mad.' Her mother's pension from the foreign service was her sole source
of income, and it wasn't much.
'You don't truly want a Labour government, now tell the truth, Mummy,'
Royan teased her. Her mother had always been the arch Conservative.
Georgina wavered, and then avoided the choice, 'All I say is, bring back
Maggie.'
Royan turned slightly in her seat and glanced through the dirty rear
window again. The truck was still behind them, looming out of the fog
and the trail of blue exhaust smoke that Georgina was laying behind her
like the vapour trail of a jet aircraft. Up until now it had hung back,
but suddenly it accelerated up behind them.
'I think he wants to pass you,' Royan told Georgina mildly.
The massive bonnet of the truck was only twenty feet from their rear
bumper. The radiator was emblazoned with the chrome logo 'MAN' and stood
taller than the cab of the Land Rover, so that she could not see the
face of the driver from where she sat.
'Everybody wants to pass me,' lamented Georgina.
'Story of my life.' She held the centre of the narrow road doggedly.
Royan glanced back again, and saw that the truck was creeping still
closer. It filled the rear window completely.
The driver declutched and revved the gigantic engine menacingly.
'You' better give over. I think he means business.'
'Let him wait,' Georgina grunted around her cigarette butt. 'Patience is
a virtue. Anyway, can't let him through here. There is a narrow stone
bridge ahead of us. Know this stretch of road like the way to my own
bathroom.'
At that moment the truck-driver sounded his klaxon so close that it was
deafening. Magic jumped up on the rear seat and barked in outrage.
'Stupid bastard,' Georgina swore bitterly. 'What does he think he is
playing at? Write down his number plate. I am going to report him to the
York police.'
'His plates are covered with mud. Can't make it out, but it looks like a
continental registration. German, I think.'
As if the driver had heard her protest he slowed slightly and fell back
until a gap of twenty yards opened between the two vehicles. Royan had
swivelled right round in the seat to watch him.
'That's better,' Georgina said smugly. 'Ruddy Hun learning some
manners.' She peered ahead through the fog, 'There is the bridge For the
first time Royan was able to see up into the driver's cab of the truck.
The driver wore a balactava helmet that covered all but his eyes and
nose with dark blue wool. It gave him a sinister and evil aspect.
'Look outV Royan screamed suddenly. 'He is coming straight at us!' The
engine beat of the great truck rose to a bellow that engulfed them like
the sound of a gale-driven sea. For a moment Royan saw'nothing but
glittering steel and then the front of the truck smashed into them from
behind.
She was thrown half over the back of her seat by the impact. She dragged
herself up and saw that the truck had picked them up like a fox with a
bird in its jaws. It carried the Land Rover forward on the steel bull
bars that protected the shining chromed radiator.
