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I asked the lady over the phone.

'Could you give me a quote for your life insurance rate please?'

Well, that is where it all began. One phone call to one of many available companies, but I had to choose this one.

The usual questions followed.

How old are you? Are you working ? What is your job? Have you had any of the following health problems in the last three years? She overheard me sigh.

'I'm sorry madam but we can't give you an accurate life insurance rate unless we have all of the details we need, we have to way up the liability '

So it went on, and on! Finally she announced we were about done. Thank goodness ,I have been on the phone for a good hour now

'Finally madam, are we the first company you have asked about your life insurance rate or have you contacted other companies too. ?

'No you are the only one.'

'OK that's done then , I'll get a quote to you in the next post, OK Sue Bye now'

'Bye'

It always grated on me that false familiarity,you know the use of my first name. Oh let it go. Right what time is it. Oh no, I had left myself only five minutes to drive through town to pick up Joanne from School and the rush hour has begun. Oh well ,just have to step on it. I dashed to the car tidying my hair as I went. Clasped on my seat belt and pulled out of the drive.

I was tootling along at about thirty five miles per hour knowing I was speeding but knowing I would be late for her if I didn't. I should have stopped that insurance phone call much earlier to give myself ample time. I just wanted to get it done though, out of the way.

It is getting more congested as I stand in the traffic in the middle of town. Worried I would be late for Joanne ,I began to panic. I looked at the time . I was going to be late . Although the traffic was moving again I was doing 35mph I was not going to be at her school on time.

Although the teachers were good and someone stayed behind till all the arranged pick ups had been ,I still panicked. I reached forward for my mobile and glanced to findthe schoolnumber.

Bang ! Next thing I knew there were ambulances and sirens and a police man asking me whether I was OK and to get out of the car. I asked what had happened.

Apparently I had knocked over a little boy who dashed out behind the bus in front of me. According to witnesses ,I hadn't seen him because my attention was focused on using my mobile.

'Oh my god how is he? where is he?'I was in shock.

'Im afraid we have to charge you with causing the death of a child while .........' He continued to read me the riot act but it faded as It sunk in that I had killed someone's child.

'How? but I was only doing thirty five miles an hour'

'You were speeding maa'm'

That wretched sales woman keeping me on the phone to explain their life insurance rate , what the hell did I ring her for, I could have rung around tonight or gone on the net for a life insurance rate . What have I done?