Chapter 40
FORTY
October, the previous year
It was night. Dark. She rested her head on the window and looked up at the motorway lights, flashing past in a regular rhythm. It was quiet because it was so late.
When she saw the lorry move across the lane, she thought it was overtaking at first. But it kept on coming.
Closer and closer. Getting bigger and bigger.
And then its huge thundering bulk was towering over their small car and it was impossible to get away.
Sandwiched between the lorry and the crash barrier, the lorry struck the passenger side of their car.
She’d never heard a sound like it. It was deafening, ripping at her ears. Buckling metal, crushed so that it filled the seat that was there, squeezing the occupant with it as it concertinaed inwards.
Then screaming.
She always asked herself the same questions. What had gone through his mind when the lorry hit them? Was he scared? Did he feel the impact? What was it like for him when he died?