I listlessly strummed a chord on my guitar, then gave up with a sigh, resting my chin on the curve in its body.
‘What’s the matter with you?’ my mum asked, walking into my room with an armful of laundry.
‘Nothing,’ I sighed again. She rolled her eyes.
‘Is this about that stupid car again–’
‘Why haven’t they called yet?’ I interrupted. ‘They said it would only take a couple of hours.’
‘Yes… and they told us that an hour ago.’
‘Still,’ I frowned. ‘They could have finished early. Or it could have been hit by a truck in the street. Did you see how they just left it in the street?’
‘Honey,’ she sighed, sitting down next to me on the bed. ‘I get that your first car is a… special relationship. But it’s only a car service. Malvern East isn’t even that far away. You could probably get on the roof and watch them working on it from here!’
My eyes lit up, and hers hardened.
‘Don’t even think about it.’
I deflated a little.
‘What if I never see it again?’
She took a deep, soothing breath, and moved closer to me on the bed, grasping my hand.
‘I promise you’ll see your car again,’ she started. ‘The people we took it to are the best mechanics around. Malvern East is where everyone takes their cars. They’re that good.’
‘Really? Everyone brings their cars here?’
‘Well,’ she shrugged, ‘everyone from Malvern East, sure.’
I frowned and she laughed at me, nudging me in the ribs until my glare cracked and I was grinning too.
‘Now,’ she said, jumping to her feet. ‘How do you feel?’
‘Better,’ I smiled up at her. ‘Thanks, Mum.’
‘You’re welcome. Now get up and clean up this room, because if it isn’t spotless by the time they call I swear I’ll take a baseball bat to the stupid car myself.’