'Well, you said it-'

'And to be ready at all times to take evasive action.'

'You were driving on the wrong side of the road!' she yelled.

'I know that. The point is that I didn't know it at the time. I thought I was on the right side of the road. You, however, knew I was on the wrong side, and should have reacted earlier.'

'You mean I should have done your thinking for you? Why can't you do your own? Didn't you get beyond the third form, or something?'

The young woman gave a suppressed choke and was silenced by an infuriated glare from the man.

'Why didn't you take avoiding action earlier?' Lee demanded.

'Because,' said the man, speaking with difficulty, 'I thought you would. I thought you were on the wrong side of the road-'

'Well, I wasn't,' she said, wondering if she was in a madhouse. 'I was on the right side, and you're damned lucky it was me and not a ten-ton truck.'

The beautiful young woman poked the man's arm. 'She's right, you know,' she hissed.

'What?' The man stared as if unable to believe he'd heard properly.

'She's right. You were driving on the wrong side of the road.' She turned to Lee. 'I'm sorry. You see, we've just come back from France, where they drive on the other side. We came off the ferry tonight and-'

'Phoebe,' the man growled, 'if you can't be more helpful than that, just get back in the car.'

'Oh, no, please let me stay,' said Phoebe quickly.

'Then keep quiet and behave yourself.'

Lee gaped at this exchange. 'I didn't think men like you existed any more,' she managed to get out at last. 'Why do you let him talk to you like that?' she demanded of Phoebe.

'I can't stop him,' said the young woman sadly.

'Phoebe!'

Phoebe glanced at the man's face and hastily fell silent.

Lee felt she might explode.

He took a deep breath. When he spoke again, he sounded as if he was controlling himself with a mighty effort. 'For your information, madam, this girl-'