TRUTH . . . BRINGS PATIENCE

The scene was our local petrol station forecourt and for a change the automatic car wash was in working order. Not only in working order but devoid of the line of cars so often there to test my patience. Not one single car in sight.

Parking by the pay office I obtained my token and eagerly drove round to the washing machine entrance. What's this? Another car slipped in before me? Not only that, there's no driver in it. Only his wife and children. I began to fume.

The better part of me whispered, 'Calm down Maurice, you're in no hurry. You can sit back and enjoy your John Williams' tape'. So I leaned back and enjoyed the music. Of course, this is better. What's the urgency anyway? Two minutes later . . . Where on earth is the bloke!?

'Keep calm. Rest back. It is minutes we're on about, not hours'.

Oh yes, sorry, I forgot; I expect he's parked first and gone for his token . . . What am I saying? Parked first! That's not fair! I'll have a word with his wife (politely of course) then look for the man himself. What does he think he's up to? I was here first.

All the while a voice within was persisting, 'Cool it, cool it', but my adrenalin was now pumping and breaking through my peace barrier. I jumped out of the car leaving the engine running and the automatic selector column safely in neutral. I guess I must have closed the door rather heavily (slammed is such an aggressive word) because although the car was stationary as I got out, while I was talking to the lady in front, I turned to see it moving at considerable speed in reverse. The door was still shut and there was no-one inside.

I panicked and chased furiously after the phantom vehicle, quickly realising by the increasing speed that the manual choke was still out. I failed to reach the monster before it charged through a ten foot high white fence and came to rest against a lorry wheel in the adjoining car park. There it stood with the bonnet protruding defiantly through the jagged opening.

Oh my! This wasn't going to look good on the accident report and I didn't fancy my explanation to the filling station owner either. Standing there inspecting the crumpled rear end and the shattered fencing, I momentarily wondered if it would be a good idea to slip quietly away.

//Continued