I tried to stifle a giggle.
“It’s not funny!” he mouthed. He raised the phone back to his ear and spoke into it again. “Give me five minutes and I’ll be—” The voice on the other end interrupted him again and this time the color drained from his face. “NO! No, I do not think it’s a good idea that you approach the car, AT ALL!”
My eyes widened as I watched him.
“Get back into your car; there could be people inside . . . uh . . . They could be, uh, criminals, you never know . . .” He was flapping now. Words tumbled out of his mouth frantically. He listened again. “WHAT? You’re already approaching the car?!” He looked at me in panic, and also as if he was asking me what to do.Why? Because he thought I was a criminal mastermind?
“Drive away!” I mouthed, and pointed frantically at the car keys hanging from the ignition.
Mike nodded at me and peeped over the dashboard. I did, too, and there he was—the little, inquisitive man, coming towards us with a torch. I reached out and turned the key in the ignition. The car sprung to life.
I heard the man shout down the phone, “Someone has started the car!” He yelled so loudly, I heard him both through the phone and from outside the car.
“Okay, now, listen to me,” Mike said in a calm voice. “Get back into your car. I’m on my way.” It seemed like the man agreed, because Mike’s shoulders slumped in relief. “Okay, great. I’ll be there soon,” he said, and then popped his head back over the dashboard. He looked across at me and mouthed the words, “Seat belt.”
I put it on quickly, as Mike pulled off, wheels skidding slightly.
“That’s great news,” he said into the phone. “I’m glad they’ve gone. Uh . . . you didn’t get their license plate, did you?” he asked, another hint of panic in his voice. “Oh, darn. Well, that’s too bad. Goodnight, Bruce,” he said, and finally hung up.
He looked over at me and shook his head as we drove off down the road.
