To the victor the spoils

Today was 'crunch day' in the life of the 'white van from hell (v.2)'

This week, has in general, not been a good one, a small nightmare one way and another would probably be a closer description but today finished it off suitably horribly....though as ever the cloud had a silver lining!

The van from hell has, as you know, had many and various problems but to give my employer their due they had begun to sort them out. I have for instance two new tyres, a repaired door and a replacement wing and indicator on order.

None of that however would have helped today's little 'incident'.

This afternoon, almost at the end of my driving day, as I approached a roundabout and a queue of stationary traffic, my accelerator took it upon itself to stick, infact not only did it stick, it upped the revs.....not a good situation!!!! It was one of those moments when things begin to move in slow motion and you just know this is not scenario you want to be dealing with!

My reaction I have to admit was kinda 'knee jerk', I knocked it into neutral, stamped on the brakes and accompanied by the sound of squealing tyres and flying sandwiches I eventually came to a screaming halt....hitting the kerb broadside en route. Phew. No damage done, just some rather disapproving looks from nearby vehicles and a racing heart!

I gathered my wits and returned to 'base' where I recounted this incident to 'Mr very stupid employer man'....who didn't seem to believe me, saying that it hadn't happened to him! Well no, I assumed it hadn't or he might not have driven it again. Tsk! My hackles were up...I have had my fill of this guy this week one way and another and I am somewhat beyond fearing losing the job.....a very 'heated exchange' followed!

Now, lest you be fooled that he actually cares whether I live or die I would like to assure you he does not but what he does obsess care about is the mighty dollar. One can only assume that the possibility I was telling him the truth dawned upon him.....and with it the possibility that if I was injured I could very well be into him and his little nest egg in a big way...... because by some miraculous intervention ( I can think of no other likely explanation) he suddenly offered me a new van.....an almost brand new one, a bigger one, one with lights and tyres and doors and locks and all sorts of other exciting paraphernalia, you know, the kind of stuff other peoples vans are sporting in the 21st century....... ;o)

Hey ho.....I might have had a dreadful week, a damn near miss and a prolonged shouting match but as of Monday I have a van that actually has all the bits it is supposed to have!!!!