that the fair is leaving the next day. Steve finds the boy in one of the stalls and has a heart to heart with him. Steve is very compassionate and understanding despite his former cynicism. Dora rides into the yard and Tim goes to speak to her about how he knows that Periwinkle isn’t a very special horse. Dora persists in the fantasy and Tim gives up, exchanging a rueful shrug with Steve. Steve takes Tim and the horse back to the fair. The father is ecstatic and tells the boy that his horse did win races in his time and could be worth as much as a hundred pounds. Tim is so excited that he runs all the way back to Follyfoot to tell Dora that his horse is special. She’s just watered the Lightning Tree, and she hugs the boy. End credits.
Trivia:– Jack Cardiff, once the world’s leading cameraman, now a distinguished director took time off from his work on Kirk Douglas’s latest film to visit Follyfoot and direct this episode. The part of Tim is played by nine-year-old Marc Granger, alternatively the delight and despair of busy Jack Cardiff, who had to finish a schedule to rejoin Kirk Douglas in Yugoslavia. But Jack triumphed in the end and left delighted at the performance he won from Marc.
Thanks Simon for this snippet.
Cryometer: No tears this ep.

Season 2, episode 7/20: POOR BALD HEAD

Opens at a coal merchant’s, a large dray horse (Ranger) is pulling a cart loaded with coal sacks, he arrives late because of coming up Thackets Rise. The boss comes out (Docherty) and complains about the cost of having the horse. The horse’s owner says it’s cheaper than running a lorry. Docherty wants Ernie to retire but he won’t. Back at Follyfoot, in the office the Colonel calls Dora in and tells her about a lawyer, Bendiger who wants a quiet horse for his daughter, he suggest Taminy, but Dora is mutinous and doesn’t want to sell any of the horses. At the breakfast table Steve and Ron tease Dora but she gets angry and storms off. Steve goes after her and apologises for the teasing, she tells him about Taminy. Steve suggests they chose Taminy because he’s so quiet, he then suggests they change that by feeding the horse oats and keeping him shut up, Dora agrees eagerly. Next day at the lawyer’s, Bendiger is about to leave when Ernie turns up, he complains about Docherty and how Docherty’s dad had promised Ernie a job for life. Ernie is worried that if Ranger is retired, Ernie will be next. Back at the farm they’re waiting for Bendiger, they hear a vehicle but it’s the Colonel, which surprises Dora as he wasn’t supposed to come that day. The Colonel comes inside and asks about Taminy, but Steve is tongue tied with apprehension so Dora talks instead. Moments later the lawyer arrives with his daughter, Wendy, a very pretty blonde. Steve and Dora are sent to fetch Taminy who is champing at the bit and very wild with all the oats. Steve leads him out but can barely hold him. Bendiger, Wendy and the Colonel look on as Taminy dances around the yard, dragging Steve while Dora looks on. Wendy goes over to the fence and Steve sees her for the first time, instantly smitten, she likes Taminy and Steve offers to help which infuriates Dora who makes matters worse by saying Taminy is always like this. The Colonel suspects a rat and tries to placate the lawyer who thinks the horse is dangerous. The lawyer and Wendy leave, the Colonel is furious. Back at the coal yard the cart is being hasseled by a tooting truck as it enters while Docherty watches. Bendiger is on the phone to Docherty and tells him about Follyfoot as somewhere to send Ranger. Back at the farm Taminy is now calm and Dora teases Steve about nearly turning traitor because of a pretty face which angers Steve. He leaves the stable and sees a truck approach; it’s Docherty and Ernie come to check the farm out. Dora comes over just as Steve invites them in, but he changes his mind and tells them there’s no room. They find out that Ranger is 29 and still pulling a cart which brings it home that if they sell Taminy they’ll have room for a needy case like Ranger. Later that day Dora goes to watch the coal cart from the top of Thackets Rise and sees Ranger stopping because he can’t manage it. Docherty also watches and tells Dora that Ernie doesn’t really care for the horse, just doesn’t want to retire himself. Back at the stable, Dora apologises to Steve and says she was wrong not to sell Taminy, and they discuss how to make things right. They decide to go to the Colonel and confess. When they go inside Slugger tells Dora the Colonel wants to see her. They hear the Colonel berate Dora about knobling Taminy. When they come out they see that Wendy was there as well. The Colonel tells Steve to take Wendy to see Taminy and Dora watches from the kitchen window as Steve helps her onto the horse with the Colonel watching. End credits.
Cryometer: None this ep.

