Sun cursed the creaky nozzle. Sun had known that it was not gonna be so easy. Sun had felt the sticky resistance on the lever.
A first squeeze can tell you everything.
Still, Sun thought, there was a chance to go for 20.00. So off Sun went, squeezing again. Ignoring that little crunch.
19.97, 19.98, 19.99, like years rolling off an old calendar. Sun relaxed her grip. 20.03Eur.
SSSHHHHHIIIIIIEEEETTTTTTTT!
Right, Sun, said to herself...lets got for 25.00Eur. And off she went. This time letting go at 24.95Eur. The dial landed at 24.99. Sun was vexed beyond belief.
It would need to be Thirty! Sun had only stopped here for a 10Eur top up and a Solero. She was on the wrong side of the tax border, if you know what I mean.
The side where a full tank is at least a third more expensive. Sun had only wanted a makeweight filling, enough to get to the Grand Cheapy.
So, with the dial at 30.05Eur, Sun went for 35! Then 40! Then 45! Then 50! 55, came and went and so did 60.
Why had Sun bought such a large car? It was only for her and sometimes Cloud. Whenever Cloud decided that he needed a lift.
Bloody, rubbish arseballs! Was the cry Sun gave when she missed 65.00 by one cent!
ONE!
Sun’s knuckles were white.
So it would all rest on 70.00Eur. The Lux equivalent of 45Eur. But Sun was fully invested in this now.
It was no longer a ‘fun’ little game.
Sun versus machine.
Sun relaxed her grip at 69.88Eur, shook the nozzle, gave a half squeeze.
The dial seemed to stick at 69.99 and a half. Hesitant and undecided. Like Sun herself at the bakery bar.
Would she risk it? A tiny squeeze could tip it over to 70 flat. Or over to 70.01. And Sun was not convinced she’d be able to control her temper.
Sweat beaded on Sun’s brow.
Her heart was a beating way too fast. That could have been the Red Bull, she’d downed at the viewing platform 35KM back, back when the fuel light first flashed on the daashboard.
She decided to shuggle the nozzle in and out. An act she had always found oddly sexual.
She teased the last few drops from the metal cylinder and there it was 70.00!
A truly magical number.
Then Sun had a terrible sinking feeling.
She patted her bum and thigh pockets. She felt sick.
She riffled through her handbag. Looked under seats. Tore open the glove compartment.
She’d left her purse on the kitchen counter.
Monday!
