He began his usual problem solving technique of verbalising his dilemmas with the car as his sounding board. ‘Phil has always been so macho, eyeing up the girls and commenting on their appearance. I suppose he was really eyeing up the boys. How has he managed to keep it secret all this time and does Lisa have any idea?’
Ben found himself on a narrow country road stuck behind a herd of cows being shepherded (or herded) towards a milking parlour.
For a while he let his mind wander away from the realities of the problem and found himself in cloud cuckoo land where anything seems possible. He could see the cottage, it was in the Burgundy region of France, orange and lemon trees surrounded it and of course the birds were singing. There were roses around the green front door and the smell of lavender was intoxicating. The sun was shining and he was sitting under a large chestnut tree. He had a laptop and he was writing furiously and an old mongrel dog lay at his feet. On the ground was a pile of books. The title of the one on top was ‘Terracotta’ and underneath the title ‘by that great new talent Ben Fairweather.’ Ben had had this dream many times but it changed slightly this time. Out of the cottage toddled a small child, it had its mothers smile and her brown eyes, it held its arms out to him and he picked it up.

Ben was brought back to reality when the car behind blew its horn signalling him to get moving.

But that wasn’t a bad idea. ‘Yes that would be a solution wouldn’t it Min? I could tell Lisa about Phil, she could come and live with me and I’d support her and help look after the baby. The cottage in France would come when I publish my first novel. We could lead our own lives and remain good friends. What do you think of that Min?’ the car gave a bit of a cough as it went a little fast round a tight bend. ‘No, I agree. It wouldn’t work would it!’

‘I could confront him at his office and tell him I know his secret. Give him an ultimatum and tell him he must confess to Lisa or I will. What if he punches me on the nose and tells me to get lost. He might deny it all and ask what proof I have. That could well end my friendship with Lisa. Not such a good idea Min.’
 

He was beginning to regret his decision to take the scenic route especially as he had come upon a diversion that seemed to be adding quite a few miles to his journey and he was getting no closer to solving his problem. For the next few miles he had to concentrate on working out the diversion and so suggestions for solving the problem became slightly frivolous.

‘Listen to this Min, I’ll get a disguise. Hire something from that costume hire place. I can see myself in a trilby and a trench coat with dark glasses. I think I would make a very good Philip Marlowe. I could then follow Phil and take some photographs. Then I could confront him with the evidence. He would confess to Lisa that he was having an affair with another woman, not a man. Lisa would leave him he would agree to support her and the baby and eventually Lisa would get over it and meet a more suitable man who would love her as she should be loved.’
Min gave another of her slightly asthmatic coughs. A worried frown appeared on Ben’s face. ‘I think a trip to the car doctor might be called for.’ Min gave another cough as if in disgust.

Luckily it was not long before Ben found that he was on familiar ground and his thoughts became slightly more logical, but only slightly.

‘An anonymous letter. I could cut letters out of the newspaper and warn him that I know his secret and that I am watching him. He must either give up his evil ways or confess to Lisa. But what if he goes to the police and they trace it back to me. I’d lose my job and all my friends and Lisa would think I had lied because she knows I’m not too keen on Phil! Oh Min what should I do?’

By now Ben was approaching his own house.
‘I know, you’re right Min. I’ll wait to see Phil’s reaction to the news. He might confess to Lisa and say it was just a mad fling and it will never happen again and that he is deliriously happy at the prospect of becoming a father. I’ll wait for Lise’s phone call tomorrow and if she doesn’t know about Phil I’ll go and see him.’

He drove Min carefully into the garage and gave her a quick wipe down; he didn’t want to risk any chance of rust. ‘Night Min. see you tomorrow and thanks for listening.’