Samantha crashes

Aside from the fact that my cousin is also called Samantha its also been the car of my beloved car. My Mini One 1.6 Litre Engine in Liquid Yellow with twin viper stripes. The day I bought her from the show room in Chiswick, West London, Katie my sales assistant asked, “have you got a name for her?”. It was a very decadent occasion. If you ever buy a New Mini One or Mini Cooper the car is wrapped in a Body suit with a huge zipper from Bumper to Boot. You get an hour Unwrapping, handing over tour of your car and then drive off to her new found home. Seeing as she was bright, fast, furious, gets what she wants and EVERYONE looks at her I decided on the spot that she should be called Samantha and it was noted in the Log book sometime in May 2003 that that was her name.

Some cars have personality. Mine more than many. I get a text at least once a week asking me, “Have you just driven down Clapham Common cos if you have I have just seen Samantha”. On arriving at friends I am told, oh how are you? Hows Samantha? People really do talk as though my car is a she and not a thing. Kids seem to be attracted to her. If I have a friend in the car and we drive along they point out that kids on buses or walking the street stop, point and wave at my bright yellow car. Why? Perhaps because she does have a personality. She beams from bumper to boot with a smile that the kids cant resist smiling at. I think she and I make a great due. Shes bright and fabulous and I am….er…. oh well, anyway!

Sadly after nearly 3 years of partnership, Samantha and I got involved in an accident on Londons busiest road, the Motorway M25. I was hit by a Lorry and although at the time seemed unhurt and unable to tell how badly Samantha was damaged, the results of the tests the garage she was towed to today came in. On the surface it looked like she only needed new rear bumpers but I have since heard that her whole underside was shattered, the seatbelts, Airbags and both Driver and passenger seats need replacing and that the bumpers need out and inside replacements. In total she will be in the shop a minimum of another four weeks.  Poor Samantha.

Thankfully, I, on the other hand have been ok. Six days after the accident the only thing I had felt was some whip lash on Thursday and Friday. However today I worked until two pm, went to lunch and then my neck started to cram up. I have never felt such pain in my life. I went to the Doctors and was told to go to A&E. The rest and pain killers have helped but I just felt so weird having such a delayed reaction to the Whiplash. I count my blessings. The police were called to the scene of the accident to ensure all paperwork was accurate and correct. They said I was lucky to be alive and that had it been an old Mini and not a new one I may well not be here to tell the tale today!

Ive been home in bed since tea time, resting my neck. Sleep for almost six hours earlier this evening so remarkably am not very tired. Still I have my family, my health and most of my body is unharmed. I think it was mainly the shock of hearing what had happened to the car this morning that sent me over the edge. They say Samantha will be fixed but even if she couldn’t be, she is but a thing. A thing with personality but one that can be replaced. Parents, family, friends, loved ones, people, can not. Thanks to everyone who helped me over the past week, David who looked after me after the crash, the Highway Agency Staff who kept me warm while in shock, the Tow Away man who plied me with hot tea and got me home safely and to Altaf my friend who took me to hospital today. Thanks guys! Drive safe people. I take that motorway nearly every day and in nearly 16 years of driving have never known anything like it. One minute its plain sailing next you are going to hit or be hit by others. Keep your distance, drive safe and remember cars may have names and personalities but they are dispensable. My friends, you are not.