“It is, but the guys who have been fighting it have been there for days. They need some relief crews and we’ve been called.”

Paula remembered the weary faces after Ted’s fire and that had only lasted a short time.

“I won’t go if you’re not feeling well, though. Sit down.”

She shrugged off his arm. “I’m feeling fine, Dan. You gave me a fright and I’m exhausted from the heat.”

“Did you go to Rowena’s?”

“No,” Paula snapped. She was tired and her back ached and she was fed up with the heat.

“You’d feel a lot better there.”

“I’ll manage. It’s got to cool down eventually.”

“The forecast is for a change in a day or so but I don’t know how strong it will be.”

Dan’s mobile rang again.

“Yes, Bruce.”

Paula pulled food out of the shopping bags and tossed it on the bench. She didn’t begrudge Dan’s helping with the fire. If it was their district she’d want people to help, but she couldn’t stop her plummeting mood.

He put away his phone. “Bruce is going as well. I’m taking our water truck, so I’ll pick him up on the way.”

Paula pushed food into the fridge and he came up behind her.

“I don’t want you to worry but if there is any hint of a fire around here or the warning to action comes on the radio, I want you to follow our plan – get in the car and drive into town.”

Once again Paula sucked in a breath, as a pang of anxiety grabbed her. “You said the fire’s a long way off.”

“It is, and with any luck I’ll be home again in the morning…”

“In the morning?”

“By the time we get there, we’ll do the last shift. I imagine it will be an all-nighter. I’m sorry. If you’re worried I’ll stay home.”

“No, you have to go.”

Dan gave her a hug and she breathed in the strong smell of his sweat. She was probably just as bad. She’d showered just before she left for town and had enjoyed the relief of the cool car and shops but already the perspiration was oozing from her again.

“Is there anything I can take to eat?” Dan was back at the fridge.

“I’ll pack some food.”

“Thanks. I’ll go and make sure I’ve got everything.”

Paula moved as quickly as she could, throwing together some sandwiches and wrapping some leftover cakes and biscuits. By the time he came back she had packed it all into one of their small eskies, along with an assortment of fruit.

He came closer and wrapped her in his arms. Paula leaned into him; in spite of everything she loved him. The phone in his pocket rang again. He let her go to answer it.