Ben was right. Justin was in good hands. He’d get the best care. Right now, there were others who needed her help. They were her neighbours. She took a deep breath and as she did, her eyes met Carol’s. Everything about Justin’s mother showed she was desperate to get to Justin’s side. Anna saw the same look in Ben’s face. But she also saw the same acceptance that she felt.
She was a vet, not a doctor, but there would be some help she could offer. And most of all, they had transport. They could squeeze some of the injured men into their vehicle.
She nodded.
‘Is anyone having trouble breathing? Is anyone bleeding?’
She answered one call and Ben talked to the other firefighters about how to get the crew out of there. Between them, they had two RFS vehicles, each designed to carry a team. They’d get these people back to the Ridge and the command centre, then nothing, not Ben, not a bushfire, not hell itself was going to keep Anna from Justin’s side.
CHAPTER
38
It took forever to get the exhausted fire crew back to the command centre. At least, that’s how it seemed. Anna offered what help she could to those injured before they set out, all crammed into two vehicles. The journey back was uncomfortable and slower than it could have been, but finally they pulled up at the Ridge. An ambulance was waiting for them and the ambos immediately turned their attention to the injured firefighters. There was food and drink waiting for all, and for those who had been missing, family waiting to hug them and welcome their safe return.
Ben leaped up the stairs into the command centre as soon as he got out of the car and Anna stood waiting for him to return, Carol by her side. After an eternity, Ben walked slowly down the steps, shaking his head.
‘No news. The helicopter took them to John Hunter Hospital and both were alive when they arrived. Someone from the RFS is on their way there. So is the family of the other firefighter. Anna, can we take your car? My RFS vehicle is needed here.’
‘Of course. This way.’ Her heart pounding, Anna led them to where her car was parked.
‘I could drive if you like,’ Ben offered.
‘No. Thanks. I’ve got it.’ She didn’t really. Her hands were shaking slightly, but the thought of sitting there with her imagination painting no end of horrible images in her head was too much. At least driving would give her something else to think about. Ben slipped into the front passenger seat and Carol got in behind him.
It was more than a hundred kilometres to the hospital and every one of them was agony. Beside her, Ben spent his time glued to his phone, looking for updates.
‘The RFS won’t release any details about his condition to the news channels until they’ve contacted us, as his family,’ he muttered.
‘But surely they’d let you know how he is? Your boss or one of your friends?’ Carol said.
‘I’ve been texting. They say they don’t know.’
‘Ring the hospital!’ Carol almost shouted.
Ben glanced at Anna. She could see the uncertainty in his face. He knew as well as she did that the hospital wouldn’t give out details over the phone. Anna nodded slightly. Just trying might help Carol. To her surprise, Ben signalled his agreement and returned to his phone. He spent a few seconds trying to get through to the emergency department.
‘I’m Ben Turner of the RFS. My brother Justin was brought in by chopper a bit over an hour ago. I’m on my way there, but can you tell me how he is?’
Anna listened to him explaining and trying to get an answer that they both understood could not be given to a voice over the phone.
‘Is the RFS representative there?’ Ben asked.
Anna understood in an instant. The RFS knew who Ben was. They might give him news. She strained to hear the reply and was about to tell him to put it on speaker, when a sudden realisation sent a cold shiver down her spine. Ben wasn’t putting the call on speaker because he was afraid of what they might say. If the news was bad, this wasn’t the right time to pass it on to Anna and Carol.
‘I see. Thank you.’
Anna held her breath as she waited for him to speak.
‘All the hospital would say is that two firefighters were brought in by helicopter. They won’t even confirm that one is Justin. I didn’t expect they would.’
‘What did the fire service rep say?’ Carol’s voice was quiet and shaky.
‘They weren’t there.’
‘Oh, God. I can’t bear this.’
A tense silence settled around them.
