THE Interview

Laura had been dogged by bad luck – but on this day of all days she needed a smooth run

- Christina Westwood

Not too bad,’ Laura told the bedroom mirror. She smoothed down the sleeves of her trouser suit and adjusted the good-luck necklace that Joe and Josh had bought her for Mother’s Day. After the divorce, the redundancy, and an expensive car-repair bill, surely her bad luck was over? The job interview sounded promising, but she would be late unless the boys hurried up.

‘Mum! Where are my rugby socks?’ came an indignant voice.

‘Rugby socks?’ Laura shouted back, while she considered her lipstick.

‘Extra coaching session after school!’ Josh reminded her.

That was all she needed. She had factored in time to drop Josh and Joe off at school, but not precious minutes to hunt through the clean washing. If she took the country-lane shortcut, could she claw back some time?

A frazzled woman in a beautiful dress stood at the roadside

Her sons, school bags and rugby kits finally assembled, Laura set off 10 minutes behind schedule. The lanes were empty but, at Taylor’s farm crossroads, they encountered a stationary row of cars.