FL decided to go for his hospital check-up on his own.
10am He managed to park legally (we got a parking ticket last week) and successfully negotiated the 3-hour clinic appointment, coming out with a prescription for quinine - the anti-cramp drug also found in tonic water. Oh - the Doctor had no idea why he was there and said he would see him a month... "God A-Michty!" was the expression used.
1pm But when FL returned to his car, he realised he had left the ignition switched on and the battery was flat. At least this meant the key was in the car and he was able to get in the door (he has been locked out a few times recently). He rang me to ask if I knew anyone with jump leads. I scouted round the car-owners in my office but nobody could help. I tried to ring him back and got his voicemail. But then HE rang ME to ask for details of our breakdown service: he would ring them.
3pm After a while, I tried to ring him again. Voicemail. And it slowly dawned on me that if all his calls were being diverted, the breakdown people would not be able to contact him either.
So I got into my car and started driving to the hospital. Halfway there, he rang me again. I had to pull into the side of the road to answer. He told me he had run out of credit in the middle of his call to the breakdown people, with all of their ridiculous questions, and had tried to top up... only to find that his balance was still coming up as zero. His phone provider said it might take 24 hours for the credit to show up! However, he managed to talk to an actual human at the phone company and they had somehow forced the credit through the system. He told me to drive back to work - he was near to tears and he didn't want to see me. Oh my.
3.30pm He then texted me and asked me to look up the phone number of a friend, D, who lived about 20 minutes away and would have jump leads. Back in the office, there were two people with that name in the phone book. I tried ringing both and got no reply. I tried ringing FL and got Voicemail again!
4pm He rang me and said he had found D's mobile number and he was on his way with jump leads. I told FL his phone was diverted. He was mystified. He has obviously done something to his phone that he didn't know how to do.
I told him to go home and have a sleep. His reply? "I CAN'T DO THAT! MY CAR WON'T START!"
Several lessons the unfortunate FL may not have learned from this:
1 - Always take car key out of ignition when you get out. Locking the door is optional.
2 - Always carry jump leads
3 - Always carry details of breakdown company, policy number, wife's mother's maiden name
4 - Keep credit topped up on mobile phone, with a 24-hour leeway
5 - Always carry instruction booklet for mobile phone
6 - Always carry a full set of local telephone directories with friends' numbers highlighted
7 - Always carry a dog lead OR leave the dog at home OR carry Dettox spray and a doggy-do bag
8 - Better still, allow your wife to drive you to hospital appointments: she won't mind if you close your eyes while she is driving - in fact she might prefer it.
Much much later: We have a bottle of wine. Tonic water just wasn't good enough.
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12 comments:
Oh poor FL, he has my sympathy..as do you worrying about him.
Tonic water is a good help with cramps but you need to check it has the quinine, some of brands don't use the real stuff but "flavouring" which doesn't have the same effect.
Love instruction no 7, I've been stranded with large crazy dog and small uncooperative dog and no leads before now so bought emergency ones just to keep in the car, walking home with one large dog held by the collar and the uncooperative one in my arms (I can't walk and hold his collar...my arms aren't that long)convinced me it was worth it!
Poor FL - its not been a good day for him, and you must have been so worried.
Great Story... Made me smile!!!
Poor both of you! Well done on surviving. The stresses of just getting to the hospital and parking are enough to make anyone ill who isn't already. Big hugs x
Oh what a DAY! Some days it is just better to stay inside and let the wierd energy get to other people.
I am so sorry you both had to go through that and I know how worrisome it is that once having a cell that something goes on to make it un-usable.
This had to be hard on FL and having the doctor wondering as to why he was there had to be further dis-heartening. Really don't they look at their files before they walk in with a "Cheerio" greeting?
Oh dear, days like that are just the worst - put it behind you - I'm sure you will laugh about it in time (?) and it will make a great story for dinner parties.
lordy, I'm knackered just reading about it. What a hellacious day.
On what an awful day and I don't even want to imagine about number 7! Hope FL and you were better for the wine.
I might suggest to B he could close his eyes when I have - even if he's still in the house! :D
We carry a portable jump battery in our car. It has the leads attached and has come in handy many times. Ironically, Tim bought it 2 nights before we left to drive to Disney World. Liv, being only 5, played in my van the night we packed it and, unbeknownst to us, turned on all the little interior lights around the car. We got up the next day, packed the last few things, got in the car for a 2 day, 1100 mile trek and CLICK, dead battery. We got to use the new device right away. Mostly we use it to bail out VERY grateful folks in parking lots including a woman at school pick-up last year in the pouring rain. She was calling her hubby on her cell phone to come rescue her and I asked if she wanted me to get her going. I got the doo-hickey from my car, said, "pop the hood", hooked it up and told her to start it up. Her SUV roared to life and for a brief moment, her 11 year old son sitting in the truck thought I was very cool....for a mom. It's a great thing to have for peace of mind. That and an extra key hidden under the car in a magnetic case.
Directions, and help with a broken down car...it seems whatever the circumstances, men will never ask for help with either of those things!
So many supportive people - thank you!
I have never heard of a "portable jump battery", but I suspect it is one step too organised for FL. His car is already full to the gunnels with golf equipment and big daft dog. But simple jump leads should be possible!
Ahh poor FL and you also for having that extra worry. Still I am surprised how well he does. I don't think Hamada would ever have found the hospital let alone been able to drive himself there! It's amazing really how determind and strong-minded FL must be. I think I become H's comfort blanket as the years went by, not that I ever minded. I wish you both well x
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