Sarah: Hi, this is Sarah from the Bosch call centre. How can we assist youtoday?

Caller: Hi Sarah, I’m a bit worried because my car has been making this squeaky noise lately whenever I use the brakes. I’m not much of a car person and I have no idea what’s going on.

Emma: Oh dear, car noises are the worst, aren’t they? I remember this one time my car made a sound like a goose every time I turned left. It was both embarrassing and hilarious!

Lily: Haha, that’s nothing, Emma. My car used to sound like it was beatboxing every time I hit the brakes. I mean, at least it had rhythm, right?

Sarah: [Laughs] That’s quite a musical car you had, Lily. But don’t worry, Mr Caller. It sounds like you might need a brake pad replacement. Any mechanic can help you out with it.

Caller: Really? That’s reassuring. But, uh, what is a brake pad replacement exactly?

Emma: Oh, it’s just where they replace the old worn-out brake pads with new ones. It’s like giving your car a new pair of shoes, so no more squeaky noises.

Lily: Yes, and it’s essential for your safety too. Trust me; you don’t want to ignore the brakes. It’s better to address the issue now before it turns into a drum solo every time you try to stop. 

Sarah: Exactly, and you’re in luck because any good mechanic close to Lockleys can help you with this problem. Lockleys has some of the best mechanics who will make sure your car stops smoothly and safely, without any noise.

Caller: Thank you so much for the advice and the laughter. You girls really know how to lighten up a stressful situation.

Emma: It’s our pleasure! Remember, your car is just trying to find its inner musician, but it’s better to have it play tunes safely in your driveway than on the road.

[The line disconnects]

Lily: I bet that car was just trying to start a band with Emma’s goose car and my beatboxing car!

Sarah: The world’s first car band, now that would be something to hear!

Does bad luck always come in sets of three? Please tell me it doesn’t… I’m on two strikes already today, and I really don’t have the wherewithal to deal with anything more.

First, my toaster exploded, which I hadn’t known was a thing. Did you know that that can happen? Well, it can, and I’m here to tell the tale. There’s not a huge amount to said tale, but it was a bit of a stressful start to the day. Then, my car broke down on the motorway, and now here I am waiting for roadside assistance instead of nailing that property deal down on the coast.

What’s the third thing going to be? The client thinks I’m flaky and backs out on the whole meeting? I find out that my engine has conked it? Or perhaps something completely unrelated, like tripping over a stray brick and twisting my ankle?

Whatever. Right now I need to focus on getting hold of a decent car mechanic. Mornington locals, who’s good for this type of thing? I suppose I should wait for the RACV person to point me in the right direction. I just feel like I don’t have that much time to wait around for them to get here.

While I have very limited knowledge of Mornington, car repair workshops included, I do know that my client isn’t going to be stoked about the delay, even though it’s clearly not my fault. I mean, maybe it is – I have put off having an annual car service for a couple of years now. But the client doesn’t need to know that. 

Maybe I need to put a different spin on this. Maybe I’m actually having a bout of good luck. The toaster exploding when and where it did might have been the difference between my house burning down or not, and I got away with barely singed eyebrows. Similar logic could apply to the car breakdown – the outcome could have been a lot worse.