To be honest, I must have looked like a complete dickhead in that car park, standing there, looking at an empty space. But I was completely at a loss for a moment to explain what was happening. Car theft wasn't on my agenda.
Over the next few hours I had the same conversation three times. First with the University security office, then with the police, then with the insurance company. They all wanted to know the what, where and how. A bit about the car. And that was it. The police will get in contact if or when they find it. Should they. The insurance wanted to know the value of the car. I don't know. I remain supremely unaware of the monetary value of cars. In any case, they will have a little book somewhere that says D registration Vauxhall Cavalier is worth £x, so why ask me?
Family and friends have been good. Linda empathised as she had her car stolen whilst she was on an Open University Summer School at Keele University. Parents clucked at bit but I reassured them. Ross was, understandably, a little more concerned. It'll mess up plans we had for while he is visiting. Still we shall prevail.
I keep telling myself that it could be worse. If I was still living in Pemberton outside of Wigan, it would have been a complete disaster in terms of getting to and from work. Probably 90 minutes each way. Here, it's a bus from the end of the road. Takes 45 minutes door to door. Maybe 10 minutes longer than by using the car. There's shops around. I used them today to buy excellent food for the week. I'm looking forwards to guinea fowl this evening and there's a shank of ham for when Ross is here. It may mean not going to Manchester to see Falstaff but what the heck - it is only an opera. But it's still a bastard that they took my car. Even if I was thinking of getting rid of it. I wanted to trade it in - not lose it. And even if I do get more money on the insurance than I would selling it, I don't care. It's still a bastard.
Last night I slept. Got into bed at 9:30pm and slept 12 hours. Delayed shock, I suppose.
Today's been quiet. Apart from the shopping, I've been gardening and tidying. The most satisfying thing has been easing some of the windows so that I can now get fresh air into the house. February has been so cold but there's a sense of spring on the way now. Warmer air and blackbirds calling in the dead of night.
I settled down to watch Celebrity Big Brother on TV. I've well lost patience with Shipwrecked and Popstars was only interesting whilst the process was going on - now that they've got the band together I'm not that concerned about another pop band story. So it's Celeb BB with television presenter Anthea Turner, boxer Chris Eubank, daytime television queen Vanessa Feltz, Boyzone star Keith Duffy, comedian Jack Dee and Brookside actress Claire Sweeney.
Luckily Chris Eubank has been up for the chop immediately, Anthea showed her complete vulnerability by taking her nomination very personally, Jack Dee is a star and is very protective of everyone reminding people not to be too unguarded with the cameras around, Vanessa and Claire have been OK but the revelation has been Keith Duffy. So far, he's admitted to masturbating at least once a day (he'll be relieved that there are no cameras in the toilets then), groping Chris Eubank's balls for a joke after a concert in Dublin and getting erections whilst on stage as a 17 year old stripper wearing a red leather G-String. Amazing stuff. I'm riveted.