‘I haven’t driven for ages, Grant,’ said Laura, suddenly nervous about it. ‘The last time was when I was staying with my parents and Dad wanted me to drive back from a restaurant.’

‘And you didn’t hit anything?’

‘No, but it was my home patch! I could have driven those roads blindfold on a bicycle!’

‘All roads are much the same really. And you’ve had your practice run.’

Laura nodded. ‘I know.’

‘I just wondered if blind panic had wiped your memory.’

She shook her head, trying to dislodge the blind panic that was washing over her with alarming frequency. ‘It’s only natural to be nervous. This is a big deal! I don’t go to meetings and before you say anything, I don’t count what we all do when we get together in the staffroom. That’s quite different.’

Grant did his best to be reassuring but as she’d been fretting all week, he was obviously getting just a bit tired of it. ‘Just take some deep breaths, you’ll be fine.’

‘But supposing this Fenella woman is just like her aunt? Scariness is bound to run in the family!’

‘Laura dear, are you like your parents? No. I rest my case.’

‘But genetics don’t always work that way.’

‘So Fenella will be a perfectly nice woman. She sounded nice on the phone, didn’t she?’

‘Yes, but—’

‘But nothing. Just get in and drive, girl!’ he said. ‘It’s insured for any driver. And you’re insured if I’ve given you permission to—’

‘I’d feel happier if I had a letter saying you’ve given me permission, or something.’

‘Oh for goodness sake! You’re far too law-abiding! Go to your meeting and tell us all about it when you get back. Remember, you don’t have to agree to anything if you don’t want to but I’ll want to know why! Now, here’s your route.’ He handed her some sheets of paper. ‘This one’s off the computer, and this is mine. Here’s the map Fenella faxed through.’ He paused. ‘You’ve got a sleeping bag, an ice axe and a boxful of emergency rations in case you’re stranded overnight.’

Anxiety had slowed her reactions and it took her a nano-second to realise he was joking. She pushed his arm and got into the car. Then she hooked her curls back behind her ears and turned the key. Grant patted the roof and she was off.