Season 2, episode 8/21: THE PRIZE

It’s late afternoon and Dora is riding through the woods on KalinkA who suddenly stops for no reason. Dora dismounts, walks her on a few yards and scolds her for stopping four times that afternoon. After remounting they proceed on their way, only for KalinkA to stop again in the middle of a shallow river. Steve, riding a white horse, appears from between the trees and calls for Dora who shouts back she is in the river. Steve joins her there and Dora explains the problem she has with KalinkA. No matter how they try, KalinkA won’t budge so Steve dismounts into the water and leads them to the bank, where he removes his waterlogged footwear and sits down. Dora is planning the route for the cross-country event she is organising for the following Saturday. She sits next to Steve and looks wistfully at the setting sun through the trees. He asks her if it would be alright if he invited Wendy to take part in the cross-country event on Taminy, so Dora could see how they are getting on. Dora becomes moody and reluctantly agrees. It’s Saturday and in the grounds of the Colonel’s house, Ron is entangled in the P.A. system and Slugger is trying to organise a group of small children on ponies who are competing in the assault course, much to the amusement of onlookers. Mayhem ensues! The Colonel congratulates his niece on the event’s organisation. During prize giving, Dora finds Steve with Wendy with whom she will shortly be competing and tells him to return to Follyfoot to organise the cross-country route. She rejoins the Colonel and tells him there’s only that event remaining. Her uncle asks why there isn’t a prize? – there should be one! The competitors line up and Wendy tries to be friendly to Dora, saying she thinks “she” (Copper) is beautiful, to which Dora retorts that it’s a “he”. After giving directions, the Colonel waves them off and they race through the trees towards Follyfoot. Dora takes the lead; they round the lake with Slugger marshalling and pointing the way; then under some trees and back towards the Colonel’s residence. Wendy, who has been last throughout the race, dismounts Taminy at Follyfoot when she spots Steve, telling him she can’t keep up and trust her father to buy her a slow horse. They take Taminy into a stable where Steve covers him with a blanket. Wendy lies in the hay and praises Dora’s riding to which Steve adds she lives for horses. Wendy thinks that’s why Dora doesn’t like her much – because she only has two legs. Steve comments Dora doesn’t dislike anyone – she just isn’t that interested in people. “Oh really”, says Wendy and smiles at him. Slugger runs up in a panic saying that one horse and rider haven’t gone past. Steve tells him it’s Wendy who has retired and says they’ll telephone to say she’s here and staying for tea. The best china is out and Steve, Wendy, Ron, Slugger and the Colonel sit down to tea. Ron asks Wendy out – she declines, which miffs him and instead asks Steve to help her with her riding after tea. Dora storms in because Taminy has been put in Copper’s stable and afterwards watches jealously as Steve gives Wendy her lesson. The following day Wendy arrives for another lesson in a yellow sports car complete with a picnic and asks Steve to go for a drive with her instead. Dora who has been out on KalinkA and has realised there is something amiss with the horse’s eyes, watches them drive off. The vet is summoned and the problem is diagnosed as the degenerative disease, Moon Blindness. Wendy and Steve stop to eat and discuss Dora. Steve tells her Dora is one of the “kindest, gentlest and nicest” people he has known. Wendy wonders why there was no prize for the cross-country winner and thinks there should have been one. Steve replies that it was probably because Dora knew she would win. Wendy asks to stop at her place on the way back for Taminy’s horsebox and so she can collect something. Teatime at Follyfoot. Ron has burnt the toast and Dora is sitting moping, staring through the rain covered window. Ron tries to cheer her up by telling her Steve is not Wendy’s type. Afterwards, Dora is sat in the stables next to KalinkA polishing harnesses when Steve enters and says he is sorry to hear the bad news. Dora turns to him with tears in her eyes. Wendy walks in and after thanking Dora for allowing her to participate in the race, presents her with the winner’s prize – a brooch of two horses. She continues that she should have had it inscribed “to one of the kindest, gentlest, nicest people I’ve known” – end of quote. Steve looks away in embarrassment. Dora turns to him knowingly, her eyes full of tears and Steve tells Wendy she is giving away state secrets. Wendy and Steve exit to get Taminy leaving Dora to sob and inspect her prize. Lightning Tree, End credits.

