Peter & ?

Ashton started the car, backed-up a couple of meters, stopped and went forward again. He stopped, opened the door and leant out, looking underneath it.

“Bugger!”

“Have we got a problem?”

“We have. It’s not huge, but it’s a problem. We’ve got a flat tyre. I must’ve run over some glass or something. What are you like at changing a wheel?”

“Hopeless! I know the theory, but I’ve never seen it done.”

“It’s about time you learnt then. It’s not a big deal; it will just take a couple of minutes.”

They got out, opened the back of the car and got the tools out. Ashton fitted the jack in place and loosened the nuts with the wheel-brace.

He started jacking the car up and said, “Can you get the spare wheel out, Peter? It’s under the floor in the boot.”

Peter brought it out and stood watching as Ashton lifted the wheel off.

“Ashton, I think there’s another problem.”

“Problem?”

“Yeah, this one is flat too.”

“It’s what? It can’t be! Oh, damm. Now we’ve really got troubles.”

“Could we try pumping it up? That might get us back to town.”

“Yeah, we could try that, if we had a pump, but we haven’t. Sorry, Peter, I think we’re stuck.”

“You’ve got no pump?”

“No, I’ve never bothered. BMW’s are not supposed to have these troubles.”

“You think? Princesses are not supposed to die in drunken car-crashes, but they do. What do we do now? Do we call for help?”

He put the wheel, with its flat tyre, back in place. “We’d have to call really loud. There’s no cellphone coverage around here."

“Oh dear.”

“Oh dear is right. Bugger, in fact. We’ve got 2 options. I could drive back with a flat tyre, but that would totally stuff it and I can’t afford a new one, or I could walk back with the spare wheel and get it fixed.

I suppose that’s the only thing to do. Hopefully, someone will bring me back once it’s fixed. I’ll go and you stay here and guard the car. Lock yourself in it and don’t talk to strangers.”

“I’ll come with you and help carry the wheel. But, no. Someone does have to stay here in case the car gets trashed. It’s your car, Ashton. You guard it and I’ll take the wheel into town.”

“Peter, you can’t carry it all that way.”

“So I’ll roll it, like a hoop. Someone might feel sorry for me and give me a ride.”

“Well I would, if I could. I’m sorry, Peter.”

“I’m sorry too.”

“What are you sorry for? It’s not your fault.”

“It’s not yours either. These things happen and it’s no-one’s fault so stop apologizing.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Thanks Peter. Give me a hug!”

“Anytime.”

They stood hugging each other on the side of the road and broke apart when another car pulled in beside them. They looked and grinned; it was another BMW. The sole occupant, a dark-haired lady in blue jeans and an old t-shirt, opened the door and got out.

“Hello Boys. Having trouble are you?”

“Yeah, we are,” Ashton answered. “We’ve got a flat.”

“So you’re putting the spare on?”

“We were going to, but that’s flat too. I don’t know how that happened, but it is.”

“And you’ve got no pump?”

“No, we haven’t. I didn’t think I’d need one.

“Neither did I. I haven’t got one either. Sorry. How far is it to Kaimoana now?”

“Not that much. It’s about 10k’s from here.”

“Too far to walk with a wheel. I’m going there now, so I’ll take you into town.”

“Would you? That’d be great! Thanks.”

“Not a problem. We BMW owners have to stick together,” she smiled. “Is it your car, or your father’s?”

“No, it’s mine. I got it for my 16th birthday, kind-of.”

“Kind of?”

“Yeah. Long story. Peter, you go to town with the nice lady, I’ll wait here and watch the car.”

“Is that really necessary?”

“Yeah, it is. It shouldn’t be, but it is. A car sitting out here all alone would get broken into or something. It’s a busy road and there’s lots of clowns around.”

“You’re probably right. Okay then, Peter, put your wheel on the back-seat and you can show me where to go.”

“I will. Thank you, you’re a lifesaver. Wait here, Ashton. I’ll get the puncture fixed, and then ask Mr. Duncan, at the garage, to drive me back. You be careful and lock yourself in the car if there’s any trouble. I’ll get back as soon as I can.”

