Leaning back on the sofa Kate began picking at her nails, something she always did when she was nervous, upset or worried about anything. It was a bad habit and she had tried to stop but it never worked. So far throughout this lockdown she had been okay but today for some reason it had become all too much and was overwhelming. Stupidly she had had the news channel on all day. Which had reports mostly on the pandemic. How hospitals were coping, the protection or lack of to some hospitals. And the stories of frontline workers who had moved out of the family home just to protect their children from the virus. it was all that dominated the news. It was all anyone talked about it was all anyone was worried about. The only highlight was a 99 year old former army captain from England who had said he was going to walk 100 miles before his 100th birthday. He had raised over 40 million dollars for the health service in the United Kingdom.

"you alright?" Mike asked carrying 2 mugs of tea over.

Carrying on picking at her thumb nail she didn't hear him or chose not to answer his question.

Placing the mugs down on the table he sat down next to her. "Kate?" he smiled

This time she did look up. "Eh? Sorry what were you saying" she said softy

"i asked if you were alright" Mike smiled

"fine" Kate shrugged forcing a smile

"then why are you shredding your nails" Mike asked taking her hands in his.

"I'm fine" she said trying to make it sound like the truth

"Kate, I have known you for almost 20 years and we have been married for 14 of those. You always shred your nails when you are worried about something." he smiled

"I..." she stammered before the tears began to stream down her cheeks.

Sliding across to her he wrapped his arms around her pulling her in to him. "shhh" he said soothingly "just let it all out" he whispered.

Resting her head against his chest she could hear the rhythmic beating of his heart and feel the slow rise and fall of his chest with each breath.

"so, what's really wrong" Mike whispered in to her hair.

"i don't know" she sniffed "i guess all those reports today. The whole worlds gone nuts and I just feel so... all these conspiracy theories on the real sorce of the virus and then there is the states whose leader says inject bleach or Dettol in to your veins to stop corona and I just feel like I cant..." she said

"Kate have you had the news channel on all day?" Mike asked frowning already knowing the answer. "oh Kate" he sighed stroking down her back. The news was enough to drive anyone to the brink and back. It was horrible at the best of times always something tragic happening somewhere in the world but of late it was just dominated by the pandemic. Infection rates and death tolls and which country was where on their lockdowns and who was coping for the best and which ones were like a fish out of water.

Compared to others Australia seemed to fair fairly well.

"you know it's bad for anyone to obsess over the news. Just have it on for a bit then put the wiggles on or something and have a dance around."

"i know" she sighed letting out a small laugh. As he planted a kiss on the top of her head. "and I guess tomorrow has crept up on me sooner than I thought." she said looking up. "i found Chris hiding in my bag" she smiled

"what" Mike laughed

"Yeah." she grinned "I was packing everything I would need for sea and had to nip downstairs for something. When I got back up my uniforms were all over the floor and I could hear him giggling in my bag. He had even tried to zip it up from the inside.

"Bless" Mike smiled. "hey remember when the Girls used your sea bag to try and send him back to the hospital" he grinned

Pulling back she looked up at him. "How could I forget. It scared the hell out of me. I only closed my eyes for a few moments."

"yeah I caught them at the top of the drive waiting for the postman sticking homemade stamps to his head" he grinned

Letting out a laugh. Although it was scary at first when she awoke not realising that she had fallen asleep and couldn't find her baby. It had actually been quite funny. The girls excuse was they didn't want a baby brother and they had written to the hospital asking if Chris could be exchanged for a baby sister as brothers were loud, noisy and smelly.

Settling back down in to his arms she smiled. "i feel a bit daft now" she said softy

"hey we all get overwhelmed at times. But just talk to me okay. Don't keep it all bottled up.

"i will" she smiled. "i think I am going to head up, I need to be on Hammersley by 9" she said standing and picking up her drink.

"I will be up in a moment" he smiled

Heading upstairs she checked in on each of the children. Walking in to Chris's room first she knelt down next to his bed. He was sleeping starfish style. Smiling she pulled the sheet back up covering him. His long lashes flickering as he slept. Planting a kiss on the top of his head she sighed softly as she walked back out on to the landing. In to Nicoles room. She had grown up so fast. Carefully Kate pulled the sheets back up kissing her brushing her dark hair off her face. She stirred slightly brushing away at whatever had touched her face.

She walked in to Graces room last. Despite it being almost midnight Grace was still wide awake.

"Gracie its way past your bedtime why are you not asleep?" Kate asked

"I can't sleep mummy." she said sadly

"well lie down, close your eyes and try" Kate smiled

"I have mummy" Grace said as Kate perched on to the end of the bed. "i don't want you to go away" she said looking up at Kate

"Gracie you know I have to. It won't be for long and I have auntie Nikki to look out for me" Kate smiled

"but what if you get hurt." she wailed "it was me who spent your money..."

so hope you like this. I had wanted to get this up last night but have had a bit of brain fog the past few days. huge thanks to everyone who has reviewed. I have no idea what the news has been like for you guys in Australia but here it is just dominated by the virus, and we have had several key workers talking about how they have left the family home to protect their children. and of course I do know captain now Captain Sir Tom Moore who is a national legend has been on some aussie news networks.

anyway let me know what you think.

huge love and keep safe xxxx