The synopsis for this episode was kindly summarised by: Sysyphus.

Season 2, episode 9/22: TREASURE HUNT

The Doctor visits the Colonel at the farm. Steve announces that he’s getting a lift from the Doctor to give Wendy Bendigo a lesson on Taminy. Dora is surprised and jealous, but Steve tells her it’s only a lesson. Dora is asked to collect a horse. When she gets there she’s told by the groom that the horse belongs to one of two sisters who have lived in the same house for 20 years and never spoken. The sister, Agnes, is now ill and can’t look after the horse. The horse, Delilah has a stable mate, Sampson and they’ve never been parted. Dora takes Delilah back to Follyfoot. Steve is seen to be on a picnic with Wendy but neither look happy. Later that day Dora is trying to feed Delilah, who won’t eat, Ron teases her by saying that the horse must be in love, alluding to the fact that Dora wasn’t eating either, for the same reason. At breakfast Slugger comments that Steve had gotten in very late the previous night. Steve explained that Wendy had made him walk home, which was why he was late. Dora announces that she is going to visit Agnes, to see if she needs any help with cooking which makes Slugger and Steve laugh, as Dora doesn’t know one end of a saucepan from the other. While there, Dora meets the other sister, Emily as well, but is told not to interfere. Later that day, back at Follyfoot, Dora is still trying to get Delilah to eat. Ron teases Dora about her likeness to Delilah, makng up a ficticious horoscope about Steve and Dora. Both get upset at Ron’s teasing and Steve storms off. The Doctor arrives and tells Dora that Agnes will have to go to hospital. Later Dora and Steve are out riding and stop on the shores of the lake. Dora asks Steve how two people can live in the same house for 20 years and not care about each other. Steve askes if she’s talking about the sisters or themselves. Dora can’t speak about it, but Steve says that she thinks she’s in love with him. He relates how his Gran had told him about treasured moments, and that that was how Steve felt about the time he spent living and working with Dora, how they were poles apart in their backgrounds and that he felt that they were both loners. To soften it, he tells her how lucky he feels that he gets to spend time with her and that every moment is a treasure to him. Dora tries to accept what Steve has said, then Steve gives her hope by saying that time could close the gap between them. They arrive at the sister’s house to see Agnes being loaded onto an ambulance. They hear Emily crying and convince her to go to her sister and not waste anymore time being apart from each other. Later Dora tells Steve that she felt better now that they had talked about it, and that she felt that the afternoon spent with him had been one of her treasured moments. In the stable, Samson has been reuinited with Delilah and the horses are happy, as are Steve and Dora, with their new understanding. End credits.
Cryometer: No tears this ep.

