“Are you kidding, what’s wrong with it?” Frank asked frowning as if Bobby was trying to sell us something dodgy.
“Nothing at all, she runs great and the lady needs something strong that will protect that pretty little bone structure. She's a 1995, 5.8 v8 engine and she's a beaut, start her up if ya don't believe me.” He handed Frank the keys as though he'd known all along this was the car he would sell me or more astonishingly the one I would want. I didn't say anything as Frank took the keys and started her up while I stroked the hood like I was in front of a horse.
Frank got out and said,
“I told you we only have $3000.” What! I couldn't believe he was still haggling with the guy! He must have thought that there was something wrong with it for that price.
“Ah yes, so you did, well I will tell you what, I will let you have her for $3000 plus a kiss.” He said motioning to his cheek and my mouth dropped open. Frank looked at him as though he had lost his mind.
“What is wrong with you? Come on Keira this guy's crazy.” And he started to walk away but I smiled and said,
“So let me get this straight, not only will you drop the price from $6500 but you will knock another $500 off for a kiss on the cheek?”
“A kiss by the prettiest girl I have ever seen. Yes of course,” he said and I couldn't help but laugh at his compliment. I mean what an old charmer! But I had to admire his spirit. So I went up to him and kissed him gently on the cheek, seeing something in his eyes that brought back a memory I couldn't explain.
Frank saw this and held up his hands like Bobby wasn't the only one that had lost his mind.
“Mmm...worth every penny!” Bobby said grinning like a Cheshire cat. Frank came up behind him and said,
“Ok Casanova, let's sort out the paperwork.”
I got in the car after Frank showed me the basics and I started to follow him home. It felt strange driving again, more so because not only did it feel like a tank but I kept wanting to change gear as I had never driven an automatic before. I smiled all the way home and if I’d known the town better I would have gone for a longer drive. There was so much room in this thing, I think I could have moved in and still had room for a sink! Frank on the other hand was still expecting it to blow up or something. Well I loved it!
When we got back Libby had disappeared along with her car and Frank got worried so he rang her cell, which she didn't answer.
“Maybe she went to the pharmacy,” I said trying to be helpful and not panic. He on the other hand was imaging things that included the words “Hospital” and “Emergency.”
He tried her again on her cell and as before she didn't answer. Ok, so now I was getting a bit worried, why didn't she leave a note or pick up her phone. This wasn't like her, unless her stomach pain had turned more serious and she did in fact go to the hospital. I walked into the kitchen and was just about to tell Frank to call the ER but he was already on the phone and it wasn't to Libby.
“No, ok well thanks.” He finished and put back the handset on the wall.
“She's not at the hospital.”
“Ok, maybe something at work came up?” I said and he grabbed the phone again punching in the numbers impatiently. But before the phone could register the numbers the front door opened.
“Olivia, where have you been?” Frank said in a relieved but frustrated tone. Libby looked innocently at our frowning faces and put a plastic bag behind her, Frank didn't notice but I did.
“What, I just popped out for some Peptol Bismal. Jeez paranoid much,” she said as she walked past us and went straight to the bathroom, leaving Frank and I with the same expression.
“Well, I called your cell like a million times babe and guess what...you didn't answer!” Frank was upset, that much was clear.
“I was driving!” She shouted from inside the bathroom.
“Since when has that ever stopped you?” Frank snapped back.
“Well aren't you the one who’s always telling me to be more careful!