Michael arrived at the driving school about half an hour later.

He had taken a taxi.

As he got closer, I could clearly see the faint flush of red on his pale cheek, a slight scent of alcohol drifting toward me and Cynthia.

"I had an impromptu drink," he explained softly, then looked at us with concern, asking, "You didn’t have to wait long, did you?"

I had already explained the reason for my absence to Michael on the phone, the same way I had with Cynthia, ...