As soon as they step out of the house, the paramedics take over. They gave all of them oxygen, and got them in the ambulance as quick as they can.

Paramedic: “People we have to move. Mrs Porter Kennard get into the ambulance we need to hurry up. Get the helicopters to be ready in Loxton, we need to air lift Mrs Porter Kennard. Call the hospital in Cape Town tell them we are on our way.

We drove the ten minutes to town, there are two helicopters waiting for us. All three ambulances stop at the same time, but only two open the doors, and move the patient to the helicopter. The one is Bette, but I’m not sure if James is the other one.

Tina: “Why don’t you take the third guy as well?”

Paramedic: ‘Mam he didn’t make it. He died on his way to Loxton.”

Tina: “No please don’t tell me James didn’t make it.”

Paramedic: “No mam he is in the other helicopter, Tim died on his way to Loxton.”

I’m relieved, happy that Bette and James is alive, but also sad that this other guy died.

About a half hour later and we are in the hospital. They take us through to the ER and they treat Bette and James there, then they take James into the OR to operate on him. It seems like he save Bette’s life. When the roof collapse he cover Bette with his own body, to protect her from getting hurt. He hurt his neck and the doctors are scared that he will be paralysed.

They treat Bette, put her on a respirator and moved her to a private room.

Doctor: “Mrs Porter Kennard, hey I’m doctor Stevens. You wife is in a light coma, we are 100% sure they she will wake up, we’ve put her on a respirator just to help her breath. She inhale a lot of smoke. But her condition is stable. Just give her time. She will be okay. I will come back in about an hours’ time.”

He left me alone with Bette, I sit next to her bed holding her hand, and praying that she will be okay.

Tina: “Bette baby please you have to wake up. I love you, and I miss you, and I’m never going to leave you alone again. But please just wake up.”

I wake up with something in my hair, I feel someone touching me. I look up and there she is smiling at me. She can’t talk with the respirator in her mouth, but I see a tear running down her cheek.

Tina: “Aww baby don’t cry. You are safe. I’m going to call the nurse. I’ll be back now.”

I walk out of the room and see our nurse is on her way, I smiled at her and ask her to come and have a look. Told her that Bette is awake.

And from there on it is chaos in her room, the doctor come in to check on her, they do a few tests on her and take out the respirator.

Doctor: “Well Mrs Porter Kennard, everything looks good. I’m going to keep you overnight but I’m sure that you will be able to go home tomorrow, please rest and please tell your wife that she can relaxed and rest as well.”

I smile at him. He knows how stressed out I was.

Tina: “Thank you doctor, don’t worry we will rest and relaxed. Can you tell us how James is doing?”

Doctor: “Yes sure James is okay, the operation was successful and he is in his room, busy recovering.”

Tina: “Thankyou doctor, thank you very much.”

They all left the room and once again we are alone.

Tina: “Baby I’m so happy that you are okay. I love you so much.”

Bette: “Love you too baby, can we just sleep now.”

Tina: “Yes of course baby, you go to sleep. I’m going to phone the mom’s and tell them that you are safe. You just lie back and close your eyes and sleep.

Bette: “Thanks tell them I love them, but please just sit here and hold my hand while you phone them.”

When I look at her, she closed her eyes and drift off to sleep. Then I phone our moms.

Tina: “Hallo mom, it is Tina, I just phone to tell you Bette is ok, she is alive.”

Then the door open and in comes a man.

Man: “Hallo Tina.”