On the last lap to Stephenville Barton began to yawn.

‘It’s enough to make a man cross-eyed to be staring at a horse’s ass for so long,’ he said.

Just ahead of them was an ancient, shabby horse trailer, displaying a large equine rump. It had been there for some time.

‘Plus I had to get up at some ungodly hour to be at the airport on time,’ Barton added.

‘Hey, I’m sorry. You should have told me.’

‘Well, it wasn’t just that. We were up late last night, celebrating your visit.’

‘But I wasn’t there.’

‘Don’t fret. We’ll celebrate again tonight,’ Barton said, adding, by way of explanation, ‘this is Texas.’

‘So I see,’ Leo said, grinning. ‘I’m already beginning to wonder if I can take the pace. I’d offer to drive, but after that flight I’m in a worse state than you.’

‘Well, it’s not much further,’ Barton grunted. ‘Which is lucky because whoever’s driving that horse trailer can’t be doing more than fifty. Let’s step on it.’

‘Better not,’ Leo advised quickly. ‘If you’re tired-’

‘The sooner we’re there the better. Here we go.’

He pulled out behind the horse trailer and speeded up to pass it. Glancing out of his window Leo saw the trailer slide back past them, then the van in front. He had a glimpse of the driver, a young woman with short, bristly red hair. She glanced up briefly and saw him looking at her.

What happened next became a bone of contention between them. She always said he winked at her. He swore she’d winked at him first. She said no way! It was a trick of the light and he had windmills in his head. They never did settle it.

Then Barton put his foot down, and they left her behind.

‘Did you see that?’ Leo asked. ‘She winked at me. Barton? Barton!’

‘OK, OK, I was just resting my eyes for a moment. But maybe you’d better talk to me-you know, just-sort of-’