HE ZIPPED UP his fly, did up the button, and tightened his belt. He bent forward and kissed her softly on the mouth and both her cheeks. She was steaming with warmth and had the diffuse scent of woman. Shampoo, lotion, soap, or a mild perfume—something attractive that tempted him to stay in the warmth around her body. But he restrained himself and a moment later he was in the driver’s seat, in an excellent mood in spite of everything.
Putting the key in the ignition made the music come on. He turned up the volume and tore away. Even if tires hardly ever screeched these days, he still loved the powerful forward motion of the car, the feeling of being pushed back into the seat. His fingers drumming the wheel in time with the bass, he pulled onto the main road.
It appeared out of nowhere without a moment’s warning. Just as he was exiting the corner by the ravine, the oncoming car appeared in his field of vision. It was rushing straight towards him at high speed across the black ice.
At the same moment he caught sight of it, he knew it was all over. For one or both of them. He had snow tires and wouldn’t be able to dodge the car, wouldn’t be able to stop even if he slammed on the brakes. He just wanted it to be over. Quickly.