The Testing Centre

by Michael Carson

Set in County Mayo, Ireland, a group of old-car owners sit and wait at Westport's spanking-new vehicle testing centre. All fear condemnation of their ancient rust-buckets. This story springs from experience. As I waited for my old car to be condemned - the idea for old cars being a pretty decent metaphor for 'old Ireland' and its replacement by the Celtic Tiger came to me. I had to walk home from the testing centre, but the story - a bit of a protest really - grew with every pace. I took.Times have moved on. The new cars are becoming old. I hope the testing centre is greeting changing times with a bit of compassion.

11 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 23, 2011

About the author

Michael Carson is the pen name of British author Michael Wherly. He is best known for his Benson trilogy of novels, about a young man growing up Catholic and homosexual.