It was the morning for

selling the car, but

when I went out to start it,

it wouldn't go. Greg went

to get petrol on the bike. I

rang the A.A. Then Ray

arrived. I said I'm sorry, he

said don't worry and looked at

the car and at the wheels and

in the boot and said she's a lovely

old thing. He tapped the coil

and the fuel pump to try to

make it go. Greg came back

with petrol, but that didn't help.

Then, because there was nothing else

to do, we went inside and had coffee

and Ray smoked and talked about

going to Outward Bound and sleeping

and losing a stone.

Then Murray came.

He drove up the hill in his yellow

A.A. car, shaking his head. Got out and said

I was sure you were having me on. Last time I was

here you said you were selling it

and the other day I saw you walking

through town and I thought 'thank god she's

sold that thing'. He cleaned the carburettor

and laughed. Put more petrol in, replaced a

filter. I said I wasn't joking, there's

someone here who wants to buy it. Murray

laughed and said sure. No, no, I said. it's

true. Ray. See, there he is, up at the

window. Murray looked up and Greg and Ray

waved. How much is he paying for it? asked

Murray. I started to say and he stopped

me. Said, no, on second thoughts, don't tell

me. I don't want to hear about this.

Ray came down and took over

holding up the bonnet of the car.

What's your name? he asked Murray.

Murray, said Murray. Well I'm

Ray, this is Greg and this is

Jen. Hello Murray, we said.

And then the car started.