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Wazza hesitated. Perhaps they should just get out of here, forget all about another car, and keep moving. Then Kee stepped forward. “My name is Kee, and this is my daughter, Benni.” Benni poked her head around from behind her mother’s legs and Wazza was reminded of the first time he’d met the pair when Benni had done the same thing.
The man perked up at the sight of the little girl. “Well, hello there.” He took out a filthy rag from somewhere deep in his pocket and wiped his hands. “I’ve got a granddaughter about your age,” he said, with a smile that showed two missing front teeth. “Her name’s Tabitha. She comes out to visit me on weekends with her mother, sometimes.”
Really. Wazza very much doubted that. But the man’s whole demeanor had changed since he’d spotted Benni, and Wazza would take that advantage.
“It’s actually Benni and her mother who need the car,” he said, subtly getting between Kee and the old man as she and Benni came down the steps.
“Is that so?” Diesel’s face lit up. “Well, in that case, I might have something to suit you. Come this way.” The old man shuffled away around the corner toward the rear of the house. Kee shot Wazza a look, but they followed him slowly, Benni holding onto Kee’s hand.
The sight that greeted them around the back of the house made Wazza stop in his tracks. Four vehicles were lined up next to each other in a gravel clearing, all in immaculate condition, in complete contrast to the broken cars around the front.
“It’s my hobby, you see. I like to do up cars, make them run again when no one else can. Then, if the right person comes along, I sell them. But it must be the right person, mind you.”
This old bloke was half crazy, Wazza decided. But if he could help them out, Wazza was prepared to live with it.
“Which one is your favorite, little lady?” Diesel leaned down and looked at Benni.
After a moment’s hesitation, she pointed to the one on the far end, nearest the river. “The red one,” she said, then glanced up at her mother.
“Great choice,” replied Diesel. “Red is my favorite color, too. Come and have a look at it.” He beckoned them onward.
It was a Toyota Hilux ute, with a double cab, which meant there was room for Benni in the back. It looked to be in good condition; Wazza noted there was no rust evident in the body as they got closer, which was surprising for an older vehicle in a coastal environment. Maybe it’d been garaged for most of its life.
“I just finished this baby last week. I even polished her paintwork; she came up a treat.”
“It’s pretty,” said Benni. “I like it.”
Kee still hadn’t said a word, but she raised her eyebrows as Benni pulled her toward the car. Wazza wasn’t so sure it was the one they wanted. A red four-wheel-drive would stand out amongst all the other plain white ones on the road.
“Hop in the front seat, little lady,” Diesel said, taking obvious delight in Benni’s interest in the car, opening the driver’s door for her.
Wazza lifted Benni into the seat and peered inside. The upholstery was in a great state, everything shiny and clean. This guy really took pride in his work. Benni sat Dolly carefully on the passenger seat beside her and began to play with the knobs, turning on the windscreen wipers and pretending she was driving the car, bouncing on the seat with merriment. Diesel smiled his gap-toothed smile and nodded his head, enjoying Benni’s antics. Wazza felt a pang of sorrow for this sad old man. He obviously lived alone, his cars his only love. If Tabitha was really his granddaughter, then it was a shame he didn’t get more time to spend with her.
Kee tugged on Wazza’s arm, pulling him aside a little. “Can we afford this?” Kee asked in a whisper, dark eyes fixed on his.
But Diesel must have the sharpest hearing known to man because he replied, “Don’t worry, love. As long as the car is right for the person, then I’ll only ask what you can afford to pay.”
The guy sounded crazier by the minute. But it was to their advantage. Wazza had more than enough in his savings account to cover the cost. Hell, he could probably buy Kee a brand-new car, if that was what she wanted. But he also knew she wanted to be able to pay him back at some stage. She’d already said she’d pay him for everything else as soon as she got settled. And the price tag of more than a couple of thousand dollars would send her into a panic attack.
“What about this other one? The white Land Cruiser.” Wazza pointed to the vehicle on the other end of the line. It looked to be an older model, not nearly as flashy; or expensive. More like what they needed.
“That’s a good car, too.” Diesel stroked his beard thoughtfully. “Do you wanna take a look?”
“Yes please,” both Wazza and Kee said in unison.
Diesel turned to lead them down the line of cars. “Come on, Benni.” Kee held her arms out for her daughter.
“I want to stay in this one,” Benni pouted. “I like driving this one.” And she bobbed in the seat, pretending to drive the car.
“She’s fine, she can stay there for a minute,” the old man called over his shoulder.
Kee wavered, unsure.
“She’ll be fine for a few moments.” Wazza took Kee’s hand. There was no harm in letting Benni have a little fun. She was going to be stuck in a car for the next few days, at least until they got to Darwin.
“Okay. Behave yourself.” Kee threw a warning glance at her daughter. They followed Diesel’s bow-legged shuffle past the other cars to the one on the end. Wazza could still hear Benni talking to Dolly as they made their way to the Land Cruiser. Diesel already had the door open and Wazza took a look inside, then ushered Kee into the driver’s seat; it was going to be her vehicle, after all, and she needed to approve. It was much bigger than her four-wheel-drive, but he thought she’d get the hang of it pretty quickly. He leaned in as Diesel pointed out the new radio he’d installed.
They listened as Diesel droned on and on about the upgrades he had done, and how it was practically rust-free, except for a little spot in the side roof panel. As long as the price was right, Wazza thought, this was the one.
