Sofia Martin decided to finish work early that day. She had instantly regretted her latest display of impatience when leaving home that morning. It had been unavoidable really. She'd had an important client to meet first thing, and in the cutthroat world of fashion you didn't give rivals any opportunity to step in and poach potential business contacts. The meeting had gone very smoothly and her boss, Simon Bennett, was well-pleased with her negotiating skills. Shame she couldn't always maintain the same level of diplomacy at home. She wasn't naturally maternal, preferring in the past to focus on her career, but she did try to make life as comfortable as possible for Sandra and Anna to compensate in some small way for their loss. That afternoon she would stop on her way home for sweets and pick up a suitable film for them all to watch after dinner. She had never really bonded with Heather - far too wrapped-up in herself, she thought. She had, however, always had a soft spot for Andy and the girls. Sandra and Anna might seem to prefer their Uncle David's company to hers but she made an effort. Dammit! It wasn't her fault. She was constantly under pressure at work. No wonder she was snappy! Who wouldn't be?
Satisfied with her excuses, she left the plush surroundings of her fourth-floor office and headed straight for the car park. Chucking her laptop onto the passenger seat of her silver sports car she sped off towards the town centre. She felt a spring in her step as she entered the rental shop and made her selection. She was just about to jump back into her car when she halted abruptly and back-tracked to the off-licence a few doors along. A bottle of David's favourite malt would make up for her frosty departure that morning and the two of them could enjoy a cosy evening once the girls had gone to bed. Sofia bade a cheery farewell to the shop assistant and skipped daintily through the open door, kindly held in place for her by the next customer.
The road leading into her avenue seemed unusually busy. People were bustling and starting to gather on the street corner. Fingers were pointed in her direction and apparent strangers rubbed anxiously at their chins. It was only as Sofia slowed down to negotiate the sharp turn into her driveway that she noticed the police car parked on the other side of the road. What on earth was happening? Looking round she caught sight of Sandra in the comforting embrace of their neighbour, Edna Guthrie.