from previous-

-he  thanked  them both and  the  taxi  drove  off, he  thought  they  might  like  to  talk  but  they  kept  silent, in fact  they  remained  silent  between them hesitant  to  talk , he  began  to  feel  strained  and   stiff, not  sure  of  what  will happen  next,  a  fear  seized  him, thankfully  the  driver  was  a  real  gossip