Season 2, episode 10/23: DEBT OF HONOUR

Dora and Steve are out riding across country, Dora on Copper, and Steve on Alex. They approach a road, close to a parked car with a man named Parkes sitting in it. As they get close, Parkes suddenly gets out of the car and waves a paper, startling Copper, who shies and bolts. Steve rounds angrily on Parkes, asking him what the hell he thinks he’s doing. Steve rides after Dora, with Parkes following behind. Copper steps on some broken glass, injuring a hoof. They both chastise Parkes again, blaming him for his carelessness. He replies that Nichols will fix it. Steve asks who Nichols is, and Parkes replies that he’s a groom that works at Carne Manor, where he is heading himself. Steve suggests that they try there for help. Parkes then says that he’s looking for a place called Silly Hand Farm, and a guy named Hitter. Steve denies all knowledge of such a place and person. Parkes replies that they give phoney addresses sometimes. Steve and Dora lead their horses off, in search of Carne Manor. Frustrated, Parkes returns to his car. They find Carne Manor Stables, and hear a horse and a woman’s voice coming from the yard. Dora opens the door to the yard, where she is met by a somewhat angry woman, Martha, Lady Carne, who tells her to shut the damn gate. Lady Carne is leading Jellico, her horse. Dora asks if she can come in, but Lady Carne bluntly tells her to stay where she is, then asks what’s the matter. Dora explains that her horse has cut his hoof. Lady Carne then asks who they are, and Dora explains they are from Follyfoot. Lady Carne says she knows Follyfoot, and asks after the Colonel. Dora asks if she can leave Copper at Carne Manor, while they go back for the horsebox. Lady Carne agrees, but still will not let them come inside, instructing Nichols, her groom, to take charge of Copper. Lady Carne tells Dora to come back in the morning, Copper will be fine there tonight. Reluctantly Dora and Steve leave Copper there. Dora asks Steve if he thinks it will be alright. Steve replies probably. It’s odd, but ok. He then tells Dora to take Alex, he will hitch a lift from the village. Back at Follyfoot, Dora tells the Colonel what has happened. That will be Lady Carne, he says, dear old Martha, I haven’t seen her for ages. He explains that Lord Carne had died a few years before, and that The Hunt Balls were held at Carne Manor, and it was such a splendid place, full of priceless things. He then asks Dora if she saw the horses, to which she replies that Lady Carne had shut the door in her face. The Colonel then explains that The Carne Hunters are famous, and that Lady Carne is as possessive about her horses as Dora. Later, Steve is having trouble starting the horsebox, and is dismayed when he sees Ron about to leave. Steve asks for his help. Ron good naturedly chides Dora about getting old before his time on account of all the hard work he has to do, then touches the front of the horse box, then Steve’s shoulders with his fingertips, saying he needs to get the old vibrations going. He then climbs into the cab, and the engine starts at his first try. Steve is embarrassed, but Ron is jubilant, saying average genius was all that was needed. Steve then asks Ron if he has heard of a place called Silly Hand Farm. Ron’s demeanour instantly changes. He becomes wary, and asks Steve if anybody has been asking. Steve tells him of the man, Parkes, that they had met. Dora tells Steve she wishes she had not left Copper, but Steve comforts her, saying it’ll be all right. Dora is not too sure. Steve asks her what’s wrong, and she says that it was far too quiet a stable to have had twelve or so horses in it. Dora is very worried, but cannot say exactly why. Ron is riding along the road, when he sees Parkes’s car, and Parkes in the road ahead. Ron tries to turn round and get away, but Parkes is too quick and grabs Ron’s bike. Ron tries to say it was someone else, but Parkes knows better. “Silly Hand, right little comic aren’t you, it took me all day to figure that one out, it’s FOLLY FOOT”. He then asks Ron his name. Ron tells him Stryker, “oh” says Parkes, “it says Hitter here, giggle a minute aren’t you”. He then asks Ron if he’s got it. Ron replies no, he hasn’t. Parkes tells him that he will be over tomorrow, “and if you haven’t got it by then, you’ll be in trouble”. Next morning, Dora is asleep in the hay. Slugger wakes her by saying “so the horse turned into a beautiful princess and everyone lived happily ever after”. Dora apologises, and Slugger hands her a mug of tea. He then notices a rider approaching across the field. He says it’s a bit early for visitors. It is Lady Carne, on Jellico. She introduces herself to Dora, and apologises for being abrupt the day before. Dora asks after Copper. Lady Carne assures her that Copper is fine, and it is Dora that she wants to see. She asks Dora to school Jellico for her, and keep him at Follyfoot for a couple of days. Dora says she wants to give Jellico a rubdown, before Steve drives Lady Carne back to the Manor. When they arrive at the Manor, they notice Parkes’s grey car outside. Lady Carne is worried, and tells them she does not want anybody to know where Jellico is, and asks them if they have to tell the Colonel, and they can change his name if they like. Dora suggests “Pride Of Follyfoot”, which Lady Carne likes, but she will not let them collect Copper till later, and again exhorts