“See, See What did I tell you, I told you something was going to happen!” She screamed at him.
“For God’s sake, it’s ok! I know this area we can walk to the garage it’s not far” He told her trying to calm her down.
The walk had turned out to be a lengthy one. Jessica was exhausted by the time they got there and, to make matters worse the garage was closed.
“Oh no the garage is closed, what are we going to do now?” Jessica whined.
“We’ll ask in the hotel what time it opens? It might be a twenty four hour garage”
He tried reassuring her.
In the Hotel foyer the receptionist was sat behind the desk,
“Hello, do you know if the garage is open next door? Only my car has broken down” Paul inquired.
The receptionist slowly looked up from the article she was reading and with a tone of irritation she snapped.
“It’s closed for the night!”
Jessica was starting to get a hysterical.
“What are we going to do? We’re in middle of nowhere” She screamed.
With that a news flash came on the Television in the hotel foyer. A fix set looking man read the statement with a stern voice:
“A dangerous lunatic has escaped the local mental institute. He can be identified by the hook he has for a left hand. If you see this man do not approach him, phone the number on the bottom of the screen.”
Jessica became more hysterical and Paul realised he had to calm her down and quickly.
“ Please Jess, listen to me nothing is going to happen to you, we can stay here for the night and the mechanic will pick the car up in the morning and fix it, then we can go home” Paul said looking into Jessica’s eyes trying to reassure her.
“Is it possible we could get a room for the night please” Paul asked the receptionist who by now was more helpful and petrified herself”
“Sure no problem” replied the receptionist
The receptionist told Paul
“The garage was open at 8am, and that she would leave a message for the mechanic to come over”. He could tell him where the car was and pick it up. She took the payment for the room and gave them directions.
The room was dark and musty smelling. The air conditioning was broken, making the room stuffy and airless. Their night’s sleep was far from peaceful. Jessica was increasingly agitated tossing and turning, made her feel muggy and sweaty. This of course had an effect on Paul who was trying to reason with himself that it was only a fox they had hit.
Paul watched the minutes slowly tick by on the clock. When he next looked it was 7.30am, he must have fallen asleep at some point while he was thinking to himself. He felt exhausted after only having a few hours sleep. He decided to have a shower to refresh himself before going to see the mechanic.
By the time he had got out of the shower, Jessica was awake.
“I’ll go and tell the mechanic where the car is. And then we can go and have breakfast while we wait, if you like?” Paul said to Jessica.
“Do you think he’ll be able to fix it today?” Jessica asked nervously.
“Sure no problem, you have a shower I’ll be back soon” he reassured Jessica.
The mechanic was waiting for Paul,
“Hi” said Paul as he stretched out his hand to shake the mechanic’s hand.
“My car’s about five miles down the road. We were driving when we went over something. I think it was a fox, but I’m not sure. It’s parked by the side of the road” Paul told him.
“Ok mate, I’ll go pick it up with my truck, do you have the keys?” the mechanic asked.
“Yeah sure, I’ll be waiting in the diner having breakfast” Paul said as he passed the keys over.
Paul went back to meet Jessica and they went for breakfast. They hadn’t been there long when the mechanic came in looking very puzzled.
“I’ve picked your car up” he said with a lingering tone.
“But there’s nothing wrong with it, I’ve had a look under the bonnet and I found this” he said handing something silver to Paul.
Paul looked at the item. It was a hook. Paul and Jessica looked at each other, then at the mechanic and then at the hook again.
“That’s the hook off the lunatic on the Television last night” screamed Jessica.
“No, don’t be silly! it can’t be” Paul said.
Was it the hook! No one could be sure!