These are the roads to drive on, single track, full of bends and no idea what’s round the next one. That’s real driving.’

‘Alright smart arse, how do you know?’

‘I’ve done it.’

‘You’ve driven a car? How old are you? Fifteen? Sixteen?’

‘Me and the boys drive out the moor road. Getting a car’s no problem.’

‘You steal cars?’

‘No, we always bring them back. We’re going to get a banger and do it up ourselves.’

‘Whose cars do you take?’

‘Anyone’s. Family usually. Angie’s old man is usually so pissed at night he doesn’t notice.’

‘But you could get killed.’

‘You’re right. I should let an adult drive,’ Colin said with heavy sarcasm.

‘Don’t be smart.’

They drove past Mary’s darkened house.

‘I’m here,’ said Colin seconds later.

‘I’d better come in,’ said Cal, pulling into the side of the road.

‘It doesn’t matter, it’s fine,’ said Colin, a young lad again, his cockiness gone.

‘Colin, I’ve got to tell her.’

‘Don’t tell her about the driving.’

‘I’ll just tell her what happened tonight.’

Colin walked down the path to the bungalow, then round to the side door and into the kitchen. As he disappeared inside, Cal could hear Mairi asking him where he had been and why he was so late. Then a door slammed and there was silence. Cal knocked cautiously.

‘Come in, come in,’ Mairi said. ‘Oh it’s you?’

‘Yeah,’ he responded self-consciously.

‘Colin’s just in. My son. You’ve just missed him.’

‘No Mairi, we… we have met.’

‘Oh?’ said Mairi, her voice a query. ‘Take a seat.’

Cal did as he was bid. The kitchen was substantial, with a table in the middle of the floor. The heat came from a stove with a sturdy, black iron flue. Storage cupboards stretched along two walls. The sink sat beneath the only window, which was three panes wide. A pine dresser stood next to an interior door. Cal absorbed all this in the time it took him to sit down.

‘It’s actually about Colin that I’m here.’

‘Colin? He’s not done anything, there’s nothing wrong is there?’

‘No, he’s done nothing. It’s me. I have to apologise. I was giving him a lift home and I went off the road. He got a bump on his shoulder. He’s fine, he had his seat belt on and everything.’

‘How did you go off the road? Where?’ Her words came in a rush. ‘Colin! Colin, come here!’

‘Down at the bend near the bridge,’ said Cal.

‘Did the car go over? How did it happen? Colin!’

‘It’s okay. We just slid off the road and he bumped his shoulder. I didn’t judge it right and we skidded off onto the verge.’

Colin reappeared, silent and sullen.

‘I’ve been hearing what happened. Are you okay? Show me your arm. Why didn’t you say?’

‘Because you’d make a fuss like you are now.