Page 54 of The Missus

‘Oh fuck. Let’s check it out.’

They jumped out of the car to look at the Spider. ‘I don’t think you’ve marked it,’ Keira said.

‘Really?’ Alanna asked anxiously, bending over to examine the car in as much detail as the human eye could deliver.

‘Nah, there’s no nick. Don’t worry about it,’ Keira said, pulling her gently away from the car by the shoulder.

‘You don’t think I should leave my details just in case…’

‘In casewhat?’ Keira asked, keen to know.

‘I don’t know, the bump might have caused complications we can’t see.’

Keira had to smile. ‘If you’d hit a person, I’d be with you on that. But I think if you can’t see any damage, the inside is fine. Cars are designed to absorb damage through the frame, particularly the front. Crumple zones and stuff like that.’

Alanna took a deep breath. ‘Thank god. My financial future was flashing before my eyes. Maybe I shouldn’t drive after all.’

Keira smiled forgivingly. ‘Come on, you were doing well until then.’

‘I don’t know that I’d go that far,’ Alanna said with an eye roll.

‘You were just about tonailthat park, I’m telling you. I wouldn’t knock a point off for a bit of car park snooker.’

Alanna’s stressed face broke into a grin. ‘Car park snooker?’

‘Sometimes you gotta bounce off the other balls to get into the pocket,’ Keira explained.

Alanna was laughing as she climbed into the passenger side. She was done with today’s lesson. ‘That’s a very laissez-faire approach to things.’

‘Keira Evans’ school of driving,’ Keira told her as she got into the driver’s side.

‘I sometimes really envy your approach to life,’ Alanna said as she buckled up.

‘Do you?’ Keira asked, surprised. She started the car.

‘You’ve got real perspective on the small things,’ Alanna told her.

‘I’d like to tell you it’s deliberate, but it’s just the way I am,’ Keira said.

‘I’m sure it takes more than that,’ Alanna said with a small sideways glance.

‘Yeah, maybe it does,’ Keira admitted, stopping at a light. It felt nice to accept the compliment. It was even nicer to receive it.

***

When they arrived home, Keira went for the coffeemaker as ever. By now, she knew precisely how Alanna took hers. She prepared it and passed it to where Alanna sat on the couch, pulling a book from her bag.

‘The Compassionate Mind?What’s that?’ Keira asked.

Alanna glanced up, accepting the coffee with a smile. ‘It’s about how we’re driven to compete with each other in society, how fear and opposition are natural instincts.’

‘That sounds depressing,’ Keira said. ‘If accurate.’

‘Actually, it’s not. Because it talks about how the human brain also responds very well to kindness when it’s available,’ Alanna explained.

‘Does it?’ Keira asked, interested.

‘It can increase our courage and resilience, according to the book,’ Alanna explained.