Impulse Buy

There were a few minor health scares at the beginning of the year, but when she was given a clean bill of health after ever such a small amount of treatment, I stopped worrying about her. I knew she'd have a chronic condition for the rest of her life but it wasn't anything that couldn't be treated with routine injections of oil and no unduly strenuous exercise.

It came as a real shock when something burst this morning, not 2 minutes after leaving home. She was suddenly convulsed with choking, completely wracked with shuddering, she lost almost all her power and her pace slowed to virtually nothing. Gently, I coaxed her along, willing her up the steeper bits, but I really thought she was a goner as we crossed the Bridge. Miraculously, she made it all the way but I knew I could not expect her to make it home again on her own.

In 20 minutes, it was all over. I'd made a quick call, walked round the corner to my friend's place, Moiya the Motor, and the deal was done. I held the keys in my hand. I'd paid the money. I barely shed a tear as they towed old Nora away.

It was perfect. Just what I needed, low mileage, taxed til March, tested til May, FSH, one lady owner from new, my mate Moiya's mum, and it was silver, so no more trying to get smears out of black shiny paintwork ( which is something I gave up trying to do about 3 weeks after I bought Nora all those years ago).

What do you think of my new wheels?

Actually, mine's the really really old Rover at the back. Not exactly a 350Z but it was significantly cheaper than the last designer handbag I bought and didn't require a bank loan or sale of a kidney.