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‘That’s my – my art studio.’ Holly held back a sob. Losing all her artwork was like losing her gift. And the dream of the arts hub – gone.Hold it together. I’m alive, still alive,she told herself.
‘Were there any lit candles? A deep fat fryer? Tumble dryer left on?’
Holly shook her head.
‘Any other electrical equipment which could have gone up?’ Erin bit the end of her pen.
‘The light bulb blew today – it’s happened three times this week. I guess it’s an electrical fault,’ she said, wishing she had calledthe electrician out. In her imagination, Holly watched her art work floating up amongst the smoke, individual pieces passing her eyes as if on a gameshow conveyor belt.It’s all my fault,she thought. There had been thirty-three paintings. Each one consisting of hours of thought, hours of planning and hours of painting; some took more than a year to perfect.Gone. Gone forever,she thought as she took a sharp breath and winced. ‘There’s a heater, but it definitely wasn’t on today.’ Holly rubbed her chest.
‘Have you been drinking?’
‘A little – I had a bad day.’
Erin scribbled in her notebook. ‘You’re lucky.’
‘Do you have to question her now?’ The paramedic took Holly’s hand again and urged her to put the oxygen mask back over her face. ‘She’s in shock and needs to rest.’
To Holly, the oxygen seemed cool, like taking a refreshing long drink. Shutting her eyes, she prayed that when she opened them it would all have been a bad dream. But as she raised her head and stared front, the smoke continued to billow out of her cottage.
Erin cocked her head to one side. ‘The Fire Service will assess the position but the most important thing is that you’re safe. Thankfully, your neighbour raised the alarm.’
‘Neighbour?’
‘Yes. There he is,’ she said pointing to a figure approaching. ‘Mr Booth from the farm.’
Holly saw Erin smile as Mitch walked towards the ambulance against the backdrop of flames, thinking it looked like something out of an action movie.
As Mitch reached them, he opened his mouth, closed it, then opened it again. ‘Your front door was locked and I couldn’t ram it open. I could see the light on upstairs and guessed you were in bed.’
Holly held his gaze but could not manage a smile.
‘I told Holly how lucky she is, that you were there.’ Erin glanced down at Holly. ‘What with the alcohol she’s been drinking.’
Holly frowned and removed her mask, ‘I only had –’
‘I’ve just been to check on your animals.’ Mitch pointed in the direction of the petting zoo.
Holly put a hand to her mouth and struggled to stand up. ‘I must see them.’
The paramedic scooted forward and Holly felt his hand on her shoulder. ‘Stay calm, Holly. Breathe slowly. Please sit down and put the mask back on.’ Holly sat down with a thud, her legs wobbling. The paramedic glanced from Erin to Mitch. ‘Can we calm things down here? She’s taken in quite a bit of smoke. You can see her shivering, she’s suffering from shock.’
Holly’s teeth chattered as she pulled the foil blanket tightly around her.
Mitch nodded at the paramedic. ‘Sorry, I understand.’ He turned to Holly. ‘The animals are fine; the fire hasn’t reached them and the air seems clear. The wind's blowing in the opposite direction. But they’re restless. The goat’s bleating.’ Mitch gestured towards the nursery carpark entrance. ‘There’s a crowd forming. I’ll tell them to go home.’
‘Good idea,’ the paramedic said.
Mitch walked off in the direction of the gate.
Erin clicked her radio. ‘I’ll call out the RSPCA, Holly, to check on the animals and put your mind at rest.’
Holly coughed and replaced theoxygen mask. She did not want to continue crying in public and was glad Mitch had walked away.
Once Erin had finished her call, she smiled at Holly. ‘I’ll leave you now but I’ll be in touch if necessary when we’ve received the fire report.’
Noticing the way Erin gazed in Mitch’s direction as he returned, Jaz’s words came back to Holly ‘He’s every woman’s type.’
‘Goodbye then, Holly. And Mr Booth.’ Erin smiled as Mitch returned and then walked away.
