‘Dan’s arm needs attention.’ Joe had thought as much. ‘I need you to come and help Nicki and I to assist with the equipment. Then we can get you both back to the station. I don’t want the pair of you going sick, especially as we’re already short-staffed.’
Joe’s adrenaline was racing and he was glad to have something to keep him busy while it calmed down.
As he worked with Nicki and two others, he thought of how differently the night could have turned out for the swimmer and possibly for Dan and was grateful the rescue had been a successful one. He hoped Skye’s evening was going well and was relieved the station didn’t need him to work again the following day.
33
SKYE
Skye was listening to Carlos reminisce when she heard Bruno groan.
‘What’s wrong?’ Carlos asked.
Bruno looked from his father to her and she knew instantly it was something to do with Joe.
‘What is it?’
He glanced at his father as if trying to make up his mind whether to tell her but Carlos gave a nod. He held up his phone, but it was too far away for Skye to see.
‘Is it what’s going on outside?’
Bruno gave the phone to her. Skye watched the drama unfold, feeling sick at the image of Joe going into the raging sea. She bit her lower lip to stop from making a sound. Why did he do such a dangerous job?
She handed the phone back to Bruno and stood. ‘I’m sorry, I can’t sit here while Joe’s out there risking his life.’
Bruno looked alarmed. ‘He knows what he’s doing, Skye. He’s trained for this sort of thing.’
‘I thought he was trained to fight fires, not risk drowning in the sea,’ she said, struggling not to raise her voice. ‘I need to go there. Joe’s life could be in danger.’
Bruno stood. ‘And what do you think you can do to assist in any way?’
She knew he was right but refused to change her mind.
‘I’m not sure it is the right thing to do,’ Carlos said quietly as he stared at Bruno.
Bruno rested a hand on her arm. ‘Even if we do go there we won’t be able to get too close.’ When she didn’t stop putting on her coat, he added, ‘All right, but I’ll come with you. And you must promise to do as I say and keep your distance. Getting close will only hinder the operation.’
Relieved, Skye nodded. ‘I promise I’ll do as you say.’
‘I’ll pay and meet you and Dad in the car.’
‘The car? It’s not that far away.’
‘Maybe not, but by the looks of things Dad is planning on coming with us.’ Skye noticed Carlos was also putting on his coat. ‘I don’t want him standing out in this weather when it’s not necessary.’
‘Of course.’
It only took Bruno four minutes to pay and drive them to the rescue site where a fire engine and two ambulances were parked near to a place she presumed was another restaurant or some sort of club. He parked the car and Skye went to get out.
‘No,’ Bruno shouted. ‘We wait here. There are boulders in those waves and other debris. That’s why I’m parked back here.’
Terrified and feeling sick with desperation for Joe’s safety, Skye couldn’t help but find the feed on her phone and watch from the back seat. She presumed the taller man was Joe, or at least she hoped that was him because the other one seemed hurt. Poor swimmer, she thought, with no protective clothing covering him. What could he have been thinking going into the sea in the first place?
‘They’ve got him out,’ she heard Bruno yell in excitement.
She leant forward from between the two back seats to watch as two of the firefighters helped the man wearing only trunks slowly make their way up the granite beach steps. The man was exhausted. They all were by the looks of things. Paramedics hurried forward and wrapped a foil blanket around the man and led him into the back of an ambulance, while the firefighter with the damaged arm was led to the other ambulance.
Skye watched Joe speaking to the firefighter who had been holding on to the rope attached to his uniform and, seeing her taking off her helmet, realised it was a woman. Envy washed over her as she wished she had been more use other than a spectator sitting in the comfort of a car.
