Yarns of a London Minicab Driver
A humorous fictionalised account based on the author, Chris Bastin’s many years as an unwitting therapist and witness to many colourful passengers.
“One thing that never ceases to astonish me, especially in this hypersensitive age of confidentiality and data protection in the workplace, is the things that people openly discuss in my presence the moment they get into the car…” – Taken from Busy This Evening?
Inspired by the author’s own work and personal experiences, Busy This Evening? presents a humorous and often tongue-in-cheek insight into the life of a London minicab driver, through the eyes of the sincere and endearing Thomas Buckley.
This dip-in style fictional book covers many aspects of the job, such as minicab etiquette and notable passenger encounters, but also shares Buck’s innermost thoughts and his amusing insights into situations, people and relationships as he goes about his daily business, and is complete with a smattering of his favourite jokes along the way.
Readers will find it easy to relate to a great deal of the subject matter in Busy This Evening? It is an amusing, uplifting and original read that will make them not only see minicab drivers in a whole new light – but life itself.
My Review
Busy This Evening is a short book which you can dip in and out of, or read in one or two sittings, as I did. It’s very funny. There are lots of ‘yarns’ which are often insightful, if occasionally a bit un-PC. The driver picks up anyone and everyone, including celebrities and a fair few ‘posh’ people – the latter being amongst my favourites.
He also tells us about his marriage to the lovely Helen, how they met, and how he caused her to miss an audition for a West End musical. She still married him!
One thing I must disagree with though is that giving human names like Martin or Claudia to pets shouldn’t be allowed, as per the ‘competition’ with a passenger called Isobella. We had a friend who called his Golden Retriever Elizabeth, and another whose cat was called Colin. I love this, though our new puppy is actually called Patch. It would have been Coco or Lulu, but neither suited her – if you saw her you’d understand.
But my absolute favourite story is the two business executives talking in ludicrous business jargon. It tickled me because I used to work for someone like that. Examples include ‘…get all your ducks in a row’, ‘idea shower’, ‘…you can do the heavy lifting’, ‘over-the-shoulder-time’ (what does that even mean?), ‘paddle on both sides’, ‘triangulate’ etc.
Many thanks to the author for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
About the Author
Chris Bastin has held a range of positions in construction, social care and theatre, and now works as a London minicab driver. He has a degree in Psychology, lives in Essex and is married with four children. Chris has a keen interest in comedy and has performed in several amateur comedy events over the years. Making people laugh is one of his greatest joys, and he sincerely hopes to achieve this with his first book, Busy This Evening?
Chris says, “A number of my passengers over the years have encouraged me to pen my experiences as a London minicab driver. So I finally took up the challenge, and look forward to surprising them with a copy on our next trip together.”
