Breakdown
Stuttering across the windscreen, the worn wipers on Adrian’s Toyota truck struggled to clear the sudden heavy downpour, failing to give him a good enough view of the road ahead. Mindful of the possibility of other cars heading his way down the small lane, he reduced speed, snapped his lights on full beam and craned forwards, squinting through the glass. Worst of all, the interior surface kept fogging up despite the heater being on full, blasting air onto the inside surface. When he turned into Burntwood Lane, with the tall hedgerow on one side and a wall of elm trees on the other providing a canopy of darkness across the road, he slowed to a crawl.
Just as well, because up ahead in a section partly open to the scant daylight, pulled into a lay-by, he spied the outline of a car. Silhouetted in the lights of Adrian’s van, a distinctly male figure leant over the engine using a phone to shine light into the space beneath the bonnet. Worst of all, the poor guy had no hat or umbrella, only a jacket and jeans, and appeared drenched through. For a fleeting moment Adrian considered driving on, wondered if maybe the person had everything under control and might even be offended by his offer of assistance, however well-intentioned. Until a moment of self-reproach bearing his mother’s voice hit him and he pulled the truck over.
He landed in a deep puddle as he jumped out and cursed momentarily before grabbing a couple of umbrellas from behind the seat. Using his back to close the cab door, he opened one of the umbrellas and headed towards the driver. Sensing his approach, the person straightened and stepped away from the car. Even in shadow he recognised the stance and build of the man. Lenny Day. Adrian’s pace faltered a moment, until he took a breath and continued forward.
“Spot of trouble?”
Lenny’s classy-looking cobalt-blue jacket had darkened with rain across the shoulders. Even the collar of his denim shirt had not escaped the shower, and the stylish blue handkerchief in his top pocket had all but wilted.
“Yes. But it’s fine. I’ve got everything under control.”
Adrian registered the sombre expression and heard the flat tone again, the one Lenny had used at the funeral gathering. This time Adrian was not going to be fobbed off. The man clearly had no idea what he was doing, standing and getting soaked in rain while trying to fix an engine with the light of a smartphone in one hand and nothing in the other.
“What seems to be the problem?”
“It’s the engine.”
Adrian resisted a smirk, resisted providing a quip about Lenny stating the obvious.
“Did it just cut out?”
This time Lenny’s gaze bore into Adrian. Until something in his expression changed. As though a switch had been flicked, he seemed to visibly deflate, huffing out a breath and grimacing in defeat.
“Actually, I haven’t got a clue what I’m doing, Adrian. This is my father’s piece of shit Astra. My mother’s been nagging me to take it for a spin so I thought today would be good while the weather stayed dry. Until the engine cut out almost at the same moment as the heavens opened. Some days you just can’t win. To top it all, I can’t even get a signal on my phone to call someone. Not that I’d know who to call around here. Do you think this is my father’s idea of a parting joke?”
Adrian smirked and handed an umbrella to Lenny.
“Looks as though you’re already soaked through, but try this anyway. I’m not a qualified mechanic, but I’ve had a fair bit of experience with engines. Want me to take a look?”
“Would you mind? I’ll hold the umbrella over you.”
After checking connections and getting Lenny to try the ignition a couple of times—with absolutely nothing happening—Adrian identified the culprit.
“Just before you pulled over, did you notice anything unusual?”
“Yes. The reporter on the local radio station promised sunshine all day.”
Adrian looked away and smiled.
“About the car.”
“Ah, so, the lights flickered a couple of times and there was an odd rumbling sound and a burning smell coming from the engine. And now the lights aren’t working at all.”
“Yeah, just as I thought. Faulty alternator, I’m afraid. And your battery doesn’t look in particularly good shape either.”
“Priceless. So what can I do?”
“Not a lot, I’m afraid. I can drop you at Ted’s. He’s the local mechanic. But he’ll likely need to tow the car back to his garage. Suggest you grab anything you need, lock up, and I’ll drop you there.”
“Shit.”
“Where were you headed? I can always drive you, if you want?”
“Home. As I say, I gave the car a run into Norwich. I was on my way back home for lunch when this happened.”
Lenny seemed to hesitate then.
