356. Driving (again) (2)

 I have my husband's full attention now but he does not look very enthusiastic.

'The Wolf?'

'Well, she did say she would not mind. But no, you see, you don't want to let her drive the Wolf and I don't want to let her drive Pinky.'

I can see he is relieved now. The stress of having the worst driver of the family behind the wheel of the Wolf us clearly unbearable for him. I continue.

'We haven't really been giving it much thought, kind of looked in passing, but now it is clearly an issue we need to address ASAP of our daughter will never ever forgive us for not helping and our lives will be hell.'

'Fair point.' He says, trying to beat me at finding the miracle solution. (My husband has a highly competitive streak.)

'So ... I've just had a thought.'

I am taking my time because I know he won't beat me on that one. 

'You know my uncle Jeannot? You've been on his farm many times. You know how many vehicles he collects ...'

'He definitely owns a good assortment of cars, collectors items most of them. I like the old cattle truck he keeps in the main barn and the ...'

My husband is off, he likes cars and he knows Jeannot's barns and outbuildings just as well as I do, even better when he comes to vehicles.

'Yes, well. One of his cars is an old R21, he has had it for 30-odd years, always MOTed, always serviced. My cousin used to drive around in it when he was over from Futuna until the eco-label thing was put in place. What do you think? Should I give him a call?'

My husband is trying to hide the fact that he is super impressed.

'Yes, it will be in perfect condition. Well looked after, no doubt about it ... And he doesn't drive it anymore now that he has a brand new vey modern 4x4. Might be an idea.'

He frowns and raises and eyebrow. He hesitates.

'But ... it's big! And ... well ... she can't drive really so ...'

'She has her licence. I suffered (and paid) loads for that, it has to be put to good use. And she has to practice. You could give her the extra lessons she needs.'

Now Miss Muddy Boots, number 2 in the family, is the very reason why we gave up on accompanied driving for ever. The idea of it just put us off immediately. Unconceivable. And now my husband would have to do it, to sit in a car (and what a car) with her and teach her. He was not keen on the idea at all I could see that plainly on his face.

'Come on. It's the perfect solution. We have no time for anything else anyway.' 

I left him to chew on this and hoped he would not suggest I could do the driving lessons being a teacher and all that.

I picked up the phone and dialled the farm.