Josh casually rode his bike in circles, completely unfazed by the order I had given him. 'Relax Eves, I just wanted to ride over and make sure you were okay. I ducked out while Ben was in the shower. You know he thinks he's taking you today; he'll be here in five so you'd better take off if you want to miss him. Hey, Thimble seems happy!' 
                          
I looked down at Thimble who was swinging away happily. 'Yeah he seems okay. Listen, can you ride back and tell Ben I'll see him at work and then get to school? I'll see the two of you tonight.' 
                          
Josh rolled his eyes. 'Fine, I'll be your messenger boy. See you at lunch, Evie my love!' And with that he quickly rode away laughing.  
                          
Of course Josh would meet me at lunch; school was like a part-time job to him and one he only went to when he was bored. 
                          
I backed down the drive and put my car into gear as I sped off down the road. I needed to get onto the highway as soon as possible to avoid having Ben follow me the whole way. I turned onto the main road and sat back in my seat ready to enjoy the next 20 minutes of smooth driving.  
                          
As I drove past the local landmarks, the hospital, my old high school, the local corner shop that sold the most delicious quarter bags of candy, I smiled to myself feeling all the happy memories I'd experienced in this perfect little town over the years. The people residing in this part of the world had lived here most of their lives and, like Nancy were children of children, of children who had settled here many years before. I often wondered sometimes, especially over the past week, what life would have been like if Dad had decided to move to Philly with Gran. She pleaded with him to be closer to her and Grandad but Dad stubbornly refused. He was forever going to stay in the house that he and Mom picked out and built together.  
                          
As I pulled up at the traffic lights to turn onto the long highway leading through the industrial sites to my work I noticed the light turn green but all the cars in front remained at a complete standstill. I couldn't believe it - of course there would be some sort of accident on my first day back at work. Another truck had probably jack-knifed across the road thinking they could make the sharp turn, it was more common than not down this part of town. 
                          
I gave a heavy sigh and turned on the radio to see if I could hear what was going on. The news bulletin came on immediately and sure enough a truck had jack-knifed across the road but thankfully it had happened early in the morning so would be cleared in the next 20 minutes and nobody was hurt so at least there was an upside. The newsreader then went on to the local headlines, two more people had come down with this mystery illness; one staff members from the large grocery store and one who worked at the local station. I looked back down at the canary, checking to make sure he was still swinging away and more importantly breathing. He looked up at me and tilted his head as though waiting for me to speak so I whistled my little tune once more to reassure him. As he chirped along I heard my phone ringing. I put my car into park and reached behind, feeling through my purse for my cell. I finally grabbed it and without even looking at who was calling I picked up, answering with a bored tone. 'Hi Ben, I told Josh I was driving myself to work and I will see you there okay? PS there's an accident so you can take it a bit slower this morning.' 
                          
I waited for Ben to answer but to my surprise a woman's voice came through the phone with a thick South American accent. 'Evie? Hello.' 
                          
I took the phone away from my ear to try and read the number. It wasn't one I recognised but I quickly deduced from the strong accent it must be Rochelle. 
                          
'Rochelle?' 
                          
The voice came back through the phone slightly irritated, yep this was definitely Rochelle. 'Yes, where are you?' 
                          
'I'm in my car, trying to get to work but there's a truck in the middle of the road. I should be there in 20 minutes or so, I have the canary with me.' I tried my best to match her cool tone but failed miserably; the truth being that Rochelle scared me to death.