Short Story – The Runaround

The Runaround Excuse me, is this your car?” Barron asked the silverhaired lady leaving the opcians laden with a large parcel. “It just so happens that I’m looking for a reliable runaround for my daughter.” “Lucky girl!” The lady smiled warmly, pung the parcel on the back seat. “Would you like to have a look at it at some me?” Barron had been strolling down the high street when he noced the ‘For Sale’ sign taped to the bonnet. He’d bought and sold enough motors to know the asking price was a fracon of what this car was worth. “How about now?” He didn’t actually have a daughter but knew all the tricks to get his hands on a bargain. “Is there anything wrong with it?” he asked suspiciously. The car seemed immaculate inside and out. “I have to be honest,” the lady grimaced, “it does have one very annoying fault. It makes a dreadful beeping sound when I’m driving,” she said apologecally. “Have you taken it back to the dealership?” He frowned. “They said there’s nothing wrong with it.” She shrugged. “They said the only way to stop it beeping is to put my seatbelt on.” Barron rubbed his chin. “I might be willing to overlook it if the price is right.” “Perhaps a test drive would help?” she suggested opmiscally. “Are you free now?” Barron pounced. “How about I drive you home and we can go over the paperwork?” “I suppose so!” The lady seemed surprised. “If you’re genuinely interested?” “Perfect!” Indeed it did seem almost too perfect. With a great display of chivalry, Barron helped the lady into the passenger seat. He adjusted the mirror and turned on the ignion. The engine purred like a kien. “Seatbelts on!” he said cordially. “Before the car starts beeping.” “Very wise,” the lady said. “It really is most annoying.” “I’ll get my man to look at it,” he said, and pulled away. “Though I imagine it will be costly to fix. Where are we heading?” “I live at the end of Barrow Common,” she said. “Do you know it?” “I’m sure I can find it,” Barron said. The tenminute drive was most enjoyable as he contemplated how he was going to knock a few more pounds off the asking price.

“What do you think?” the lady asked, as they pulled up outside her house. “Would she like it?” Barron was about to agree that his imaginary daughter would like it, when he noced a young man coming out of the house. “Mum you’ve done it again, haven’t you?” the man said. “You can’t keep conning people into driving you home.” “But I’ve taken my driving glasses in for repair,” the lady said, retrieving her parcel from the back seat. “How else was I going to get this home?” “What?” Barron was taken aback. “So isn’t the car for sale aer all?” “Sorry mate,” the man said, “she’s given you the runaround.” “Thank you for the li, very kind.” She smiled. “There’s a bus stop just up the road.”

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Using a Travel Agent makes Sense You would expect a travel agent to say that travellers should use the services of a fully accredited travel agent rather than book things on line; but let’s just examine some facts and scenarios: It’s always cheaper to book direct From our experience we have found that in most cases it costs no more to book with a travel agent. Especially when you consider the benefits of the financial protecon and the advice based on experience. Am I financially protected when I book with an airline or hotel direct? No for some unknown reason airlines and hotels do not have to be financially protected in the same way as we do. You have limited protecon if you pay on a credit card but they will not help you find an alternave flight. We hold an ATOL which requires us to be financially sound. In the event that a supplier collapses we will help manage geng your money back and finding an alternave travel opon. 24/7 support The recent coronavirus outbreak has brought home the real benefit

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There are important dates in recent world history such as VE day which will shortly be with us on Friday 8th May. It is 30 years ago though, that Nelson Mandela was released from prison which started the journey from Apartheid to the founding of the Rainbow Naon. Today we see a mul cultural country, struggling at mes, to find a way forward. Tourism is a major posive, employing and training many people whilst we can enjoy a fantasc holiday with world class standards. In 2020, discover stunning South Africa.

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Open: 8am - 6pm Mon - Fri 51 Weeks of the year

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