On the authority of Speight v. Anderson, 226 N.C. 492, 39 S.E.2d 371 (1946) (see also West v. Slick, 313 N.C. 33, 326 S.E.2d 601 (1985)), the decision of the Court of Appeals is reversed. The case is remanded to the Court of Appeals for further remand to the Superior Court, Union County, for reinstatement of the order and judgment allowing the respondents’ motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict.

REVERSED AND REMANDED.