A hat-astrophe at the traffic lights

MY WIFE used to drive many miles as part of her job. Of the several amusing experiences she had on the road, one in particular sticks in her mind. She was stationary for some time in two lanes of traffic at a red light in Derby, and because the weather was extremely hot and all the car windows were down, she struck up a conversation with the driver of the car alongside. The conversation flagged a little after comments about the fine weather and my wife looked for inspiration to keep it going. The back window of the next-door car was tinted, but my wife thought she had spotted something of note and exclaimed excitedly: ‘Goodness gracious! Isn’t that a Clumber Spaniel you have in the back there? How lovely! I haven’t seen one of those for years. My uncle used to keep them.’ The next-door driver turned to the back of his car and said rather resignedly: ‘Gladys, I told you before we came out not to wear that silly hat! It makes you look ridiculous.’ Needless to say, when the lights changed, my wife put her foot down and made a very quick getaway! David Cowlishaw,

Alton, Hants.