AllFreeNovel
Share Us
‘Yes.’
‘What’s your name?’
‘Mairi Malone.’
‘Address?’
She told him.
‘Driving licence?’ he said.
‘Not with me, sorry.’
‘Tell us about the MOT?’ he said, jabbing his thumb at the old Renault.
‘I know, I’m sorry. I only realised this morning, I’ve been so busy with work,’ she said, forcing another smile.
‘Three weeks is too long, madam. Now about your driving, I noticed you stalled it coming out of the road …?’ He left the sentence hanging, but the meaning was clear.
‘I know, rushing and late. Sorry.’
‘Had a drink?’
‘What, in the morning? No,’ she said, eyes widening, but her stomach tightening. She had sunk a fair amount of cider last night, but surely she was clear now. She looked at her watch, her last drink was well after midnight. The fear bubbled up even stronger, please no, she thought.
‘How about last night?’ said the younger cop.
‘I had a couple of drinks, but no’ many.’
The cops looked at each other, and something passed between them. The older one nodded.
‘We’re going to require a breath test, madam. Alcohol can remain in your system for some time, and as your driving is below par, we need to check. Come and sit in the back of the car and we’ll get a check done.’
‘No machine in the car, Shug,’ said the older one.
‘I’ll radio for it,’ said Shug, reaching for the handset that was affixed to his body armour.
The rear door of the cop car opened and another officer stepped out, wearing a hi-vis jacket and the same white cap as the other two. He was small and wiry and looked seasoned and tough, although his eyes twinkled with amusement.
‘I’ll get out of the way if you’re doing a breath test, but I’ll have a look at the car. I don’t like the state of your tyres,’ he said, walking up towards the Renault.
‘PC Jones is a qualified vehicle examiner, and as your MOT has expired, I think we could make sure it’s road-worthy, okay?’ said the older cop.
‘Aye, no problem,’ she said, her voice wobbly.
‘Why not take a seat in the back of our car whilst PC Jones does his exam, and we wait for the machine, it’ll no’ be too long,’ the younger cop said, his eyes kind and a reassuring smile on his face.
She sat silently in the back of the big cop car, the door open as the third cop was busying himself inside and outside her little Renault, whistling tunelessly.
It took about ten minutes for another car to arrive and a breath test machine was handed to the older cop, who in turn handed it to his colleague who explained the procedure to her. Within a few moments she had blown into the tube as directed, a sick feeling clutching at her stomach. If this was positive, she was done for. Her job was done, and she’d not be able to pay rent. She felt the blood drain from her face as she stared at the inscrutable cop’s face for a sign.
‘Right, Miss Malone. You’re very lucky. I’m detecting alcohol in your breath, but you’re below the limit.’
Mairi felt hot tears well in her eyes. ‘Oh thank God,’ she said.
‘A good lesson, eh. Booze can linger about, so be careful,’ he said, snapping the tube from the machine and handing it to her, his kind eyes twinkling.
‘Aye, I’ll be careful. How about the MOT?’ she said, relief flooding through her as she stepped out of the car.