“Okay, I’ll be careful. A hug before you go?”

“Of course.”

They hugged, unembarrassed, and the Peter got into the other car and they went to town.

As they drove along, the lady said, “Your name is Peter and you live in Kaimoana? Would your other name be de Groot by any chance?”

“Yes it is! I’m Peter de Groot. How did you know that?”

“Just a lucky guess. We had a couple of Kaimoana boys at home last weekend. Do you know Dylan and William?”

“Dylan James and his cousin? Yes, I know Dylan, kind-of. Ashton knows him.”

“That’s Ashton back there? Are you two . . . well, are you a couple?”

“Oh yes! We are and we’re staying there too.”

“That’s good. I’ve got 2 gay sons, so I know what it’s like. It’s not always easy, but it can be good. My boys are both in stable relationships and very happy with them.”

“That’s cool. So are we. Where are you from?”

“Oh, over on the Coast. What do your parents do?”

“Father is a baker. Mother is, well, she’s a mother and a good one too.”

“That’s good. That’s very good. You’re a lucky boy.”

“I am. My parents are good people; they’re the best. I love them and they love me too. It’s all good.”

“Do they know about your relationship with Ashton?”

“Yes, they do. They like Ashton and they’re happy that I’m happy.”

“That’s excellent, Peter. You certainly are a lucky kid. Hang on to what you’ve got.”

“I will, thanks. Are you staying in Kaimoana?”

“Just for a couple of days. I’ve got some business to see to. I’m staying at the Ocean View Motels. Maybe you can tell me where to find them?”

“No trouble. It’s only a little town, but it’s a great town. I hope your business goes well, but do take the time to look around while you’re here. It’s a beautiful place and we’re very proud of it.”

“Thank you, Peter. I’m sure it will go well. In fact, I’m quite certain of it now. Is this the town here?”

“Oh no, that’s just a suburb. That is South Bay. Kaimoana is over on the other side of the hill. Go up to the top of the hill, turn right and I’ll show you where to go.”

They took the right-turn and went down into the town, on the back-road on the other side.

“That’s my home there – the blue house with all the gardens.”

“Should I drop you off here then?”

“No, not yet thanks. Keep going down the street there and turn right at the end. We’ll go to the motel, and then I’ll walk back to the Service Station to get the tyre fixed.

Oh. Could you please wait a minute while I run in to get some money? Ah, no, sorry. Don’t worry. I’ll call in on my way back.”

“You need cash? Don’t you have a bankcard?”

“No, I never have any money of my own. We have to watch every dollar and save for the Plan.”

“What is the Plan?”

“For Father’s business. Everything is for that.”

“I see. And you don’t get pocket-money?”

“No, I don’t need it. I have to help my parents with the Plan.”

“Indeed. You’re a good kid, I think, Peter de Groot.”

“I’m just me.”

“And where have I heard that before?”

“Sorry?”

“Oh, nothing. I was just thinking about another kid I knew. He was a good boy too. You live there with your parents. They’ve got a great garden, do you help them with it?”

“As much as I can. Mother is a good gardener. She grows most of the food we eat.”

“She does? To save for the Plan, I guess.”

“Yes, that’s it. The Plan comes first. Mother always says that a dollar saved is a dollar earned.”

“Sounds sensible to me. They don’t spend their money on a flash house, do they?”

“No, of course not. I know it’s nothing much, it’s little and old, but it’s our home. It’s warm and comfortable and it’s all we need.”

“I totally agree, Peter. If your home is warm and full of love, then you’re as rich as anyone.”

“Oh, we are! We are very rich.”

“I couldn’t agree more. You’re a lucky kid and I think your parents are lucky to have you as well. Let’s find this motel, shall we?”

They carried on down the side-street, turned right and along to the motels on the waterfront.

“It’s a small town,” Peter grinned. “Ashton’s parents own this place.”

“They do? It is a small town. Maybe they will help you to get the tyre fixed.”

“No, they wouldn’t do that.”

“Why not? It’s their boy’s car.”

“Well, they don’t like me. They wouldn’t help me. It’s okay, I’ll get it repaired, no worries.”

