Why I'm Lucky This Happened

That split-second could have been the end for Megan Jones. Instead, it gave her a future...

- Ann Cusack & Saskia Murphy

Some people are born lucky. I never considered myself one of them. Growing up, I was the only child who didn’t win a raffle prize at school, and if there was a football flying through the air at break time, you could be sure it would hit me. as I got older, I was the person in the airport queue who would just miss out on a free upgrade. In fact, I suppose you could say I was unquestionably unlucky. But then the best thing that could have happened did.

It all began when my partner Steven asked me to pack an overnight bag for a special Valentine’s surprise. He wasn’t exactly the romantic type – something I’d learnt to accept in the four years since we’d met at the children’s play centre where we both worked.

And now, in February 2016, and after a busy week, really all I wanted was to relax on the sofa. But Steven sounded excited, I didn’t want to hurt his feelings.

As we were getting ready to leave, my cousin Lily, 27, and her partner Nick pulled up outside, each with a weekend bag in hand. It transpired the boys had planned a getaway for the four of us.

Treacherous conditions

I could tell from the look on Lily’s face that she wasn’t really keen on a road trip either. She was 12 weeks pregnant and besides the usual nausea, she was tired all the time.

Still, we all set off on the motorway together in Nick’s car.

We’d just left our home in the Wirral as severe rain warnings were issued across the country. As we headed east, it seemed to be getting worse. The temperature had dropped below freezing and Nick slowed down to prevent the car from skidding.

The conditions on the road were making me feel anxious, then I saw a sign for Scarborough and it dawned on me that’s where we were headed – and it was still another 160 miles away.