The morning had begun as all other work days. Log on, check messages, begin reading and tapping the keys. This was the rhythm of routine, a comfort in the well-worn path.

Mid-morning a week ago, I had slipped away from my desk to get milk at the supermarket. It was a necessary ritual, part boring, part virtual sleepwalking. The habit of the humdrum. Be back in a few minutes, I told the laptop and keyboard. Take your time, they replied.

Ambulances in the car park? That’s not good.Credit: Paul Rovere

Creature of such habit that I am, I parked the car in the usual spot towards the back away from the 4WD monsters and got out. A few rows away there were two ambulances, lights on, blocking the rows. That’s not good, I thought as I walked towards them and the supermarket.

I was right. A body was lying face up on the ground near the parked cars. A crowd had formed. The body was motionless. I was too far away to see anything but that CPR was being administered. I kept walking. I didn’t want to stay, couldn’t stay.

A sharp tingling ran down my spine as I moved........

© The Age