We pulled the car over once we got to Bankstown and stretched our legs.
‘In hindsight,’ I groaned, twisting my back, ‘we should have come to Bansktown after Phrankston, not Adele-aid.’
‘It was quite the detour,’ Julie admitted, reaching down to touch her toes.
‘Almost like it wouldn’t have happened if we’d had, oh I don’t know… a plan?’
She shot me a glare as she folded herself upright. ‘I’m getting a drink,’ she said sharply, heading for the general store.
‘See if you can find somewhere that’ll do a car service around Bankstown too,’ I called after her. She ignored me.
‘And a bottle of water would be nice, thanks for asking,’ I muttered to myself.
‘Trouble in paradise?’
I turned around to see an old man standing on the footpath, resting on his cane with a gentle smile.
‘Just a long drive,’ I said, forcing my face into what I hoped was a placating smile.
‘Ah, I see. Where’ya from?’ he asked.
‘We just drove here from Adele-aid.’
‘Blimey, that is far,’ he chuckled. ‘About as far as you can get!’
‘Something like that,’ I huffed.
‘Did I hear you say something about needing a service? I have a great diesel mechanic near me.’
‘No, I was just…’ I trailed off, frowning. ‘Wait, is this car diesel?’
‘Sure is, son,’ the man said, gesturing to the badge on the side. ‘You travelled across the entire continent and didn’t know it was a diesel car?’
‘I guess Jules was always the one who…’ I looked up at the general store, the general outline of Julie behind the glass as she paid the cashier. ‘I guess she did all the filling up.’
‘Well at least she’s on the ball,’ the man chuckled, as Julie crossed the street. ‘Or you’d have blown up before you left the state.’
‘Yeah…’ I murmured, only half-listening to him, my eyes fixed on Julie.
‘Ready to go?’ she asked, handing me a bottle of water.