Author's Note
Please vote and review • I love getting feedback, especially constructive criticism!
Sorry for the delay in posting this next chapter but real life interferes way too much sometimes • I hope you all like it! It was fun to write •
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"What do you mean Monday?" Nicky's voice was louder than normal as she confronted the dirty mechanic. "We've got a funeral to get to in Perth."
"Well, I can see if they'll deliver tomorrow even though it will be Sunday, but it will probably cost a bit more." The mechanic answered, appearing slightly bored and rather unconcerned at the inconvenience.
"Please check." Nicky told him, sighing. "And can you put a quote together for me?"
"Sure thing. Help yourself to coffee and I'll make some calls." The greasy man with the prominently displayed ass crack told her. He walked into the cramped office shaking his head and closed the door behind him.
Nicky turned to Sebastian.
"Do you know what he's talking about?" She asked.
"No," Sebastian answered, "I don't really know anything about cars."
"Great." Nicky muttered. "I really don't want to tell Mum about this until it's all fixed. Not while she's dealing with funeral homes and lawyers. I just hope we've got enough to cover it and still get to Perth."
Sasha sighed and walked over the coffee percolator. After one look, she shuddered and backed away wrinkling her nose.
"I was going to say we should take advantage of free coffee in that case, but I don't think he's ever cleaned the jug." She told them.
"Let's just wait and see what he says." Sebastian suggested. He was weary already and it was only 10.30 in the morning.
"Yeah." Nicky said. "I just can't help but think how easy it would be to rip us off."
Sebastian agreed silently but didn't respond. Tracy had provided them with over $2,000 on a prepaid credit card for this trip, but he knew that car problems could sometimes cost a lot more than that, especially for an expensive car like a Land Cruiser.
The sweaty man emerged a short time later and handed Nicky a sheet of paper.
"Well, there's the damage to your hip pocket." He leered at her hips and she glared at him before glancing down at the sheet.
"Oh ok." Nicky told him. "How long will that part take to arrive?"
"It should be here tomorrow but no guarantees. They're going to see if there is any trucks heading out from Adelaide tomorrow and then maybe they can get it dropped off here on the way through."
"Ok, can you call me and let me know when it arrives?" Nicky asked.
"Sure thing love." He told her with a slow smile. "I've got your mobile number."
His grin was predatory and Nicky turned away quickly, meeting Sebastian's eyes briefly and nodding towards the door. Sasha scurried out first and Sebastian held the door open for Nicky, looking back at the mechanic with a hard glare. The mechanic chuckled and walked back into his office.
The siblings walked in silence for a few minutes until they reached the main street and started back toward the motel.
Sasha eyed her sister sideways. "So? How much?"
Nicky sighed. "Not too bad really. It's going to cost us $700, including the cost of the towing yesterday, so we'll still have enough money to get by. Well, that is providing we don't have any more problems like this on the way."
"Just be glad it happened here and not on the Nullabor." Sebastian told her. "We could have been stranded a lot worse than this."
Sasha glanced at him and he thought she gave a slight smile. He flushed and looked back at Nicky.
"So what do we do for the rest of the day?"
"I'm not doing anything." Sasha announced. "Except go for a swim maybe. God it's hot!"
"That sounds like a plan to me." Nicky agreed. She turned back to Sebastian. "There's not much else we
can
do really. Let's just relax and wait for his call."
They arrived back at the motel and Sasha and Nicky went to reception to arrange another night's accommodation while Sebastian headed for their room. He climbed onto the bed and closed his eyes. They popped open again immediately. With his eyes closed, the events of last night began replaying in his mind at once. He sighed and stood up to get his laptop. Maybe that would help take his mind off things for a while.
The girls walked in a few minutes later and Nicky dumped her handbag on the table.
"No problems?" Sebastian asked her.
"No, not really." She answered, opening her suitcase and rifling through it.
"What does 'not really' mean?" He quirked an eyebrow at her.
"Well, they offered us a second room because someone left this morning. We can't really afford it though, not with the repairs." Nicky gave him an apologetic look over her shoulder. "Sorry Seb."