The Chronicles of Joyce's Bimbocity

Friday morning. I was (as usual) late leaving the house. After gathering my things in the most efficient manner I knew, I quickly got into the car to battle with the peak period jam. Nothing happened. I tried again. Still nothing. Well, something must be wrong with me today! 3rd try. Hmmm... what's this I see? Ah, the headlights were not turned off last night! Which means the car has no more battery.

What to do? I have to call the RAC (it's the equivalent of the Automobiles Association) for help. But wait, I'm not a member yet, though I've been meaning to call them since last week (I never got round to doing it because I had to look up their number on the internet, and I don't have internet acces, because the shop needs a bank statement as proof I can pay them, but my bank doesn't issue statements).

Well, before I confused myself, I reminded myself that I couldn't make any calls anyway, because I've run out of credits on my pre-paid mobile plan. OK, let's use the house phone. Ah, but my host doesn't have one anymore. Er, let's call hubby for help...no, I can't, because he's on morning flight today. (In other words, I'm totally cut off from the outside world, with no internet or phone access.) But let's not digress. Basically, I just need to be in school in 15 minutes time. Without the car, I'll have to take the bus or train. But i don't know how to. Hmmm...so I can't go to school. So I have to inform them that I have to take the day off – they won't mind, they're so generous, and it's not like I'm working there.... BUT I HAVE NO PHONELINE TO CALL THEM WITH.

OK, not a problem. I'll just walk to the shops to recharge my phone.

Repack my bag.

Walk to shops (only 10 minutes!) and go into Big W. Recharge phone. Call school (thank goodness I saved the number! Else I'd have to walk back to call.... at least I did one thing right...)

“Hi Sue, good morning! This is Joyce. Could you take a message for me? I'm so sorry I can't come to school today....er...I left my headlights on all night, so I couldn't start the car this morning. So I can't make my way there.”

Sue expresses sympathy, as it's happened to her too, and wishes me a good day off.

“Could you help me tell Kathleen I'm really sorry?....And you're all allowed to laugh at me.”