laura_seabrook | Bringing the Rauni Home

I brought the Rauni home yesterday.

I gave up trying to get a permit to surreptitiously drive her home. I phoned around, and found a company that would tow her for a flat $60 (15 km, or $4/km). I might have got it cheaper, but that seemed reasonable.

The first thing I did was check the car. She seemed alright, and fairly clean after two days of heavy rain. I also found a missing battery for my mobile on the floor of the driver's side, so I was able to phone the company directly. Rather than have the car towed straight away (it was 1pm) I arranged for her to be towed a 4pm. Then I went to Stocklands in Jesmond, and later Wallsend Plaza, and did some pet food and other shopping, stowing the stuff in the car. It all got towed home together.

I also had lunch at Henny Penny, which was the least I could do considering that my car'd been parked in their car park for the last 8 days. I also introduced myself as the owner of the car and said that it would be removed at 4pm. They seemed relieved that I'd finally made an appearance. They also seemed puzzled, saying that the policeman who'd removed the plates had said that it hadn't been reported stolen. I was too embarrassed to tell the truth, so I lied. I told them that I'd been fixing it up for sale, and that my nephew had taken it for a joy ride. They accepted that entirely.

But I can't lie to myself. I fucked up due to my own actions, and have to accept responsibility for that. On the way home, sitting in the drivers cab of the truck, I felt initially relieved to get the Rauni moved, but as we crossed the bridge in Barnsley I felt very very sad.