'I think we have said all we have to say,' growled Lee through gritted teeth.

'Certainly. Here's my card, with the name of my insurance firm on the back. Please ask your husband to get in touch with me. Now, perhaps you'll be good enough to supply me with your own details so that we can get back into our respective damaged vehicles and try to give each other a wide berth.'

'Anyone who'd ever seen you drive would give you a wide berth,' she retorted with spirit. 'That's probably why you're such a rotten driver. You're used to the others scuttling for cover at the sight of you.'

Phoebe made choking sounds, but suppressed them under a baleful glare from her escort.

'And here,' said Lee, scribbling on something she'd drawn out of her coat pocket, 'is my card, with my insurance firm on the back. On the front you'll find both my home and my business address.' She had the satisfaction of seeing his eyes widen at this last piece of information. 'And now I'd be obliged if you'd move your car out of my way, because you are still on the wrong side of the road.'

She turned without waiting for a reply and got into her vehicle. She saw Phoebe take her card from the man and study it, then she gave her attention to starting up. To her relief the engine came to life at once. She let it hum for a few moments, and while she waited she examined the card she'd been given. It read, 'Daniel Raife'. After the name was a string of impressive-looking letters.

No wonder he got mad when I asked if he hadn't gotten beyond the third form, mused Lee. The thought cheered her up.

As Daniel Raife's car passed she had a glimpse of him in profile, his hands clenched on the wheel, his face still furious. Beside him sat Phoebe, who turned her head so that she could watch Lee until the last possible moment. To Lee's surprise Phoebe's jaw had dropped and she was staring as if she'd just received the shock of her life.

The next day Lee contacted her insurance firm. Then she sat back and waited for battle. Somewhat to her disappointment she received a speedy reply to say that the firm had already heard from Mr Raife, admitting full liability. By the same post came a letter from his insurance requesting estimates for the cost of repair.