We were out driving one evening
dark, cold, typical 'summer' in Liverpool
I accelerate as the light turns green
and signal right
Suddenly, she screams
pointing frantically ahead of us
and reaches across to me
with both arms
In the split second that follows
I hover on the threshold of panic
And then ask her crossly
'Are you mad?!'
She calms down
and apologises
She thought we were in the wrong lane
heading towards oncoming traffic
and she panicked
I huff and puff
grumble about female drivers
about backseat drivers
about the female brain
and as I fume
She says
in a quiet voice
'I have always had this plan in my head...
if we were travelling together
and if we were about to hit something
I would reach across to you
and hold your head in both my hands
and never let go'
I sat there saying nothing
for I had not ever made
any such plans
Later that night
I think I cried in my sleep
