Costa Crew 2: They Walk Among Us

Chapter 1 - A Normal Life?

4 YEARS LATER - JULY 7TH, 2038

I really should have brought a jacket, thought Becky Hidgens as she sprinted through the rain. She should have anticipated this. Sure, an hour ago the sun had been blinding and the heat had been tropical, but this was Glasgow. It just didn't stay that way.

Becky pressed the doorbell and waited anxiously, eager to go inside and dry off. "Sometimes I think you do this on purpose," she muttered impatiently to nobody in particular, tapping her foot against the steps.

But the wait didn't matter when the door to Becky's childhood home swung open to reveal Faith Hidgens standing there beaming at her. "Becky," said Faith lovingly. "Come on in out of the rain."

Becky stepped inside. "Hi mum," she said as they embraced.

Faith stepped back and raised an eyebrow. "Why do you insist on the straw hat and sunglasses even when it's dull as anything and pouring with rain?" she asked, shaking her head.

Becky shrugged. "Because it looks amazing and when I left the weather was actually nice."

Faith laughed. "Becky, you're thirty four years old, not fourteen."

"Just because I grew up does not mean I can't still look amazing," joked Becky, with a hair flip for dramatic effect. "Anyway, as promised, drinks and dessert."

She handed over a carrier bag containing two bottles of Shloer and four miniature Sticky Toffee Puddings. "Thanks," said Faith. "I'll take these through to the kitchen. Why don't you go through to the living room and say hi to your dad?"

Becky turned into the living room and beamed at her father, David Hidgens. "Hello Becky," he said, getting to his feet.

Becky smiled and hugged him. "Good to see you, dad."

David motioned for Becky to sit down. "So how's London?" He asked.

Becky grinned. "It's great. You know I mentioned I was up for a promotion back in April? Well, you're looking at Senior Forensic Analyst Rebecca Hidgens. Basically the Cyber Security equivalent of DCI."

"That's fantastic!" exclaimed David, clapping her on the back. "I told you you could do it. Your hard work paid off."

Before Becky could reply, the doorbell rang and she could hear the voice of her brother Curt in the hallway. "Earlier than expected," she said, stepping out to meet him. "You're only one minute late."

"Unlike some, I was delayed because I decided to turn back for a jacket in case it rained, this being Scotland," said Curt, indicating Becky's denim jacket and cropped trousers. "You're sure you thought this through?"

Becky shrugged. "Too late now."

Looking around the house, Becky and Curt could see that very little had changed since their moving out. The leather couch and armchair were the same that Becky had spent her teenage years watching TV on, while Curt's desk remained in the same place where he had stressed over many an exam. There were a few differences, for example they had a new television, and to Becky's delight the old desktop computer which had struggled to even process an internet search, had been replaced with a newer and faster model.

"Mind if I take this for a spin?" asked Becky, gesturing to the computer.

Faith laughed. "Go ahead."

Becky grinned as she sat down and opened up the internet. "This is amazing," she said as she surfed through the pages. "I mean, I've used faster, but no twenty minute wait every time you click on a link is pretty good going for here. Consider this to have the Becky stamp of approval."