It was the calm before the storm,
The out come and dilemma of the who would fill the last mini bus driver position hung high over the remaining divers. All of them were polite, offering to take the job of the day long trip but secretly agendas aiming for the comfy rear seats were afoot !!!!!!!!
The choice was made, it was going to be me! having offered to drive on the first trip I found the chance to drive this time an overwhelmingly uncomfortable experience to look forward too, but the company was going to great and the trip was going to start as it meant to go on………fantastic…………
Thursday afternoon came along, I got the call and suddenly PANIC !!!!!!! only 5 mins before I have to leave work and make for the rental shop, the phone rang??? do I answer or do I make a break for it? The office door slammed and the key turned ‘click’…… the phone was still ringing…….good old answer phone.
As is typical when you are tight for time, you portrait this psychic aura that screams “stop me now and hold me up i have plenty of time for meaningless chitchat and waffle, I really don’t need to know your problems right this second. i have some where to be !!’ Bitter? yes I was. The 5 minute walk to the car took 10, and the traffic was building, I could smell it but finally I was in the car and rushing to get home. again the agencies were kenieving to keep me from my goal, the clock ticking I had to seek help. Instructor extraordinare Carl rushed to my aid ‘Carl please please please call the rental shop for me I may be a little later then 5” it was 4.50 and I was 15 minutes away, so the satnav said. Ring Ring, it was Carl ‘Mate, the shop is open till 6pm, the lady said to take your foot off the accelerator and calm down……..’. Suddenly relief washed over me and the car seat felt so much better.
Home, park the car, open the front door, DAM key wont work!!!! curse and swear!!!!! dog barks and the cat threatens me on the doorstep. Now where did I leave the paper license and utility bill. TICK TICK TICK…..Let the dog out, avoid the cat and make a break for the door. Key worked, YAYE ….
Back on the road and the trip continued to the rental shop. Now starts the battle royal of peak time traffic. Keeping calm I made a break for it and 15 minutes later I made the shop, 10 minutes later and after some pertinent questions as to how I drive ! ! ! I am on the drivers list, if only I told them the truth……….
Now to the club to drop off the dive gear, happy times are coming.
Arriving late as usual the gang were hanging round the back of the mini bus like bears round honey….so sweet. after the cursory salutations and comedic insults it was out with the dive gear to load up. Jackie (Mother Hen) took point and led the loading process like a pro (having at least 12 bags herself….what did she say about her toys and gadgets…..?) and saying good night for the few hours before the off, I drove home taking the scenic route, still to pack ‘oh joy and rapture’ and wondering where we will be stopping for breakfast and if I will get any choice in the matter…….
To be continued……
