The loud shrill of the alarm clock jolted Kirsty back to consciousness. She rolled over to turn it off and sighed deeply. Work time again.
Reaching the bathroom Kirsty grabbed the sink to keep herself steady, "Woah" she thought, the room spinning around her. She took some pain killers and dressed quickly, the sooner she got out the house the better.
"Nita?" she said as she entered the kitchen. "You're up early."
"Couldn't sleep" her daughter replied, turning to face her mother.
"Everything alright sweetie?" Kirsty asked, walking over to where her daughter sat, crouching down to look her in the eyes. There was something up with Nita, something she wasn't telling. "Nita?"
Kirsty could tell that Nita was trying to find the words.
"Mum... I...". The sound of Warren coming down the stairs suddenly made Nita jump up, "I'll just go and get my bag then I'm ready for school". Kirsty's eyes widened, confused by her daughters behaviour. Not wanting to face Warren again this morning she grabbed her flask of coffee kissed him on the cheek and hastily left the room. Nita was already waiting by the car.
Pulling up outside the school, Kirsty reached out to touch Nita's arm. Her daughter turned her head and looked deep into her mothers eyes. "Mum, I am worried about dad. I saw him in your room yesterday, he was going through your things. He looked really upset. What's going on mum?". The silence that followed Nita's question was a painful one. Kirsty hated lying to her daughter. "Nothing darling. Everything is fine. Your dad, her just gets a bit upset sometimes when he can't do things that he used to do." As she leaned over to give Nita a hug, Kirsty felt a sudden pain in her head. "Mum? You okay?". "Nita I'm fine" Kirsty responded, a bit sharper than she meant to. Nita looked hurt by her mums defensiveness, grabbed her bag and slammed the car door. "Great" thought Kirsty, "it's not her fault."
"Kirsty...Kirsty...KIRSTY". Zoe's voice grew loud as she finally got a response. Kirsty now facing Zoe looked rough to say the least, but still she was late, again. "My office. Now."
"Tess is on the warpath. Jay covered for you earlier, something about you chasing test results for him. I'm in charge while Nick is away, and I'm not having anyone on the team letting us down. Late again Kirsty, come on. You know they are looking to make job cuts.".
"Sorry Zoe, it won't happen again." Kirsty's head was pounding. She could feel blood trickling down her neck, she knew it needed stitches.
"Heard that one before." Zoe's voice tailed off. After a few moments of silence Zoe continued, "if you've got nothing else to say then I suggest you start working on your excuses for Tess". Zoe stood up and opened the door to her office, gesturing for Kirsty to leave.
Standing up Kirsty suddenly felt as though someone had kicked her legs out from underneath her. Her head was pounding so hard she couldn't see straight. She lightly touched the back of her head, the source of the pain. The room was spinning and the sight of blood on her hand was the last thing she saw before her head hit the floor.
"Kirsty, Kirsty can you hear me? It's Zoe. Kirsty?".