“Hmm. They don’t like their son’s friend?”

“They don’t. They don’t like their son much either. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. That is their business.”

“Don’t be sorry, Peter. I’m glad you told me. I’ve got no time for small-minded people.”

“But I shouldn’t have said it. It is a good motel, you’ll be comfortable here.”

“I’d better be! What’s your plan now? Will you call your father to come and get you?”

“No, Ma’am. We don’t have any phones. We don’t have a car either. I’ll roll the wheel along the sidewalks. Mr. Duncan, at the Garage, will fix it and he’ll help us. He’s a good man.”

“And where is Mr. Duncan’s garage?”

“It’s not far. It’s up on the highway at the other end of the main street.”

She backed-out into the street again. “We’ll go there then.”

“You really don’t have to worry. You’ve brought me all the way into town and that’s more than enough. Thank you. I can walk now.”

“You can shut up, Peter,” she smiled. “I’m in no hurry. I’ve brought you this far and I’ll take you to the garage.”

“Okay, thank you. That’s very nice of you. But I’ll have to go home and get some money first.”

“We’ll go back there first then. Don’t argue with me, I’m a mother and I’m used to getting my own way.”

“Aren’t they all? No, sorry,” he blushed. “I shouldn’t have said that either. I’ve got such a big mouth sometimes.”

“No you haven’t,” she laughed. “I think you’re delightfully honest actually.”

Back at Peter’s home, she stopped in the street outside and Peter got out. “Thanks. I’ll just be a minute.”

He ran inside, up the brick path between the house and the gardens. When he returned, there was an older lady with him, wearing a shawl (‘?’) and long, voluminous skirts. They stopped at the gate, she pulled out a purse and handed it to him with a smile. She came over to the car and looked in.

“Hello there. Thank you for helping Peter and Ashton. You are most kind and we appreciate it. I’m sorry, Peter did not tell me your name?”

The lady smiled. “That’s because I didn’t tell him. The name doesn’t matter. I’m just another traveller on life’s highway. You have a delightful son, Mrs. de Groot and it’s a pleasure to help him.”

“Thank you. Peter is a good boy and a good son. Ashton is too. Thank you for helping them.”

“No problems. We couldn’t see another BMW driver stuck, and it really is a pleasure. Shall we go, Peter?”

“Yes, of course. Good bye, Mother, I’ll be back soon.”

“Goodbye my Son, you take care out there. Goodbye Lady, have a nice journey.”

“I will, thanks.”

She drove back to the waterfront, turned left, along the main street and up to the service Station on the highway. “Your mother is a nice lady.”

“Yes, she is. She’s great. Father is too.”

“And so is the son, I think. Have you got any brothers and sisters?”

“No, there’s just me, but my cousins are living with us for a while, there’s three of them, all boys. My Uncle and Aunty are too, so we have a busy house now.”

“In that little house, it must be busy! Where do you all sleep?”

“Uncle and Aunty have the bedroom. There’s only one so Mother and Father are sleeping in the living-room and the boys and I are all in the bus. Everybody has a bed, that’s all we need.”

“If you say so. Is this the Service Station that you want?”

“Yes, this is the one. There’s only two in town, this one is Mr. Duncan’s.”

She stopped in the forecourt. Peter got out and took the wheel out of the back.

“Thank you again. You’ve been great, rescuing us.”

“You’re very welcome, Peter. It was nice to meet you. Will you be okay now? I could wait and take you back to Ashton.”

“No, don’t worry. You’ve done plenty. Mr. Duncan will look after us now. He’s a good man.”

“A friend of yours of course? Okay then, Peter. I’ll leave you for now. But, tell me something. Was that your mother’s purse that she gave you?”

“Yes, it was. It’s all of her housekeeping money.”

“And she trusts you not to waste any.”

“She does. I wouldn’t do that.”

“No, I didn’t think that you would. Goodbye then, and good luck.”

“Thank you and goodbye. Umm. You didn’t tell me your name?”

“I didn’t, did I? But I’m delighted to have met you. It was very timely I think.” She smiled and drove away.

“It was very timely for us,” Peter said to himself. “You are a good lady.”