‘Fuck me!’ one of the lads said. ‘Watch out!’ Daniel was vaguely aware of a giant shove into the middle of his back, forcing him to stumble up the grassy verge at the other side of the road. Before he could turn around and see who it was, he heard an almighty screech – the sound of car brakes – and whipped his head around just in time to see Sam fling an arm out in front of Terrence, who had been about to cross the road behind him.
A cream Mini skidded, swerving slightly, and stopped exactly where Terrence had been about to walk. Dean and Jonny, who had already climbed over the fence to the field that would loop them back around to the pub, shouted out, ‘What happened?’
Daniel motioned for them to come over without turning around. He couldn’t take his eyes off what had just happened.
‘… Nearly bloody killed us!’ he heard Terrence say, foaming at the mouth in anger. Nobody was hurt, thankfully, but he could see the driver still gripping the steering wheel, knuckles white and deathly pale. She looked like she might throw up.
‘Are you all right?’ Daniel called, meaning both Terrence and the driver.
Terrence dragged his attention away from yelling at the passenger of the car through the car window and looked at him.
‘Yes, mate,’ he said. And then, directing his fury back at the car, ‘No thanks to this BLOODY LUNATIC!’ He hit the bonnet with the flat of his palm and he crossed in front of it, startling the driver, who seemed to burst into tears.
Daniel looked back to where the car had come from – to be fair, they had all crossed over just after a blind bend. Daniel didn’t think it wise to bait Terrence in any way, though, so didn’t mention it. It was just lucky everyone was okay. He tried to catch the eye of the driver to share a sympathetic smile, ducking at the knees slightly to get a better look. She needs to get out of the way, he thought, and watched as the hazard lights came on, blinking in the early afternoon light. It looked like whoever was with her knew what to do. They’ll be okay, he thought. He turned around to climb over the fence where the rest of the guys were.
‘I’m bloody shaking!’ Terrence was saying, and Daniel saw Sam turn around and give the car the finger as its engine roared into life again. It drove slowly away. For a second Daniel thought it was Nadia driving. He shook himself out of the thought. You’re obsessed, he told himself.
‘Talk about earning that beer,’ Daniel said, forcing himself to get the energy of the group back. He grabbed Sam’s shoulder and steered him in the direction of the pub. ‘Jesus.’
‘First round is on you, mate,’ Sam said. ‘That was nearly the end of us!’
‘You know what?’ Daniel replied. ‘I’m feeling generous. First round is absolutely on me.’