Getting into GEAR

Were Nancy and Alan finally on the right road to rekindle their romance?

- Margaret Mather

Cocooned in the village library, Nancy was unaware of the large flakes that tumbled from the sky and danced in the wind, wrapping the village in a blanket of white.

It wasn't until the last customer had gone and she'd put on her coat, locked up and ventured outside that she realised it was snowing. Standing in the chilly evening air underneath the yellow glow from a street lamp, she made a promise to herself – tomorrow she would book a driving lesson.

She remembered how Frank, her late husband, had laughed when she'd told him she would like to learn. 'Don't be daft!' he'd said, tousling her auburn curls. 'I can drive you wherever you want to go.'

At first, she'd argued with him, but he had been adamant, saying they had no money to spare, with two growing children to feed. She'd never mentioned it again. Now she had a car in the garage she couldn't drive.

'Oh well, nothing else for it,' she thought, as she started the long walk home.

Stepping off the pavement, she turned at the sound of a car horn. The driver wound the window down and called, 'Hello, Nancy. Would you like a lift?'

'Sorry, do I know you?' she asked, peering inside the car.

'Alan Campbell at your service. Don't you remember me? We went out together, oh, must be 45 years ago. I used to work in your father's garage. Hop in and I'll give you a lift home.' He leaned over and opened the door.

'Of course I remember you, Alan. What a lovely surprise.'

Nancy climbed in, thankful to be out of the snow. In no time at all, they were sitting outside her house laughing and talking over old times.

'Would you like to come in for a cup of tea?' she asked.

'Sorry, I have to go, but if you give me your number, I'll call you tomorrow.'