Second Event

Chapter One

‘See you later, love.’ Tom said as he slid on the remainder of his jacket and picked up the morning paper off the counter.

‘See you later’ Hannah said as she turned from the dishwasher and gave Tom a peck on the cheek. ‘Don’t forget you’re collecting the kids at three, I’ve got that report to finish so I’ll be back late’ she added.

‘Yeah I know, I’ll call you when I’ve picked them up.’ Tom put his hands on Hannah’s shoulders, his gaze angled down catching the glint in Hannah’s hazel eyes as he returned the kiss. They’d met in college some nine years ago and although maturity was slowly getting a grip on them both, their love had never faded. Everything was still fresh and exciting. Tom is a year older than Hannah at 29 and they’d had their first child when she was 19, married by 20. Joe was 8 now and his sister Sarah, 4.

‘Ok, if you think on can you pick up some bread and milk on your way home as well?’ Hannah asked as she placed her hand on Tom’s chest.

‘No problem, I’ve gotta get off now love I’m a bit late.’ He smacked Hannah’s bottom with the paper. She smiled as he turned, heading towards the hallway.

Joe leaned over the banister above his father, straight-armed and dangling his legs off the floor.

‘Are you going to work Dad?’ Joe asked expectantly.

‘Watch yourself Joey, you’ll fall.’ Joe bent his arms and thudded back down on to the carpet.

‘But, yes I’m going to work’ he said as he swiftly went up the stairs. Tom stretched out his arms, collected Joe and hoisted him into the air bringing a smile to the young boy’s face. ‘And, I’ll be picking you up later as well. Have a good day at school, mucker.’ He hugged the giggling boy and lowered him slowly back to the floor.

‘I will Dad, you too.’ Joe stepped sideways and bounced down the stairs for breakfast.

‘Tom, can you make sure Sarah is up just before you go?’ Shouted Hannah as she finished putting the couple’s breakfast plates back in the cupboard.

‘Will do’ Tom called back.

They were both used to their routine, and both enjoyed it. Mornings were generally a happy time in the Cosgrove household, before the stresses of the day slowly ate away their good moods. Evenings were by no means bad, but both much preferred mornings. Waking up together refreshed, and content.

Tom wasn’t career-minded, he was happy go lucky as long as they had enough to pay the bills and keep food on the table. His job was just a job to him, but one that needed to be kept in order to balance the boat. His salary alone wasn’t enough to keep a young family comfortable which was why Hannah returned to work after maternity leave and had worked her way into an Area Manager position. It was just enough to afford an annual break and a new car on the driveway every few years.

The sky was grey with angry black streaks as Tom stepped out of the front door. The first drops of drizzle began hitting the windscreen as he clicked the central locking button on the key fob and opened the car door. He reached over and set the paper down on the passenger seat before buckling his seat belt and firing up the 2 year old Ford hatchback. It wasn’t often he left the house before his wife, but a client needed his accounts completing before year end and it was already the beginning of March so an early start was needed.

Tom clicked on the radio and was greeted with heavy static instead of his usual breakfast show. ‘Oh yeah’ he said to himself before reaching for the CD function. It had been mentioned on every news outlet for the past few days that minor disruptions were expected this morning with some services such as radio and GPS. ‘Good job I know my way to work’ he chuckled as he pulled out of the driveway, turning right towards the motorway.