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<h1 class="fw-bold">The Alpha Flame - Chapter 2 Excerpt</h1>
<p>An exclusive glimpse into Maggie's story</p>
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An excerpt from Chapter 2 of The Alpha Flame, titled "The Last Lesson - Maggie."
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Listen to Maggie narrating Chapter 2 - The Last Lesson,
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<p class="chapter-title">The Last Lesson - Maggie</p>
<p><em>There was a knock at the door.</em></p>
<p>“Colins here,” called mum.</p>
<p>“Okay, Ill be there in a second,” I replied.</p>
<p><em>I was so nervous. I wasnt normally the nervous type, but today was important. Who would book their driving test on Christmas Eve for Gods sake, I must be crazy. Its going to be manic out there,</em> I thought to myself, <em>trying to stay calm.</em></p>
<p><em>I checked my look in the mirror: Hair yes perfect, makeup spot on, my shirt white and business like, possibly a bit thin but necessarily so, skirt perfect length, stockings I always wore stockings, shoes practical.</em> <em>Okay lets do this</em>, I thought.</p>
<p>“Maggie,” called Mum, “youre going to be late.”</p>
<p>“Coming.”</p>
<p><em>I walked into the hallway where mum was talking to Colin.</em></p>
<p>“How do I look?” I asked.</p>
<p>Mum looked at me. “No bra?” she queried.</p>
<p><em>I just looked at her, and mum smiled in response.</em></p>
<p>Colin ran his eyes up and down my body. “Wow, you scrub up well,” he said.</p>
<p>“Good luck, Sweetie,” said Mum.</p>
<p><em>Colin led the way to the car. I dont know why, its not like it was my first lesson. Hopefully, it was my last. We arrived at the car and even more bizarrely he opened the drivers door for me.</em></p>
<p>“Thank you,” I said. “Whats with the chivalry?”</p>
<p>“No reason,” he replied, scurrying around to the passenger side and getting into the front seat.</p>
<p><em>I started performing all my learner checks, seat belt, mirror, all that bosh, then started the car and put it into reverse.</em></p>
<p>“Just take your time,” said Colin.</p>
<p><em>As if totally ignoring him, I revved the engine far too fast and slipped my foot off the clutch. The car leapt backwards in a tight right-hand arc.</em></p>
<p>“Jesus!” exclaimed Colin. “What are you doing?” as he stamped on the brake pedal.</p>
<p>“Sorry, Im rather nervous,” I said, looking over my shoulder at Mum, who was stood waving.</p>
<p><em>Colin looked at me closely, clearly wondering why the cool, calm, and collected girl hed been teaching to drive for the past four months was suddenly driving like a complete idiot. I didnt know what had come over me. I had been waiting for this day for so long and was so ready, but for some reason I was shaking.</em> <em>Pull yourself together</em>, I thought.</p>
<p>Calmly, he said, “Dont worry. Lets just try that again...”</p>
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