Standing in the middle of Woolworths, Kate looked at the shelf in front of her. Sighing softly, she pulled one of the boxes off the shelf reading the back carefully before dropping it in the back of the trolly.

Thankfully the girls were both at school so she only had Chris who was happily sat in the trolly preoccupied munching on the bunch of grapes they had just picked up.

"hey Cheeky" she grinned "we need to save some for home" she smiled as he pulled yet another grape off the bunch.

It was actually quite nice spending time with just Chris walking around the supermarket. And easier if the girls were also with them then Nicole would just trudge along her music playing and praying, she didn't run in to anyone from school. And Grace would just run around being over helpful grabbing all the things she thought they needed but didn't actually need, things like crisps, lollies and chocolate.

Smiling she picked up the bunch of grapes "no more now otherwise we will get in to trouble" she grinned pulling one off the bunch popping it under her mask. Putting the rest of them out of reach in the back of the trolly.

After picking up the rest of the bits she needed she made her way to the checkout putting everything on the belt. There wasn't much just some of the basic essentials they would defiantly need and with the rest of the country going bonkers it was best to get the things she knew would go out of stock quickly.

Heading out in to the carpark she lowered her mask taking in the fresh air. It was refreshing as it had been stuffy inside the shops. Chris let out a wail from his seat annoyed he was still confined to the trolly.

"come on then Mr Monkey" Kate smiled "why don't we go and get a Maccas for din dins" she said as she pushed the trolly over towards the car.

Strapping Chris in to his car seat she loaded the bags in to the back. She had just climbed in to the car herself when her mobile started ringing. Seeing the number flash up on the cars Bluetooth she sighed

"uh oh Monkey this isn't going to be good" she sighed looking at Chris in the mirror before pressing accept on the call. "Kate McGregor" she said

"Ms McGregor, Its Mrs Green from Trinity schools. Unfortunately, I am ringing to inform you that there have been symptoms reported in both Grace and Nicole's year bubbles..."

"right" Kate paused knowing full well what this meant

"it does mean we are sending both year groups home to isolate until a test proves Covid-19 isn't the cause of the symptoms.

"right I am out at the moment so it will take me a while to get back over." she said .

"that's fine, both classes remain isolated until they are all picked up." Mrs Green said down the line

"okay, well see you soon" Kate sighed. Back to home schooling for 2 weeks was not her ideal of fun. Especially as she had the 2 weeks off because Hammersley was in for maintenance.

Ending the call as she pulled out of the car park, she looked at Chris in the mirror "oh well Kiddo looks like it won't be just you and me for lunch" she sighed

It was only a short drive to McDonalds, pulling in to the drive-thu. Looking at the menu, it was still limited but there were still all things the children would eat. Ordering a happy meal for Chris and Grace with salad and apple juice, chicken bites fries and OJ for Nicole and a chicken burger with fries and coffee for herself. She also added some cookie bites and doughnut bites for afters.

Their order didn't take that long to get sorted and by the time she had paid and driven round to the collection window it was waiting for them. Putting it in the footwell she headed back across town towards the school. Thankfully the roads were quieter than she had expected.

Walking in to the main reception Kate held on tightly to Chirs's hand as she knew given the opportunity, he would bolt be running a riot around the school. Standing at the desk she smiled at the receptionist

"Hi, its Ms Mcgregor I got a call to pick up Grace and Nicole Flynn" she smiled behind her mask

"that's fine if you could just stand over there and I will ring across to the classrooms.

10 minutes later Grace and Nicole both walked in to the office. After signing them out they all headed back to the car.

"yay" Grace cried climbing in spying the Mcdonalds bag on the front seat

"Grace just get in the car please Kate sighed struggling with Chris's seat belt

Pulling up in front of the house Kate picked up the McDonalds bag off the front seat carrying it round to the boot.

"Nicole can you help Chris in to the house please" she called lifting the boot door up. Looking at the bags she pulled one item out stuffing it in to her handbag so it was hidden before picking up both bags of shopping carrying them in to the house, putting them on the side in the kitchen she placed the McDonalds on the table. Adding a few chips from hers and Nicoles meals to those of Grace and Chris

"i wanted fish fingers" Grace moaned seeing her wrap and salad

"Grace you know they are not doing fish fingers at the moment and also you didn't know you were getting this; it is only because you were sent home early and school rang before I had got the food. Now eat up otherwise you won't have any of the cookies" Kate said biting in to her own burger.

"fine" Grace moaned picking up her wrap.

Kate sighed looking over at her handbag. She would have to wait till later to do what she had planned to this afternoon. But these things couldn't be helped. "right now, you have finished I want you to go and get the work you have been given. Yes, Grace I know you have been given work to do over these two weeks. Go and get it please."

Looking at the clock it was only 1 pm so she still had several hours before Mike came home. Home schooling was back on the cards for 2 weeks at least. She just hoped the tests came back soon and proved negative as she was enjoying the peace of the kids being back in school.

so i dont know how schools over in OZ are doing things here but if symptoms or positive cases are reported in a bubble which is usually the year group then the whole class has to self isolate. where i live we have had 14 schools bubbles go off in the first 2 weeks of the school year. also dont know what maccas is like and can only go on what i have googled online. anyway this chapter will come in 2 parts with part 2 coming soon

also did we all steel a few grapes off the bunch whilst walking round the supermarket or is that just a British thing?

enjoy x