Technophobe!

by Matt Crawley

  Chapter 1

  "I got something to show you. Come on out." Uncle Charlie signalled with a tilt of his head for his nephew, Gary, to follow him. "Don't get mad, I'm just trying to help." Gary followed him down the path, slightly nervous - when Uncle Charlie had arranged a surprise, it was usually followed with trouble. Round the corner he saw what it was and his stomach churned. Charlie had got him a car, and had stuck a small bow on the top for decoration. "This is yours, Gary. Now that all the buses are up the creek, you need to get to work somehow instead of worrying about hitching lifts off people... Are you mad with me?" Gary smiled awkwardly and shook his uncle's hand, which turned into a big hug.

  "I'm a bit shocked to be honest, but it's great! Very useful, thank you."

  In the small country village of Flocker's End, Gary Edwards was a young man that everyone knew and was on good terms. Every day people saw him and waved as he whizzed past on a rusting bicycle, fetching shopping for those who were housebound. He hated the rush and stress of the city, and was content in his own hidden part of the world. He had always said he would never drive a car, as his bicycle was perfectly sufficient, and he enjoyed talking to folk on the buses. "Besides", he would always say, "people get a bit funny when they're driving, don't they? At home they're very nice, very relaxed, but behind a wheel they turn into a raving lunatic". He had taken driving lessons at seventeen, at his Uncle's recommendation and funding. With this new gift, Uncle Charlie had the best intentions. The past year Gary started a job in a large town about twenty miles down the main road, and his local bus company had gone bust in the recent economic trouble. In Flocker's End, Gary was the boy on the bike, always would be. Now the boy on the bike owned a car.

  Uncle Charlie patted the bonnet. "It's about 25 years old, but it's only done about eight thousand odd miles. Not bad really." Gary looked up and nodded. He really knew nothing at all about cars, so that meant nothing to him. "I got it off a friend who was lumbered with it off a stranger. Works absolutely fine, don't worry about that." Gary looked around it, inside and out. The logo on the front was a facial mask, split down the middle so one side was shaded in. It was a Janus model 300, a company that vanished decades ago.

  Gary shrugged. "Well, all cars are alike to me, Uncle. I'm sure it'll come in useful."

  Charlie chuckled. "No probs. Take it out for a test drive around the village if you want, but we need to sort out insurance and all that stuff. I'll get that done this week. Will you want me in the car with you on your first go?"

  "No I'll be fine, thanks." Gary said abruptly. It was all a bit much for him to take in. "If I have any problems I'll let you know. I probably will." He smiled.

  "I'll keep you posted!" Charlie nodded. He had to head off home, so they said their goodbyes and Charlie drove away. A face peered out the upstairs window of the house next door. It was Pauline, his neighbour. She pouted her lips and shook her head slowly. By the next morning everyone in the village would know about this.

  The following day, Gary cycled up to the post office to buy the newspaper. Even as he walked into through the door, the car became a point of conversation. "I see you got yourself a motor, Gary. Very nice. But you of all people!" the newsagent smiled.

  "If needs must, Mary. I can't keep getting lifts all the time. I don't want to be cheeky." He dropped some change onto the counter. 'I haven't even driven the bloody thing yet, and everyone's treating me like someone else' he thought.

  "Well you done well there, son. I always remember what you used to say about car drivers. How a car changes someone. I know it does. I always used to get a bit hot-headed when I drove. I can't now because of my dizziness. It was fun while it lasted, but Gary, don't let it change you. We all love you just the way you are!" Gary blushed, waved and walked out, the wind chime on the door singing as he left.

  "Everyone wants to be my parent these days," he muttered under his breath.