Chapter 9 #2
She needed to find some help. Ring a garage.
Oh, and thinking of how the car was stuck in a possibly dangerous place, tell the police.
101, that was it. This wasn’t quite a 999 emergency.
She rifled through her handbag for her mobile.
The signal wasn’t great here but a bar appeared on her screen.
Standing still, ensuring she was well back from the road, she dialled.
Cath began to explain her situation and location as best she could to the operator; considering she was in the middle of bloody nowhere between Longframlington and Kirkton.
So much for the scenic route. The operator confirmed they were going to try and send a vehicle out to help alert other drivers, but advised it might take some time.
A car whizzed past her abandoned vehicle, and then her.
Ah, great. It didn’t even stop to help. Mind you, she didn’t fancy getting into a vehicle with a complete stranger, either.
She knew that the Mini only had a puncture repair kit and no spare wheel on board.
Not that she’d have known how to change a wheel by herself, anyhow.
It was a Sunday, and she didn’t know any local garage or tyre companies’ telephone numbers.
Google was struggling with the lack of decent signal out here for any internet roaming, too.
Will … ring Will, came to mind. And she did.
He answered within two dial tones. Phew. ‘Hey, how’s it going? Good trip to see Adam?’ He sounded all cheery.
‘It was … but ah, it’s all gone wrong. I’m stuck, somewhere on the 697. Tyres blown, and the Mini’s knackered.’
‘Shit. Are you okay?’
‘Yeah, yeah, I’m okay, just shaken up a bit.
’ She felt a bit teary all of a sudden, remembering how close a call that lorry had been.
‘I just don’t know who to call out. I’ll need a new tyre, wheel probably, too.
It looks pretty wrecked. Just missed a huge lorry by …
’ She puffed out a sigh, and then took a sniff, trying to hold back her tears.
‘Hey, I’m coming out to get you. Where are you?’
‘Umm, well, I passed Longfram’ maybe five … ten minutes ago. I’m not exactly sure. There aren’t really any landmarks … just moorland.’
‘Ah, I’ve an idea where you are. Are you safe? Are you out of the car?’
‘Yeah, yeah. I got out okay. I’m walking up the side of the road …
on the verge. I’ve called 101. Perhaps I’d better stay near the car for when they send someone out.
’ A chill ran through her, even though it was now May, she found herself feeling cold in her light summer jacket.
When she’d dressed for her journey home, she hadn’t imagined she’d be stuck outside, nor on the edge of the moors.
The shock may have had something to do with it, too.
‘Okay, I’m on my way. And I’ll call out the Kirkton garage from the car. I’m pretty sure they have a 24-hour recovery service. Stay safe, yeah.’
‘Yeah. Thank you.’ When someone then passed by in a car, she felt the whoosh and heat of it, it felt way too close. ‘Damn, it’s not the best bit of road here.’
She also feared another driver wouldn’t spot the warning lights, and end up hurtling right into the back of her Mini.
That would be so awful … and she daren’t think of anyone getting hurt because of her having to stop there – even if it was through no fault of her own.
Yes, she’d wait for the police, or whoever they might send.
Scaling the stone wall, she looked for somewhere to sit this out in the rough moorland.
Finding a rock to settle on, she had a feeling it was going to be a long, chilly wait.
*
Boy was she happy to see Will’s blue hatchback appear along the road, twenty-five minutes later, and pull over with his hazards on beside the Mini. She waved from her bum-numbing rocky perch on the moorland grass rise, and headed down to the stone wall to meet him.
Wrapping her up first in a hug, and then a cosy sweatshirt he had to hand. ‘You all right?’ he asked, looking concerned. Aw, he’d even thought to bring her one of his fleeces.
‘Yeah, it could have been far worse. The tyre’s totally blown out. I lost control of the steering at that point.’
He looked down at the passenger side of the car, and puffed out his cheeks. ‘Whoa! Looks like you had a lucky escape. Come on, get yourself into my car. I think I’ll move it further down the road, somewhere safer. I spotted a layby just before.’
‘What about the police? They’re meant to be coming to put out some warning signs or something … I ought to be here, I suppose … oh, and the garage, did you manage to get hold of anyone yet?’
‘Yep, all sorted. There’s a tyre specialist coming out in the next hour, and if they can’t sort it roadside, they say they can organise a recovery vehicle to follow.’
‘Aw, thank you, Will.’ She felt like a weight had been lifted. She was by no means inept. She dealt with most situations in life head-on, and managed to sort things out. But it was such a relief to have someone looking out for her, helping her through a difficult time. Someone who cared for her.
‘Let’s leave a note on the car window with your number and a message, and we’ll sit it out together somewhere safer down the road. We’ll no doubt spot the tyre van going past, anyhow. It’ll be far better waiting in the layby than here.’
‘Yes, of course. And are you sure you’re okay waiting on with me? I’m not spoiling any plans?’
‘It’s fine. We’ll get the car sorted, then I can take you home. In the meantime, you can tell me all about yesterday, and your trip to see Adam. How’s he doing?’