The Alpha Flame - Chapter 2 Excerpt

The Last Lesson - Maggie

There was a knock at the door.

“Colin’s here,” called mum.

“Okay, I’ll be there in a second,” I replied.

I was so nervous. I wasn’t normally the nervous type, but today was important. Who would book their driving test on Christmas Eve for God’s sake, I must be crazy. It’s going to be manic out there, I thought to myself, trying to stay calm.

I checked my look in the mirror: Hair – yes perfect, makeup – spot on, my shirt – white and business like, possibly a bit thin but necessarily so, skirt – perfect length, stockings – I always wore stockings, shoes – practical. Okay let’s do this, I thought.

“Maggie,” called Mum, “you’re going to be late.”

“Coming.”

I walked into the hallway where mum was talking to Colin.

“How do I look?” I asked.

Mum looked at me. “No bra?” she queried.

I just looked at her, and mum smiled in response.

Colin ran his eyes up and down my body. “Wow, you scrub up well,” he said.

“Good luck, Sweetie,” said Mum.

Colin led the way to the car. I don’t know why, it’s not like it was my first lesson. Hopefully, it was my last. We arrived at the car and even more bizarrely he opened the driver’s door for me.

“Thank you,” I said. “What’s with the chivalry?”

“No reason,” he replied, scurrying around to the passenger side and getting into the front seat.

I started performing all my learner checks, seat belt, mirror, all that bosh, then started the car and put it into reverse.

“Just take your time,” said Colin.

As if totally ignoring him, I revved the engine far too fast and slipped my foot off the clutch. The car leapt backwards in a tight right-hand arc.

“Jesus!” exclaimed Colin. “What are you doing?” as he stamped on the brake pedal.

“Sorry, I’m rather nervous,” I said, looking over my shoulder at Mum, who was stood waving.

Colin looked at me closely, clearly wondering why the cool, calm, and collected girl he’d been teaching to drive for the past four months was suddenly driving like a complete idiot. I didn’t know what had come over me. I had been waiting for this day for so long and was so ready, but for some reason I was shaking. Pull yourself together, I thought.

Calmly, he said, “Don’t worry. Let’s just try that again...”