Making a splash as my husband drove off was just the start of an unlucky episode

Kerry and Ralph

Kerry McLean

There are times in life when I feel like I must have walked under a ladder without noticing. Not just walked under one, but possibly knocked it and the person using it flying on to the ground and into the path of a particularly irritated black cat, given the sheer amount of bad luck I encounter. This week was a prime example.

Monday started off well. The kids got up without a grumble - a rare occurrence on the first school day after the weekend. Even more unusually, they left the house complete with all the required books, folders, musical instruments and lunches needed.