Who would have thought that filling up my husband’s car this morning would have been such a challenge! I have been filling cars since time immemorial so when I was driving to the gym and heard the alarm to warn me that in fifty miles I would need fuel, I had no qualms in going to the petrol station after my class.
There was an offer on at one of the large supermarkets so the queues of cars stretched back into the main road. I was undeterred. I had time to wait and my husband would be happy that his pension had been wisely spent! I listened to the radio and checked my emails. The time passed by pleasantly and I found myself behind two aged gentlemen filling their cars so my wait was coming to an end. Or so I thought!
The gentleman directly in front of me filled his car and went into the kiosk to pay. In front of him the first gentleman was still holding the nozzle and staring at the petrol pump, immobile. He was still holding this pose when the gentleman in front of me returned, climbed into his car and started his engine.
We both sat and waited, watching the figure, still not moving, one hand holding the nozzle and his body turned towards the pump, It felt like an eternity. The gentleman in front of me moved closer to the statue’s car. I had turned the engine off as it made no sense to leave it running!
We both sat and waited. We couldn’t get out. I looked behind me. There were at least five cars in my queue. The forecourt was a hive of activity. All the other lanes were moving at a sensible pace. The gentleman in front of me edged closer. I turned on the ignition and moved forward. I could just make out the petrol gauge. It had stopped. So what was the holdup?
It was then that I noticed the petrol gauge move, just fractionally and then stop. In the blink of an eye it moved again. Then stopped. So that was the reason for the intense concentration and the huge delay! Said gentleman was trying to get the amount to round up to the nearest pound! I’d seen this happen before but to younger, more agile customers! The amount showed £23.97! I blinked and then it was £23.98. We had two pennies to go!
The next blink saw the amount change to £24.01! I held my breath, a feeling of dread washing over me! With baited breath I stared at the gauge, then at the statue. It felt like an eternity before the gauge shot forward then stopped. £24.66. The tension was building in my shoulders and neck! It felt as if time had stood still. The gentleman in front of me suddenly climbed out of his car. He walked towards the statue. He laid a hand on the statue’s arm. Gently he prized open the statue’s fingers, took hold of the nozzle and I watched in awe as the petrol gauge shot forward and stopped at £25.00.
So, to cut this long story short, the statue paid for his petrol, I filled my husband’s car and could continue with my day. This must be just another form of mental illness. Now that I am sitting at home nursing a delicious cup of tea I feel sorry for this poor elderly gentleman. I could not imagine living like that! It is so sad and I feel bad about being so annoyed. I apologise unreservedly 👠
Jenny Burrell 