This week, the cat’s away and a hard lesson is learned

‘In the corner of the workshop, Olli Ragbin sits watching events unfold before him’

There comes a time in the working year where you need to take a break to rest, recover and recuperate.

Last week, that time was Eric’s and he abandoned (yes, abandoned) us all to fend for ourselves.

How outrageously selfish!

I was furious. And do you know where he went? Some sort of Caribbean isolation, sipping juice from a freshly plucked coconut no doubt. Shocking.

After we’d all calmed down and resigned ourselves to the fact that the CCM father-figure had left his chickens to fend for themselves, we got on with the business of classic-wraglin’ and car fixin’.

Holding and dispensing the workshop rags is my primary task (carried out with aplomb as per usual) however this week again, I have had to put my customer hat on.

A prang in one of the family vehicles (circumstances will be replayed when I’m over it emotionally) meant that one evening in the week I picked up the red emergency bat phone and pulled the rip-cord on the ever-ready Shrimp eye Justin and the CCM recovery shuttle.

During a biblical rain shower, the jalopy in question was ramped up and whisked off to intensive car.

A couple of days later I used the normal hotline to brave a call to the troops. An email had pinged through from Siobhan with an exceptionally detailed estimate breaking down each and every component to be replaced along with a view on the effort required to replace it.

How can a price be exactly good and exactly bad at the same time?

It was a significant chunk. I also knew that it was, as usual, real value. For a 2-day job, any other reputable mechanic would want more and would not have gone to the trouble Siobhan did in sourcing the keenest parts prices. And I know that the techs will do a stand-out job.

(It should be noted that the team's approach isn’t only for me. This standard of care and attention goes to all!)

Painful though the price is, no hesitation necessary.

‘let’s do this’ I said to Siobhan whilst trying not to cry.

Parts-sourcing aside, Siobhan has also been on camera duty and we’ve a couple of snaps of some of this week’s patients.

A tasty trio indeed. A TR4, GT6 and a Jensen-Healey.

mmmmmm. Just one of the many things I need to cough up for shortly. I don’t know what this is a picture of, all I do know is that it’s broken and it shouldn’t be.

To rub salt in the wound opened by his abandonment of team CCM, Eric started peppering the WhatsApp group with pictures from his Caribbean getaway.

‘The Caribbean’s changed somewhat’ I thought to myself.

Siobhan gave me a funny look. Apparently Hayling Island isn’t where I thought it was.

Anyway, it seems Eric has been having a lovely time dragging Ingrid around and getting her to take action photos.

On his arrival back, Eric asked how everyone had been.

‘All covered’ said Siobhan…and it had been. Things have gone smoothly. Sign of a good team that.

Shrimp eye Justin seemed to be standing up straighter than usual at the team call. Almost as if standing to attention.

‘How about you Justin, all ok?’ Eric asked quizzically.

Siobhan shot Justin her best Paddington stare.

‘I just do as I’m told’ he squeaked in a high-pitched voice. With that he clicked his heels, grabbed his work iPad and quick-stepped back to ramp 2.

Whilst the guv'nor was away, the CCM machine remained well-oiled and firing on all cylinders.

I looked back on my own week. I love being involved with the Classic Car Mechanic gang. Whilst I’ll shortly be shelling out for my own teenage son’s prang, no-one was hurt and a lesson has been learnt. If the price is the only cost, then that’s probably a win.

Summer is here and the Barbie awaits. Safe motoring everyone.

From the CMM team, Eric, Siobhan, Dr Ray, Shrimp-eye Justin, Young Chris, Izzi and Ingrid have a great week

Olli