Date: 7 March 2005
Characters: Ernie Macmillan & Eleanor Branstone
Location: Tewkesbury and the surrounding area.
Status: Private
Summary: Eleanor takes Ernie for his first car ride.
Completion: InComplete
(
Why this car is automatic. It’s systematic. It’s hydromatic… )
"Just let me know if you're finished with it by your next day off, and we'll do it then," she said, reaching across the table to give his hand a squeeze.
When the meal was finished Eleanor smiled over at him. "So, what would you like to do next?"
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The waitress brought the check and he snatched it up before Eleanor could. Heading off any protests, he insisted that it was only fair that he pay since she was driving him around. He'd sold a few comic books in London for money.
Once he'd received his change and carefully calculated the proper tip, they left. On the way out, he took Eleanor's hand again and they walked back to the car. After she unlocked the door, he held it open for her.
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She shook her head with a smile as he insisted on paying. She squeezed his hand before letting go to unlock the door. Before she started the car, she leaned over him and rummanged through the glove box. "Gum?" she asked, offering the pack to him after taking a stick for herself.
She pulled out onto the road, and headed off toward somewhere quieter than town. So they wouldn't have to make so many stops, she told herself.
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"Any idea when you'll take your OWLs?" he asked, curious about how the new school was run. He glanced out the window every so often, wondering if they were getting back on the motorway or if they were going somewhere else.
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Eleanor headed to a country road. They'd still be able to go faster than in town, but there wouldn't be quite so many cars around, which appealed to Eleanor for some reason.
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"It's lovely here," he said. Although he wasn't exactly looking out the window when he said that.
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She looked out the window and spotted a dirt road up ahead. "Hey, would you like to learn how to drive?"
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"Really? I'm allowed to do that? I mean...don't you need a permit or such?"
Before he knew it, Eleanor was pulling the car off to the side of the dirt road. She turned to him and he realized she was waiting for an answer to her question.
"Of course I would! What do I need to do?"
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He pushed down on the clutch with his left foot and shifted into first gear. He let the clutch pedal come up while pushing down on the fuel pedal with his right foot. The car jumped and shuddered before the engine completely stopped.
"Sorry. I'm sorry," he apologized. Eleanor just smiled encouragingly and Ernie nodded, determined to master this.
After several false starts, he managed to let up on the clutch and push down on the fuel in the right proportion. Slowly, they moved down the dirt road.
"I did it!" Ernie said, looking over at Eleanor, and whooping loudly. When he looked forward again, they were heading for a tree. He twisted the wheel hard and jammed on the brake pedal with both his right and left foot. The car ground to a halt.
Now, he understood what seatbelts were for.
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It took him a few tries, but he eventually got the car moving. Eleanor grinned over at him clapped her hands together excitedly. "You did!"
Her eyes widened when she turned back toward the windscreen and realized they where headed toward a tree. "Brake," she gasped, gripping the door and the dash, just in case.
Slumping in relief, Eleanor took a few moments to let her heart beat and breathing get back to normal. Then she looked over at Ernie. "Could have happened to anyone," she said sincerely, her eyes still round as saucers. She reached over and took his hand. "You did good, though. Just have to remember to keep your eyes on the road next time."
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