them to tell nobody about Jellico, she then goes to talk to Parkes. Dora is aghast, and wonders aloud to Steve as to why. Steve says “let’s see”, and they slip round to a vantage point where they can overhear Lady Carne’s conversation with Parkes. It is acrimonious, and Parkes is threatening to have Lady Carne’s name in all the papers, and refuses to believe that Copper is Jellico. He leaves. Dora asks Steve what’s happening. Steve replies that he does not know, but Lady Carne is trying to pass Copper off as Jellico. He then says, “we are going to get Copper back whether she likes it or not”. They enter Carne Manor. Back at Follyfoot, Parkes is talking to Ron, but hastily leaves when he sees the horsebox returning. Ron sneaks away into one of the stables. Dora asks Steve again what’s happening, he replies he does not know, “but thank God we got Copper. I don’t like this Dora, I don’t like it at all”. Dora is having a sleepless night. She hears something, and slips on her dressing gown and goes to take a look in the stables, where she finds Parkes trying to smuggle Jellico out, assisted by Ron. She rushes to wake Slugger, and tells him what’s happening. They go outside to look. Steve has also heard something, and is investigating. Steve tackles Parkes, while Ron escapes on Jellico. Parkes fights free of Steve, but is caught by Slugger. Later, they are all in the farmhouse, except Ron. The Colonel tells them they should have called the police, but Steve replies that Parkes had said that the Colonel would not want Lady Carne’s name in all the papers. The Colonel asks Parkes why Lady Carne’s name should appear in the papers. “Non payment of debt”, he replies. “What debt?” asks the Colonel. Parkes explains it’s gambling debts. Ron enters the room, looking very sheepish. The Colonel does not believe Parkes’s story of gambling debt, and asks who the accomplice was. Parkes replies that he does not know, it was some useless twit the Boss sent. The Colonel tells Steve and Dora to accompany him to Carne Manor, Slugger to keep an eye on Parkes, and Ron to find Jellico. Outside the room, Dora rounds on Ron, saying “it was you wasn’t it?” Ron replies that would be telling wouldn’t it? “Where’s Jellico?” asks Dora, “and is he all right?” Ron tells her he’s fine, and asks her to tell Lady Carne that for thirty pounds she can have him back, no thirty pounds and old Parky gets him. “Is that what you owe?” asks Dora, and “he was going to let you off if you helped him get Jellico?” Ron confirms this, replying “some Sherlock Holmes you’d make”. Dora asks him to help her, or she’ll tell the Colonel. She leaves. Ron, alone in the study, sees a book on the Colonel’s desk entitled ‘Horse trading, Practices and Malpractices’. He picks up the book, and keenly begins to read, chuckling to himself. Back at Carne Manor, the Colonel and Steve see the place is empty, all the priceless things have gone. This seems to confirm Parkes’s story. The Colonel finds Martha, and they talk. She confesses about the gambling. Ron heads to the shack by the lake, in which he has hidden Jellico. He has the book with him. “Right”, he tells Jellico, “you can thank Dora for this. We’ll cripple ya!” At Carne Manor, the conversation continues over tea. The Colonel tells Martha that the bookies cannot just take property. Neither Steve or Martha realise this. Steve asks if they can take you to court. The Colonel replies no, a gambling debt is a debt of honour, not legally enforceable. Martha is devastated, realising that she need not have given all her things away. Ron hands Jellico over to Parkes, to Slugger’s chagrin, and demands his IOU back. Parkes gives it to him, telling him, “you’re lucky, I’m in a good mood”. Ron laughs, and says that the horse ain’t worth nothing, as it is lame, crippled. Parkes is shocked. Ron gets out his lighter, and sets fire to the IOU, and tells Parkes that Jellico injured himself, riding in the dark, and that is was permanent. Parkes tries to snatch back the burning IOU, but Slugger restrains him, saying “the Colonel will want a word with you”. Ron leads the crippled Jellico away, while Slugger follows with Parkes. The others return in the Land Rover, Dora jumps out, and anxiously asks Ron what has happened to Jellico. Ron proudly shows her the book, and explains that he has tied hair round the fetlock, which simulates lameness, he tells her you just cut the hair, and presto! the horse is fine. Dora is pleased that Ron has helped, but tells Ron that Jellico has to be sold anyway. Ron asks why, but Dora tells him he would not understand. The Colonel tells Ron that debts of honour are a bit outside his line, but he will make sure Ron pays up. Ron is crestfallen, and asks the Colonel who told him, but the Colonel replies that he met Parkes the other day, looking for Silly Hand farm, adding, “you seem to forget that I do The Times crossword every day don’t you?” Ron walks away, abashed. Martha and Dora talk. Martha says that she may sell the house instead of Jellico, and find herself a cottage with a stable, and that she should say she wished it all had never happened, but if it had not, she would never have met Dora. She leaves for home. Dora goes into the yard, where Ron is morosely leaning on the gate. Dora returns the book of horse trading, and they both walk towards the stables. Lightning Tree, End credits – The synopsis for this episode was kindly summarised by: Larue.

