Katie Fforde - Going Dutch

‘But what about your dad? He won't want a guest if your mum's away!' Dora insisted.

‘He'll be fine! He'll love you. He's very laid-back. Now, have we got all the tent pegs?’

Dora did make Tom ring his parents and ask if she could stay and although it sounded as if he was telling them she was, she decided to stop worrying about it. His parents, Tom assured her, were very pleased to have him home for a bit, 'Although Mum's going off very soon after we arrive'.

They slept for most of the journey home, on the train to the airport, on the plane, and on the train the other end. Having hardly slept while they were at the festival, they found they just couldn't stay awake now. By the time they got into a taxi at the station they had finally caught up and were feeling more human again. Dora had to admit, though, that she had really enjoyed herself.

Tom's father and mother were standing on the doorstep waiting for them. Tom's father looked extremely like Tom, only with grey hair, and his mother appeared to have less sense of vanity than her own mother. She had greying, flyaway hair, very tanned skin and was wearing a hippy skirt and sandals with a polo shirt.

‘They'll have heard the taxi,' said Tom. He led the way up the garden path to the pretty, double-fronted 1930s house of the style that Dora had heard disparagingly described as Tudorbethan, but that she had always liked for its little strange-shaped windows and diamond panes.

‘Hi, Mum, hi, Dad,' said Tom, dumping his bags down and giving both his parents a hug. 'This is Dora.'

‘Welcome, Dora,' said Tom's father, taking her hand.

‘Do come in,' said Tom's mother, who kissed her in a rather absent-minded way. 'Would you like the loo? Or shall I show you to your room? Tell you what, I'll show you where the bathroom is and you can join us when you're ready. I always need a good scrub after a journey.’

Dora thanked her, wondering if the fact that she hadn't showered for a few days was so apparent. She didn't want to keep them from their tea or whatever, but she couldn't resist the opportunity to get rid of some of the grime. They wouldn't mind her going downstairs with wet hair, she was sure.

When she came down again she found Tom and his father in the sitting room. The French doors were open and a warm breeze wafted the scent of jasmine into the room.

‘So Mum's off tomorrow?' Tom was saying. 'It's a good thing we got back today then, or I'd have missed her.’

‘It's only for three weeks,' said Tom's father.

‘Oh yes,' said Tom's mother, coming into the room carrying a tray. 'Tea, Dora? I'm Myra by the way. Tom never does introduce us properly. This is Brian.'

‘I was going to give her a glass of wine,' said Brian. 'Can I have both?' asked Dora. 'The last decent cup of tea I had seems like a lifetime ago.'

‘Of course,' said Myra, setting a mug down on the table next to her.

‘It was Dora's first music festival,' explained Tom. 'Oh, did you enjoy yourself?' asked Myra.

Dora was aware that Tom was watching her. 'Yes, once I'd got over the shock of being offered drugs before we even got inside..

‘And all the nakedness,' Tom went on.

‘It was fine,' finished Dora. 'Tom's friends were very nice.'

‘Nice? Not quite how I'd have described them.' Myra took a sip of tea that expressed her feelings perfectly. 'Not my boat friends,' Tom explained. 'These were from college. Lizzie and that lot.'

‘Oh, those friends! Yes, they are nice.'

‘Are you ready for wine now?' said Brian. 'You seem to have got that tea down you already.’

Dora laughed. 'Wine would be lovely. I just had to have a nice cup of tea to feel really human again.'

‘Hmm,' said Tom. 'I must remember that.’

Not quite sure what he meant, Dora turned to his mother. 'So you're going trekking? That does sound exciting.'

‘Not really, it's an organised tour. My friend wouldn't let us just book flights and take it from there.' She sighed. 'I must finish packing in a moment.'

‘How do you know what to take? To Peru?'

‘Oh, I've got a kit list from when Tom went to India at school,' she said. 'I've used it ever since.'

‘You went to India when you were at school?' Dora was amazed. 'The furthest we ever went to was St Albans.'

‘I've added to the list over the years.' Myra went on. 'I never go without gaffer tape. You can mend anything with it. Have you done much travelling, Dora?’

She shook her head. 'I've led rather a sheltered life, I'm afraid.'

‘Well, you're young. I didn't get into travel until I was over forty.'

‘I'm not waiting till then before I head off,' said Tom. 'Just until I've got enough money.’

Dora felt suddenly bereft at the thought of Tom heading off round the world, leaving her behind.

‘That reminds me, I must pack my neck purse. There's something wonderfully freeing about not having a hand bag,' said Myra to Dora. 'I just put my credit card and my local currency in my neck purse, a few coins in my pocket, and that's it.' She got up. 'I'll just do that now, and by then supper will be ready.'

‘What is it?' asked Tom.

‘Lasagne.'

‘Vegetarian?' Tom raised an eyebrow at his dad.

"Fraid so,' Brian answered.

‘The lentil is a much misunderstood vegetable,' called his mother from the kitchen.

‘Don't worry, Dora,' said Brian. 'We eat steak and chips a lot when Myra's away.’

Myra came back into the room. 'It's just as well I don't go away very often then. Too much red meat is bad for you. And it's ready. Do bring your glasses.’

Dora decided that Lizzie had been absolutely right about Tom's parents: they were lovely. His father was easygoing and friendly and his mother led an interesting life of her own and so didn't ask awkward questions. Both of them took Dora's presence completely for granted.

After supper Myra finished packing and then they all had another cup of tea before going to bed.

‘I'm not sure I'm quite ready to go back to work,' said Dora, yawning, in spite of having slept through most of the journey back from Holland.

‘We're not going back to work tomorrow,' said Tom. 'Officially, we're still with the barge in Holland. Tomorrow we're having an adventure.'

‘Oh, Tom,' said Dora, guessing he meant another bet. 'I hope you don't mean anything too tiring.'

‘Don't worry, sleepyhead, you'll love it.' He got to his feet and, pushing his hand through his hair, asked, 'More tea, anyone?’

‘I can't decide if I'm on holiday or going to work,' said Dora as she and Tom walked to the station together the following day. They had decided to call into the boatyard to tell them about their trip before going on into London.

‘You're on holiday,' said Tom firmly. 'And I know they will have been fine without us. They will want a blow-by-blow account, though.'

‘Then I'll just ring Karen,' she said. 'She might want to meet us in town or something.'

‘You're doing your dare, Dora. You can see Karen another day.’

He sounded stern and a bit parental and she had to check to make sure he was laughing. Seeing his familiar twinkle provoked a sudden rush of fondness for him. She smiled back. 'OK. I'll ring her but I won't arrange anything for today. OK?’

Karen was full of enthusiasm. 'Mum and me are having a great time! Dad's taken the Floosie away so we've got the house to ourselves. It's lovely just catching up. I want to take her shopping and things. She has got a bit old-ladyish since I've been away.’

Dora couldn't help laughing. 'If you could see your mother skipping about a barge you wouldn't say things like that.'

‘I'm very proud of her, getting over her fear of boats, but her hair's a mess.’

As Dora couldn't really disagree with this, she laughed. 'Mum's talking of having a barbie on Sunday. Would you and Tom be up for that?'