MIRROR MIRROR!

Aside

I was dreading this week’s driving lesson because we were driving into the county town with traffic, roundabouts and pedestrian crossings – all bad enough but I would be driving the Focus which is larger than I’m used to and has a very sloping wind screen which makes one feel the car is in charge of you rather than the other way round.

For days before, I was adjusting seats and mirrors and practising turning the car round. I had a rather close encounter with the gate which was already on its last legs (not a word to Bessie!) but happily the car was unblemished. The lesson was at 1pm, lunch time so I just had a mug of milky coffee and three chocolate fingers. A hot fragrant bath soothed my jagged nerves and I took two Quiet Life, which is OK as long as you aren’t pregnant. I’m not.

I was going to drink camomile tea but feared that, plus Quiet Life might be too sedating. The gloomy grey start had given way to a lovely sunny day so it was sun-glasses rather than wipers. I was afraid my sandals might catch on the pedals so wore my French Aigle boots. A crisp cotton shirt, indigo jeans and I was ready to go.

During the two hours of non stop driving I found, after a while that I could talk at the same time but never took my eyes off the road. I collected one toot at a roundabout but my driving instructor said I was justified in moving then as I had time. I still find the mirror, mirror, signal etc takes getting used to and apparently I don’t have to go from fourth to second via third gear I can go from fourth to second.

Another hurdle over.

DI Well that went well!

P Thank you.

DI Were you nervous?

P I was at first but then I enjoyed it.

DI I enjoyed it too Pat. What shall we do next week?

P I don’t know. You decide.

DI Shall we go on the motor way?

P I’m game.

DI Where shall we go?

P Scotland?

DI I’ll bring sandwiches.

…..

Past Imperfect story continued on Monday DV.