Season 2, episode 11/24: OUT-OF-THE-BLUE HORSE

Dora is in the stable measuring a stall while her Uncle watches. He asks her how many more horses she wants to fit in, he says she has to turn them away. Callie arrives, she has moved and makes a justification to Dora that it was for the best because of Steve. When queried Callie asks if Steve has got over her yet. Callie explains that she didn’t want to come between Dora and Steve, she thinks Steve is smashing (refers to episode ‘Moonstone’). Dora goes along with her and tells her it was sweet of her to think of them. Callie visits with some of the horses, including the foal, Folly. Callie asks Dora a favour, she thinks she’ll be off to boarding school next term and there’s no one to look after her horse Magic. Callie has a plan to deliberately fail her exams so she can stay. She asks Dora to ask her Uncle. Just then Steve arrives back from a ride, he sees Callie but can’t remember her name. Callie is so besotted she thinks he’s pretending to save her feelings. Callie says Dora’s so lucky. In the kitchen the Colonel says no to Magic boarding at Follyfoot. Dora tells Callie who says that a neighbour behind her used to have a horse before the daughter got married, maybe they would look after Magic. Dora and Callie ride over to check out the shed, they think it’s empty but Dora hears a horse and looks inside. What she sees appalls and horrifies her so that she becomes almost hysterical and won’t let Callie see. Dora finds out from Callie that the daughter has been gone for 3-4 months which would appear to be how long the horse has been shut up in the filthy shed. Dora finds a phonebox and calls Steve. He arrives with the horsebox, he tells Dora and Callie to stay by the phonebox while he investigates the situation. He arrives at the house angry and upset at what Dora has told him but is taken aback when a woman opens the door, Vera, in a wheelchair. Steve asks about the horse but before he can say much a man, Arnold, arrives from the garage across the road. He tells Steve to go away, that he has no authority. Steve tried to argue pointing out it’s an offence to keep the horse like that, but the man won’t listen. After Steve leaves, Vera queries the horse’s condition, asking if Ladybird is alright. Arnold had told her the horse was dying, but he denies it, saying it was a ruse to bring the daughter back. Back at Follyfoot the Colonel tries to comfort a distraught Dora, she asks him to do something and he suggests he pretend to be the local RSPCA officer as the real one is on holiday. When they get to the house they meet Vera in her wheelchair which throws the Colonel. Her husband arrives and lies to them, telling them that Ladybird is dead. Later the Colonel is giving Slugger the new plans for the top stable, tells Dora that they can board Magic now, Dora rides off to tell Callie before she fails her exams. She misses Callie by seconds and gets caught by one of the teachers when she tries to see Callie by climbing onto a rubbish bin. After the exam Callie arrives at Follyfoot and sees Slugger carting timber. Steve and Dora arrive on horseback and they tell her that Ladybird is dead. Callie refutes that by telling them she fed the horse only the previous evening. Steve is incensed and takes off to see for himself, Dora and Callie follow a way behind. He confronts the father in the garage and they fight, Dora arrives in time to break it up while Callie watches. Steve explains that he went to prison for a man that was whipping a horse and Steve lost his temper, he says the father is not worth going to prison for. Dora rounds on the father and tells him they’re taking the horse and they turn to go. The father breaks down and tells them what happened with his daughter, how she ran off and married the father’s mechanic and how she hasn’t been back since. They all listen, then Steve goes and sees the horse in the shed. Later Steve and Dora are back at Follyfoot arguing because Steve wouldn’t take the horse away from the father. Steve says that if they push the father too far he’ll just snap, Steve tells her to think about the people involved and how it effects them, they have a heart to heart. Callie is still there and she listens to their conversation which inspires her to go and write an essay the next day about what had been happening, especially about Steve. Callie is in school writing her essay and says that Steve and Dora are two hearts that beat as one, that they both knew that what he had said was true (about the father). Later Vera (apparantly a former teacher) is marking the essay papers and reads Callie’s out loud, she asks Arnold if what Callie has written is true. Next day Callie and the Colonel deliver Ladybird to Follyfoot to Dora’s delight. Callie tries to corner Steve in the horsebox, making him extremely uncomfortable and embarrassed, telling him about her essay and what she’d written about him. Dora looks on in amusement. End credits.
Trivia:– Out-Of-The-Blue Horse is one of several episodes of FOLLYFOOT directed by one of Britain’s leading film directors, Peter Hammond. Once an actor himself, his specialised knowledge of working with artistes has achieved eye-catching performances from the principals. Gillian Blake, as Dora, admits it was the most difficult film in the series yet, “so demanding I was utterly exhausted at the end of it – and I loved every minute of it”.
Cryometer: When she first sees Ladybird. When she tells her Uncle about Ladybird.

