The factory closures...

It was months since Mark had seen this view. Now the only lights were for security, no more night shifts.

Some of his friends used to work there, including the partners of several teachers at his school. At one time, he had commented ruefully, that the reason so many of his colleagues had decent looking cars was that they came from a second salary, but now, at this moment, he was just grateful he had any job. He didn’t know how much longer he could put up with this one, even though he loved teaching, but at least he could feed his family and pay the mortgage. However, there wasn’t much over at the end of the month.

He wondered how many other people were awake in the town, but unable to sleep, worrying about their bills.

The storm arrives...

As they slept, the storm grew in power and the gusts of wind became individually stronger. A climbing rose broke free from its trellis and swayed backwards and forwards scattering white petals like the trail of a comet, its thorns scratching against the window pane.