Then

"Come on, Joseph," Chris called over his shoulder.

Joseph followed his father as he wheeled out to the truck. Chris looked longingly at the shiny new vehicle. He hadn't been behind the wheel of one of these things since the plane crash. Joseph stood at his side, his Harry Potter rucksack on his back.

Chris opened the door to the driver's seat, using the keys he had swiped from Sean's desk. He hauled himself up so he was sitting at the wheel, lifting one leg and then the other and placing his feet on the floor in front of the pedals.

"Joseph, can you put my chair in the back?" he called. Joseph expertly folded the wheelchair and opened the door to put it in the back, along with his backpack.

"Come here." Chris held out his arm to Joseph, who shut the back door and climbed up onto his father's lap. Chris pulled the door closed and turned the engine on. He adjusted his son on his lap. To his delight, Joseph's legs were long enough to reach the pedals.

"Shall we go for a spin, Joseph?" His son nodded eagerly.

"Okay, put your foot down on the left pedal. Then bring it up slowly, but not all the way. About halfway." Joseph followed these instructions until Chris heard the engine start to strain.

"Now put your right foot down on the far right pedal, just a little bit. Slowly." Joseph obeyed.

Chris took the handbrake off and the truck moved forward slowly. "That's it Joseph, you can take your left foot off now." A smile spread across his face as he steered the lorry across the yard. Like riding a bicycle.

Sean Reynolds came striding out of the office. He didn't look happy. "You can take your foot off now, Joseph," said Chris quickly as he pulled the lorry to the side. It came to a slow halt and Chris pulled the handbrake back on.

"What the..." Sean began as he pulled the driver's door open. "How are you.." He looked from Chris to Joseph.

"Just going for a little spin," Chris explained.

"I'm a hollage driver!" said Joseph cheerfully.

"Are you trying to get us shut down?" Sean demanded.

"Just a bit of fun." Chris shrugged.

"And I suppose he's got an HGV licence?" Sean nodded at Joseph.

"We're only going round the yard."

"Back to the office, Joseph." Sean held out his arms and Joseph reluctantly climbed down. "What's he doing here anyway?"

"His nanny let me down, and Zoe's busy."

"You'd better get back to the office and all, before someone sees you." Sean looked around. "I'll park up."

"Oh, get my chair out of the back will you? I might need help getting down." Sean glared at Chris as Joseph happily strolled back to the office.

…

Now

"Always check you're in neutral before you start the engine," Joe instructed. "Like this..." He reached out to give the gearstick a shake. "If it's stuck, you're in gear." Jean nodded.

"Now you can start the engine." Jean turned the key in the ignition and the car sprung to life.

"Put your left foot down on the clutch, about halfway." Saying these words stirred a memory in Joe.

"My dad did this with me once," he said nostalgically.

"Your dad?" Jean frowned, looking across at him. "Joe, Uncle Chris died when you were eight."

"He let me drive one of his trucks around the yard once. I was on his lap."

"But that was really dangerous!" Jean looked scandalised.

"I was only going at about two miles per hour. Anyway, right foot down on the accelerator, just a little. When the engine starts to strain, take the handbrake off."

Jean obeyed these instructions and the car shifted forwards. She gasped and hit the brake.

"Good. You didn't stall," Joe said encouragingly. "Now lift your foot off the brake and back onto the accelerator..."

Trembling a little, Jean switched to the right pedal and slowly brought her foot off the clutch. The car glided forward smoothly.

"Joe, I'm doing it!" she cried.

"You're a natural." Joe was proud of her. "Remember to keep checking your mirrors."

She drove all the way to the end of the Home Farm drive. "That was great!" she said, coming to a smooth stop. "I want to go out on the road!"

"Not yet. A bit more practice first." Joe smiled at her. "I wish my dad could have taught me how to drive," he said, more to himself than Jean.

"Who did teach you?" she asked, checking her reflection in the rear view mirror.

Joe frowned and looked away. "Graham."