Emergency: Wife Needed. Emily Forbes

up the driveway behind her.

      It came to a stop two metres from where she sat.

      Four fire officers climbed out and Phoebe knew them all but had eyes for only one.

      Max was back.

      Which, judging by the immediate pitch in her belly as she took in the broad bulk of him, was a good thing.

      Except the three other officers had swung immediately into action, and there was a major fire raging somewhere nearby. So, not so good?

      She climbed out of the ambulance and waited as Max issued directions to his men before coming to her, his strides making short work of the distance, his gait giving no indication of the heaviness of the protective clothing all the firemen wore. He wore his helmet but had his visor up and over one shoulder he’d slung an oxygen cylinder. He looked like a man in control.

      ‘Max! What’s going on?’ Over Max’s shoulder Phoebe could see his crew working in an efficient but hurried manner. Two were unrolling hoses while the third was taking more oxygen cylinders from the truck.

      Max answered her question with one of his own. ‘What are you doing here?’

      ‘There’s a little boy inside, suffering a serious asthma attack. We’re just about to take him out to the hospital.’

      ‘Not right now you’re not. You need to get back inside.’ Phoebe felt Max’s hand in the small of her back as he tried to guide her in the direction of the house.

      ‘I need to get Benji to hospital.’

      ‘Phoebe, I don’t have time to argue. You need to listen to me.’

      A trickle of sweat snaked its way down her spine. ‘What’s happening?’

      ‘This wind change has whipped the fire back on itself and it’s heading straight for us.’ Max took a few seconds before he answered. ‘The road’s been cut off. You’re not going anywhere.’