Season 2, episode 12/25: THE AWAKENING

In a field, Steve is training a horse to walk and Dora is jumping ‘Copper’ over fences. He jumps perfectly and Steve suggests she enters him into show jumping competitions. She replies no, he only does it when he feels like it. Steve reminds Dora that later they are taking tea with her uncle at his house. Beforehand over lunch at Follyfoot, Ron gives Steve a lesson in etiquette! Steve asks Dora why they have been invited to tea. She explains it’s to meet Lady Beck and her son Lord Beck who has a horse… but Ron interrupts and suggests it’s more for Lord Beck to look over a “young filly” with a view to marriage! Dora looks horrified! They arrive at the Colonel’s residence by Land Rover; Steve is attired in a suit and Dora a floral pattern dress and hat. Dora saunters off to look at the horses and Steve is admitted into the house by the housekeeper, Mrs Porter. She informs him the Colonel isn’t well and is resting. Steve meets Lord Beck, a man in his twenties in the drawing room and soon Dora appears carrying the tea tray wearing old jeans and a torn shirt. She puts down the tray and disappears upstairs to see her uncle who now has the doctor in attendance. Mrs Porter meets her en route and says he has had a little turn. Over tea on the terrace, Beck brags to Steve about his highly disciplined horse “Champion of Beck” who “does as he’s told” whilst Dora stares worriedly at her uncle’s bedroom window. Steve tells him he wouldn’t beat Dora and a challenge is set for the forthcoming ‘Fairfield Show’. Later back at Follyfoot, the Colonel arrives looking pale and walking with a stick. He has heard about the challenge and tells Dora young Beck needs taking down a peg or two. If she can beat him in competition it will knock some of the arrogance out of him. Dora isn’t sure she can win but her uncle asks her to do it for him. Dora starts training! One day Beck is spotted riding his horse. He treats him roughly though he is an excellent rider. Steve tells Dora ‘Copper’ will need more than feminine kindness to beat ‘Champion’. Another time they see Beck riding in a local competition. Dora wants to quit the challenge but Slugger tells her she can’t so Steve and Dora take ‘Copper’ over the same fences Beck was jumping after everyone has left, in an effort to improve his time. On the day of the ‘Fairfield Show’, Lord Beck’s mother and all from Follyfoot are there; the Colonel looks distinctly unwell and is in great discomfort. Dora and Beck compete in the Brigshaw Cup. Beck rides first and finishes his round with four faults having kicked ‘Champion’ before one of the fences. Ron and Steve lend Dora their vocal support and she finishes too with four faults after ‘Copper’ removes a bar from one of the fences. The Colonel’s discomfort increases. Slugger suggests they go home but he refuses. Dora and Beck jump off against the clock. Ron tries to put Beck off by pulling faces but only succeeds in frightening the lady stood next to him! Beck again finishes with four faults in a time of 1 minute 22 seconds. Dora sets off on her round – her mind is filled with the thought that people are matchmaking – but she is brought back to earth by the request over the P.A. system for a doctor to go to the president’s tent. Her uncle has collapsed. She abandons her round and fights her way through the crowd surrounding the tent. Later at the Colonel’s house, the doctor, Slugger and Mrs Porter descend the stairs to be met half way up by an anxious Dora. Steve waits in the hall. Dora is advised her uncle needs complete rest and proper care and to take things easy from there on in. She asks to see him but the doctor refuses as he is sedated. The doctor suggests Dora’s parents return immediately. At that moment, Lady Beck appears in the hall – she has Dora’s parents on the telephone and asks Dora to have a word with her mother. Dora shakes her head. Dora and Slugger comfort each other and sit on the stair. She asks him what they are going to do? He tells her we’ll find a way. Steve looks forlorn. Lord and Lady Beck walk into the hall and she announces that Dora’s parents are hoping to fly back the following day. Lord Beck tells Dora he is sorry about the Colonel, turns to his mother and tells her Dora is a fine rider and he thought she was going to beat him. As they exit, he tells Dora he hopes they meet again under happier circumstances. Dora, with tears in her eyes, tells Slugger that Follyfoot has been a dream and she didn’t want to wake up. She asks Slugger to help her to whom he replies “Always Dora you know that, always”. Lightning Tree, End credits.

