On our way home the other night, I had Superstoker on his own solo, just building up his confidence at riding in the dark. We began to descend the last hill, and I was giving him running guidance and encouragement.
I had just reassured him with the words, 'Don't worry - you have a nice bright light and you're easy to see so no one will pull out on you.', when a car turned out of a sideroad dangerously close to Butterfly ahead of us.
'Bother', I thought: Bad timing. But not as bad as what happened next.
A white van came up to the give way line on the right hand side of the road. And didn't stop!
He shot across Superstoker's bows, as the lad, credit to him, managed a swift stop in a straight line without falling off, close to, but not in collision with, the side of the van.
I shouted after the dangerous idiot, so he was absolutely sure of what he'd done, but I didn't chase because SS needed comfort.
I boil with rage.