Did you just get that? I gasped.
He admitted that he didn’t. But then he moaned that he had a bad back. I started crying. My mind was partly still rushing to the date. I called the date, let him know what had happened. He said he would cancel the restaurant and come to where the accident was. I couldn’t stop crying and apologizing to the taxi driver. But the taxi driver kept scowling at me. He called the police and the ambulance. My head hurt. I called the RAC, who peppered me with a million questions which I had great difficulty in answering. The RAC man was unsympathetic and insensitive. He refused to send a recovery truck until I answered every question. I put the phone down. The ambulance people told me to sit in the back of the ambulance.
You aren’t in any trouble, they said.
They kept asking questions. The police came and asked more questions. I couldn’t remember anything… my address, the name of my insurance company etc. The date kept calling…where is your car?
We thought you looked all dressed up they said.
They asked more questions…how did you meet him? I felt so tired. Another policeman got in the ambulance and said with an air of finality Well you are obviously a very unlucky person. I looked at him. If this was humorous I was, well, just not in the mood. The ambulance people intimated that the taxi driver was pretending to have a bad back.
The date called I’m outside, just next to your van.
I got out to look. I didn’t have my glasses on. I just saw a man looking angrily at me next to my van. I gulped and went closer, I saw it was the taxi driver. Then, a little further away, I saw my date, waving at me.
The taxi driver hissed at me accusingly: You said it was all your fault but your statement to the police doesn’t say that.
I did say it was my fault I wailed.
Fortunately the date stepped in and put a stop to the taxi driver’s bullying behaviour.
That’s what insurance companies are for. He said. They will sort all of this out. Anyway the fact that she went into the back of you means that technically it’s her fault.
When did she die? I asked.
He hesitated: Two months ago.
TWO MONTHS AGO? I thought in my head.
What did she die of?
Er, sudden adult death syndrome…
I looked at him quizzically thinking: does that even exist?
Yes, I was on a bus with her and we were talking and then suddenly her head went back and she was a strange colour. Naturally my training kicked in. I laid her flat on the floor, tried to resuscitate her but by the time the ambulance arrived she was dead.
I stayed silent. For once I didn’t know what to say.
He continued: There has been an autopsy but we are waiting for the inquest. It takes ages.
I looked at his hands. He was still wearing his wedding ring.
Then, the RAC man called: I’m at your vehicle where are you?
I’m in the pub, I’ll be there in ten minutes.
I put my coat on and got up.
Fifteen seconds later, the RAC man called again: Well! Where are you? We have lots of customers waiting you know.
I’ll be there as soon as I can. But it was freezing cold waiting and I needed a drink after the accident.
The date and I walked to my poor little van. It’s nose was all crushed up.
Well goodbye said my date, handing me a packet of licorice.
I got in the RAC man’s van and we drove home. After manoeuvring the crushed up van into my driveway, I went indoors and told my daughter what had happened. During the description, she never once moved her eyes away from ‘I’m a celebrity get me out of here’. She then started laughing at something that happened on ‘I’m a celebrity’.
Why is he calling at this time on a school night? I ask.
My daughter sullenly says: So what. I can’t sleep. Nor can he.
I ask for her phone. She refuses to give it to me. We have a tussle and I manage to get it.
It’s my phone! she screams.
I text the boyfriend saying: Do not call my daughter after 9.30 pm on a school night.
My daughter is screeching: I HATE YOU. You are using my minutes.
It’s not your phone and not your minutes I say. I paid for it. You will do as I say.
The boyfriend texts back: ‘Hey I’ll just make sure I don’t get caught next time, yeah. Cos it doesn’t count then. lol.’
I text: ‘Don’t be so cheeky. I will tell your parents and the school if you continue. You can call later at weekends, not on school nights. I always follow through on my threats’.
I hand the phone back to my daughter. She says:
I wish you had died in that car crash yesterday.
Canal Explorer
So are you seeing him again?
Mainframeguy
*gasp* I'll not be speechless – you deserve a bid hug and a chocolate of your choice (do you like liquorice? I hope so!). Men can be such brutes and it seems you experienced the panoply. The taxi driver does not surprise me, and at least the blind date said the right things THEN. Pardon me my smile at the astrologers. I really wish you comprehensive cover and bonus protection (you'll need them). And to think I just read the start of this post, then had to go out to Dalston to visit Lux.org.uk offices for an assignment and was going to comment about a cheap eatery opposite the Rio for you – maybe another day? Would you like me to give you a call sometime to commiserate? You can have no worse date, ever, period, console yourself with that thought (and when the pain fades you can dine out on this story a little, maybe?).
marmitelover
I'd be very surprised! He hasn't contacted me since. It's not exactly the best way to start a relationship is it? Although I've heard of worse stories (a friend told me that her best friend started a relationship when she was travelling and had the shits. She rushed to the toilet, desperate, and did her business and then realised that a man was already sitting there. Pause to let your imagination work. They eventually got married.)
Anyway he was a bit straight for me, although a very interesting guy. And I think dating 2 months after your wife has died is a bit, well, hasty?
marmitelover
Alas Mainframe guy, I reduced my insurance to third party this summer, due to lack of money.
Yes, great good in Stoke Newington, did you see my bit on the English can cook about the fresh breads they make nearby?
Lets speak soon. Got to go to the dentist now as two teeth have just broken and then go to the police station as I have just received a phone call saying my daughter has been arrested for smoking dope outside school.
marmitelover
great food I meant to say.