Connie held Grace's hand as they quickly made their way across the car park in search of her car, the rain falling heavily around them.
Something caught Connie's attention as they neared the far end of the car park where she had parked - it was Jacob, with the bonnet of his car open and a frustrated look on his face.
"Mum? Yes or no?" Grace asked impatiently as she tugged on Connie's hand and pulled for her to quicken her pace again.
Connie quickly turned her attention back to Grace while reaching into her bag for the keys. "Sorry, what was that sweetie?"
Grace rolled her eyes and repeated her question. "Do I have to come to work with you again tomorrow?"
Connie clicked the button on her keys to unlock the car and let go of Grace's hand so they could each get into the car. "Er, no you don't." Connie answered as she opened the door.
Connie sat down and wiped the rain from her face, before clicking in her seatbelt and pushing the keys in the ignition.
She looked through the front windscreen in the direction of Jacob's car where he had closed the bonnet and was now making his way back in the direction of the hospital.
It was evident that Jacob was having trouble starting his car today and Connie sighed as she watched him stop just before the hospital and pull out his phone.
"Jacob's car is broken I think." Connie muttered casually.
"Why don't you give him a lift home?" Grace asked.
Connie turned around and frowned at her daughter.
"Well it's not going to be nice for him if he has to walk in the rain, so why not take him home." Grace continued.
Connie raised her eyebrows. "But I thought-"
"Mum, you know why I made you choose between me and Jacob. It's not because I hate him...so it's fine for you to give him a lift." Grace interrupted.
Connie nodded and turned back to the wheel. "Okay." She replied before pulling out of the space and following the car park around towards the front of the hospital.
Connie slowed as she neared the front entrance and stopped when she reached Jacob who was waiting just by the kerb, phone in hand.
She wound the window down and gave him an awkward smile.
"I er, see you've got a problem with you car."
Jacob looked over to where his car was parked and nodded. "It decided today was a good day to give up on me." He gave a light chuckle.
"Do you need a lift home?" Connie asked hesitantly.
Jacob glanced at Grace sat in the back of the car and shook his head. It probably wasn't the best idea to accept that offer.
"No it's alright, I can get a taxi." Jacob smiled.
"It's no problem..." Connie gave him a reassuring look and gave a subtle gesture behind her towards Grace, having realised she was the reason he was hesitant to accept.
"No really, I'm fine. I'm just calling a taxi now." Jacob said as he returned to his phone and began to tap in some numbers.
Connie watched as the rain poured down over him, raindrops continuing to roll down his face.
"Jacob, just get in the car." Connie sighed.
Jacob began to shake his head but Connie raised her eyebrows until he eventually did as he was told and slowly made his way around to the passenger side of the car and climbed in.
The awkward tension between the three of them was evident as they began their journey home.
Jacob turned his phone around in his hands and glanced at Connie beside him. "Weather is rubbish today isn't it?" he said quietly, in attempt to break the silence.
"Yeah" Connie nodded.
Jacob let out a light chuckle as he looked around and relaxed a little, while Connie smiled, both amused at their feeble attempt at small talk.
"First left" Jacob said as they approached a roundabout.
"I know" Connie glanced at him and smiled.
"I know...not sure why I said that." Jacob returned the smile, immediately wondering why he said it, of course Connie knew where he lived, she had been many times before.
Both turned their attention forward again, neither able to prevent the smiles from remaining on their faces.
Connie's foot pressed down harshly on the brake as she saw a car fast approaching them from the side. Everything was a blur as she desperately turned the steering wheel in attempt to move out of the way, she heard Jacob cry out her name, before the everything faded to black...
