Steve was sixty six, English to the core, and two metres tall, a fact that shaped his daily life in small but constant ways. Door frames, bus seats, and compact cars all reminded him that the world was not designed with men like him in mind. On a bright Monday morning, with clear skies and light traffic, he walked into a car dealership on the edge of town, curious rather than convinced.

His old diesel van, which he had owned for eighteen years, waited outside. It was noisy with a few small rust spots, and entirely familiar. Recently, however, rising fuel costs and quiet conversations about the future had pushed him towards the idea of electric driving. He was not chasing fashion. He simply wanted something sensible that might last him another chapter of his life.

The salesman, cheerful and efficient, suggested a small compact electric car that had just arrived. It was brand new, shiny, and filled with clever features. Steve took it out for a test drive. At first the silence impressed him. Then the road began to curve. Each time he went round a bend or turned sharply, his right shoulder bumped against the door pillar. He adjusted his seat, then his posture, but nothing changed. By the end of the drive, his excitement had faded into discomfort and doubt.

He thanked the salesman politely, said he would think about it for a couple of days, and drove his van home. Over the next forty eight hours he thought carefully and without rush. The car was attractive and efficient, but it was simply too compact. The price also troubled him. Paying so much for a new car that would lose value the moment it left the forecourt felt wrong to him.

When the dealership rang two days later, Steve explained his decision honestly. He added that he had liked the idea of electric driving, but needed more space. Almost as an afterthought, he asked if they had anything electric that was bigger. The answer surprised him. They did.

That afternoon he returned to the showroom. This time the salesman showed him a larger electric car in a flecked green grey colour. It was understated, practical, and quietly appealing. Steve settled into the seat and felt immediately comfortable. On the test drive, his shoulders stayed clear of the pillar, the steering felt responsive, and the drive felt smooth and natural. It lacked some of the advanced features of the new car he had test driven two days earlier, but the features it had were really good, everything it offered was well above what he had known in his old van.

Back at the desk they discussed a part exchange. His van still had value, thanks to careful maintenance, honest wear and very low mileage. The offer was not perfect. Steve would have liked to pay a little less, but he recognised fairness when he saw it. After a thoughtful pause, he signed the paperwork.

The salesman smiled and said the car would be ready by the following Friday at eleven in the morning. To Steve, a week felt like a long wait. Still, as he drove home in his van for what might be the last few times, he felt calm and satisfied. He had chosen wisely, and the waiting now had purpose.

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Vocabulary Notes

Forecourt
Meaning: The open area in front of a business, especially a car dealership, where vehicles are displayed.
Example: “Paying so much for a new car that would lose value the moment it left the forecourt felt wrong to him.”
Usage note: In British English, “forecourt” is commonly used when talking about petrol stations and car dealers.
Similar words: display area, lot (US), showroom exterior, yard

Depreciation
Meaning: The reduction in value of an asset over time, especially something like a car.
Example: “The price also troubled him. Paying so much for a new car that would lose value the moment it left the forecourt felt wrong to him.”
Usage note: This word is often used in financial or practical discussions, particularly when making careful purchasing decisions.
Similar words: loss in value, decline, decrease, devaluation

Part exchange
Meaning: An arrangement where an old item is given as part of the payment for a new one.
Example: “Back at the desk they discussed a part exchange. His van still had value, thanks to careful maintenance, honest wear and very low mileage.”
Usage note: This term is very common in British car sales and is often written with a hyphen as “part-exchange”.
Similar words: trade in, exchange deal, trade up

Understated
Meaning: Attractive or effective in a subtle, quiet way rather than being showy or obvious.
Example: “It was understated, practical, and quietly appealing.”
Usage note: Often used positively in British English to describe design, clothing, or behaviour.
Similar words: subtle, restrained, modest, low key

Faithful
Meaning: Reliable and dependable over a long period of time.
Example: “His old diesel van, which he had owned for eighteen years, waited outside.”
Usage note: Although often used for people or animals, it is commonly used metaphorically for machines and possessions.
Similar words: reliable, dependable, trustworthy, loyal

Story written by SteveUK and ChatGPT.

Image created by ChatGPT.

CC Music: Drifting at 432 Hz – Unicorn Heads.

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