There was that moment of passive disbelief as I just sat there. My car is three years old, the only new-ish vehicle I have ever possessed. Surely the life of a gear box is more than a few years. I was uncertain if I had even kept up with my Recovery membership and whilst they kept me waiting on hold I walked around the car. It's really weird walking on a surface that will, in a few hours time, be right in the heart of rush hour. It's one of the few places where there are no chewing gum marks. I even wandered over to the large pothole that I've banged on about every morning, right slap bang in the middle. The one that the buses and black cabs cannily avoid but which the rest of us drive straight into. May I tell you it's much deeper than you think but there didn't appear to be any human or wildlife trapped down there. | "It's really weird walking on a surface that will, in a few hours time, be right in the heart of rush hour. " | | JoAnne Good |
It was obvious I was going to be late for work. However, and this is the truth, I have no idea what the newsroom number is. I only know the Phone-in on air number. After all, we all repeat it parrot fashion throughout the day. So I phoned it and immediately found myself on air! As any presenter will tell you the moment you broadcast on the airwaves, whatever mood you may be in, you go up a notch!. So I suddenly heard Ruth the overnight presenter asking "Who is this on line one?" and I respond with an inane, sunshine-filled voice "Its me, Jo Good and I've broken down at Marble Arch". I then go into what we in the trade call a colour piece and described my surroundings "here in the heart of the metropolis" at 4.30 in the morning. Ruth wished me luck and hung up. It was then the diplomatic police squad car turned up. A red one. My producer chose to call at that moment. So anyone driving passed must have seen the irony of me being pushed around one of the heaviest traffic spots in the city by two police men whilst on my mobile phone. And if you boys in blue read this then may I thank you. I would love to say that being without my car for a few days has been liberating. But I can't. It's been a total nightmare but for the sake of keeping local issues balanced I will just cover my mouth with my Oyster card and keep mum. April, 2006 |
