Day 54: Double Sixes

This morning I snap at my mother.  That's less than twenty-four hours.  More like eighteen - and I've been asleep for eight of them.  At least I recover my composure quickly and apologise, but still feel ashamed and guilty.  Her advice on how to run a bath was well-meant.  Guess I'd better make a start on another COC (Cushion of Contrition). 

Into Maidstone to meet my sister.  With a crazed sense of optimism (see Day Thirty-Eight) I decide to get there early, and revisit the scene of yesterday's kerb incident.  Maybe, just maybe, I'll find my hubcap.  It's been twenty-one hours since I lost it (I know, I know - with all this talk of hours, I'm practically Jack Bauer), and on a busy one-way system, I realise there's little hope.  Even if I find it, it will be mashed.  I scout the pavement.  No sign, so I ask a passing street sweeper if he's seen it.  He hasn't, but I still need to give it another shot.  Just as I'm about to give up, I happen to glance across the road.  And there's a hubcap, lying under some bins in the car park of an Indian restaurant.  On its back like a disempowered beetle, so I can't tell if it's mine, but I have a strong sense that it is.  And I am right.  Against the odds, it has managed to roll across two lanes of fast moving traffic and remain completely intact.  Massive result - I cradle it back to the car, hands filthy with oil and dirt, but beaming.  The mangled state of the steel rim remains a worry, but one thing at a time. 

Silliness and coffee in Caffe Nero with Charlotte and Matt (main topic - pornography).  Silliness and chicken in Nando's (main topic - festival in-tent piss systems).  Even more silliness and rudery in The Druid's Arms (main topic - obscure words for genitals).  Agenda complete.   

Charlotte subsidises her degree course by working in a garage (Medway Citroen in Chatham), so I canvass her opinion on the wheel.  The prognosis is strong potential for a blow-out.  Not good.  An expensive trip to Kwik fit is on the cards.  Really not good. 

But not so fast!  There is another way.  Massive thanks to all at Medway Citroen, especially Reg, who hammers the wheel into perfect shape for the price of a hug.  And thanks to Charlotte for being an ace sister and very useful with a jack.  And thanks to Matt for wheel nut magic. 

Four wheels on my wagon.  All intact.  All with hubcaps.  That's how I roll today.  Double sixes all round.