The synopsis for this episode was kindly summarised by: Sysyphus.

Season 2, episode 13/26: FLY AWAY HOME

Dora is sat moping on the stairs with her Uncle ill in his room. Her mother tries to talk to her, but soon loses patience when Dora refuses to speak. Her father tries too, telling her they will take her home and start again. Slugger and Steve are in the kitchen at Follyfoot. Steve is watching the rain sadly through the window. He asks Slugger if he thinks Dora’s parents will take her away, and what will happen to the farm. Slugger replies that she managed when Steve was away. Steve tells him he is going too. Slugger says it will break Dora’s heart if he goes as well, they must carry on for her sake. Dora’s mother meets Ron in the village where he frightens her with two horses. He buys Dora a flower. Ron arrives at the farm with the bakery horses, and tells Steve they are to go into Ladybird’s stall, and that Dora says to put the pony out. Steve replies that she won’t go. Dora’s father asks her to take him and her mother to see Follyfoot, she says that her mother will hate it. At the farm Dora tries to persuade her father to let her stay. While Dora is fussing Ladybird, her father asks Steve if he knows what the problem is. Steve tells that she has spent years with a family that hardly knew she existed let alone cared. That at Follyfoot she felt loved and cared for. And that she wanted to stay. Her father thought he was talking about Ladybird but Steve tells him he was talking about Dora! Back at the Colonel’s house, where Dora’s Uncle has recovered enough to have a meeting with Dora’s parents and his solicitor, Dora once again tries to persuade her parents to let her stay telling them it is where she is happiest. Her father agrees and admits that they don’t know her. The Colonel then tells them that he is giving the farm to Dora, that she is now the Mistress of Follyfoot. She hugs her uncle, father and Slugger then runs back to Follyfoot where she lets Ladybird back into the yard. She looks around the farm and rests against the Lightning Tree, she then remembered Steve and rushes into the stables, calling him. He appears at the top of stairs, and tells her he is packing. She asks why, and says she isn’t going. Ron then runs in and tells Steve that Slugger has rung to say that Dora now owns Follyfoot. Steve walks back to his room sadly. Dora goes up to his room, and tells him she wants him to stay, that she needs him to help her grow up. He tells her that as much as he loves Follyfoot it isn’t easy for him. He becomes quiet so she goes back down the stairs. Slugger tells her that everything will be alright, and to prove it he asks Steve to come down and show Dora his discovery. He shows her the new green shoots that have appeared on the Lightning Tree. And that as she didn’t give up on it, they wouldn’t now, that he would stay and make sure she was alright, and worry about tomorrow when it came. Steve and Dora walk off hand in hand. Lightning Tree, End credits.

The synopsis for this episode was kindly summarised by: Sue.