Grey Skies

Hollow

Chapter 19

Helen

There is no rain on Tuesday, but there is unfortunately fog. But I'm glad today, because I don't have to go to work and face Michael. Ben wakes up just after me, getting up quickly. I look at my clock; 7:39. He has to be at work at 8:15.

"I'm going to be late and keep my patient waiting. How come my alarm clock didn't go off?" He asks, changing into his work clothes.

"It did, darling. I just didn't wake you up." I say, relaxing in bed while he rushes around the room, grabbing various things for work.

"That's fine, just in the future, wake me up so I'm not in a complete rush." He replies, kissing me then leaving the room.

"See you later! I'll phone with plan changes." I call after him as he rushes downstairs, and then out the door, skipping breakfast. The door closed rather loudly, and I give myself 5 minutes until the girls are in bed with me.

Grace comes in first, yawning loudly before saying,

"Mummy? Are you awake?"

"Yes Grace. Here, climb in." I pat the bed next to me, and she immediately jumps in.

"What are we doing today?" She asks, fully awake.

"I was thinking we might walk to the park, and play for a while, and then we can go to lunch and play it by ear. Is that okay, love?"

"Yes! This is the best summer ever."

"I'm glad you think so." She nods vigorously.

"Where's Cat?" She asks.

"Sleeping, I think."

"Can we have brownies for breakfast?"

"Sure. Whatever you want, Grace."

"Let's get up," orders Grace, who gets up and runs down the hall, screaming in Catherine's room to get up.

I get up, knowing the same fate will await me if I'm not ready when she is. I put on a pair of jeans, boots, a grey shirt, and red scarf. Just as I'm done getting dressed, Grace bounds in to the room, Catherine on her heels.

"Let's go!" She says, pulling on my hand.

"Don't you want breakfast?"I ask.

"Of course, mummy. Which is why we will be going downstairs now." Catherine replies.

"Give me one minute. I need to finish putting my makeup on."

"But, mum." Grace whines.

"There, done. That wasn't too bad, was it?"

"No." They say in unison, and promptly run down the stairs. I grab my phone and purse, and then follow them down. When I get downstairs, they've already gotten a brownie and are eating rather quickly. I sit down at the table, and put my purse next to me on the floor. "What a healthy breakfast. Do you want some toast or something, because I'm guessing that will not fill you up?" "

"Toast please, mummy," Catherine says through a mouthful of crumbs, while Grace just shakes her head. I fix myself and Catherine some toast, and get an apple to eat. I don't know why, but I've always made toast on the stove, on a pan. The toast finishes, we eat, and start to walk to the park. It's not raining, thank goodness, and the air is warmer than I expected. The girls are running ahead of me, but when we are about to turn the corner to get to the park, my phone rings.

"Hold on a minute. GRACE, CATHERINE WAIT FOR ME!" They stop dead in their tracks.

I pull my phone out, and, oh God, it's Michael.