26
Warm arms around me, his soothing voice. My whole body was rigid but I was gasping. ‘Breathe, Judi. Long, slow breaths. Concentrate on your breathing. Come on, breathe in for four, out for four. Count with me.’
I vaguely heard someone say, ‘Do you want some water?’
‘Yes, thanks.’ Then Heath was counting again, and I followed his voice, doing what he said. My heart slowed, and the dizziness receded. When the water came, I drank it in sips, and finally my body returned to me.
I turned to him. ‘Don’t tell me to go to the doctor.’
He laughed. ‘Now I know you’re OK again.’
‘I’m fine. I just…’ I took more breaths, then told him about the pub burning, seeing the petrol and the flames, climbing out on the balcony with Andre, and finding my Benz burned as well. ‘It’s all been a bit much.’
