Chapter 8

Children played in the park alongside the municipal offices. Elena could hear the shrill, excited voices as she drove past, and she could not help wishing that she was a child again. Childhood had been such a carefree time for her, but growing up had meant facing problems, making decisions, and she had not always found solace in the conviction that she had made the right choice.

Elena drove on through the quiet streets. There was no sense in speculating about what she might have done if she had to have her life again, and she sighed heavily when she finally turned off on to the narrow lane which led to the river.

She reduced her speed and changed down to a low gear to drive slowly past the row of familiar cottages. She was nearing the final bend in the lane when a red, low-slung vehicle appeared as if from nowhere directly ahead of her, and it was bearing down on her at a breakneck speed.

There was no time for contemplation, she had to avoid a collision, and she reacted instinctively