A Love's Journey

By Stefan Michael Klepiak

From the author of The Bonegilla Kid, this second book called ‘A Love’s Journey’ is in complete contrast ? that will allow your imagination, to enter the book from the beginning to the end. You will follow the footsteps as you read page after page and experience every word as if you were actually there. It will help you follow along on an unexpected treasure hunt of life’s riches beyond your wildest dreams. It will expose the enormous promise and potential within you that can change your destiny. It will display the power when a few friends working together as a team without expectations of what you, also can achieve.

• Language: English
• Publisher: ReadOnTime BV
• Release date: Jul 4, 2014
• ISBN: 9781742844787

Stefan Michael Klepiak

Stefan Michael Klepiak is a family man who over a few decades has always had the ability to adapt to what life has offered and make the best of any situation. His entire life is maintaining a balance in whatever he does and quickly gets up after a fall. His natural talent to tell stories or to paint a picture with words have always been a great asset to him and has led him to writing this book.

Book preview

The rain was pouring down a lot harder now as the last guests made their way out. She was all alone when she released an explosion of emotions and slowly sank to her knees. Her sister wanted to stay with her, but she would not let her – she did not want to share this moment of time with anyone. She locked the doors and turned off all the phones. No one was going to intrude.

All alone, curled up on her lounge, she stared at his empty chair for hours. Memories drifted in and out of her mind.

She suddenly snapped back to reality, had a quick shower, dressed and packed a bag with her essential papers. She took whatever she treasured, just what was important to her. She called for a taxi and had one last look around the house that she had been so happy in but now just had to get away from as fast as possible.

The rain had stopped by now as she took the taxi to the cemetery gates. She asked the puzzled driver to wait a few minutes and told him that she would be right back.

She made her way to the graveside and removed her wedding and engagement ring. She stuck the rings deep into the soft soil of the new grave. ‘Goodbye, my love,’ she whispered then hurried back to the waiting taxi.

She washed the soil from her hands in a puddle left by the rain and gave the taxi driver his new destination – the Station Motel, where she checked in just before sunrise.

When she awoke, it was almost noon. After a shower and a few cups of coffee, she was quite awake and alert. She contacted her lawyer and instructed him to sell her house, the contents and the two cars as soon as possible.

She phoned her sister and told her that she’s going on a journey and to try to accept that without question. ‘We’ll still be in touch by phone, but we won’t see each other as often.’ She gave her sister a list of some precious personal items from her house and asked her to look after them.

She wanted to do two more things now – change her name and her appearance.

It took a few weeks to receive her new name, passport and driver’s licence, set up her bank accounts, get a new car, sell her past, and set up the foundations for a new future. ‘I’m almost free of my past,’ she told herself.

In the meantime she made a list of what she might want to do in her future. She made use of the motel’s gymnasium with a vigorous aggression; slowly but surely she was getting herself back into physical shape. She rewrote and changed her future list dozens of times and reduced the list down to just a few options.

She only stayed a few days at any place, and by now had stayed in most of the city’s motels. She dressed herself as a business executive so as to go unnoticed.

Now she was cashed up. Documents and sales were finally complete! She just had one more thing to do – see her sister. She didn’t want to upset or worry her in any way.

The meeting with her sister was full of shock and disbelief. It certainly wasn’t the rational behaviour of the person her sister thought she knew, and it took her sister by complete surprise. 

‘Just take a look at you. Who are you? You’ve cut your hair, you look so different. Why the new name? What’s happening to you?’ her sister asked.

She let her sister talk for a while as she held her hand and then asked her to stop. She explained how her whole life had changed – not by choice, but by destiny – and that now she wasn’t going to be stuck in the past, restricting her future.

‘My past is over and my future is just beginning. As sisters, our past and future will always be there, it will just be different.’

They stopped talking and just looked at each other, teary eyed, while holding hands. They said goodbye for the time being and departed.

At the motel, she read her future list again.

The car she bought was a four-wheel drive wagon; she also bought some new casual clothing to suit the outdoors. She then checked out of her motel and drove up the north coast.

It felt as if a heavy weight had been lifted off her as she enjoyed the journey into the country. The fresh country air, the sky and the colours – everything felt so right, alive and vivid!

A few hundred kilometres later she stopped at a small country town. Walking down the main street to stretch her legs, she came across a bed and breakfast motel that looked inviting. She decided to stay the night. After tea she went for a light jog – she was determined to keep fit.

As she was jogging past some tennis courts where three ladies were playing a game, one of the ladies called out to her.

‘Hey, excuse me. But do you play tennis?’

‘I used to play, but not since my college days,’ she replied.

‘Would you like to join us and make up a foursome? Our other friend had to cancel at the last minute. We’ve got a spare racquet,’ one of the ladies told her.

‘Tennis? Yeah. Sure, OK. But I might be a bit rusty,’ she said.

‘So are we.’ And they had a little laugh about it.

After introductions and a few questions, which she thought she handled well, the game was on its way.

The tennis game did her a lot of good, and she was pleased that she accepted their offer to play. There were lots of laughs, and after the game they said a cheery goodbye.  

On the road again the next day, she thought about the tennis game and the three ladies. It put an instant smile on her face.

‘Look at you smiling, just like a little girl,’ she said to herself when she saw her reflection in the rear-view mirror.

A few hours later she stopped to refuel and have a meal break. The service station attendant checked over her four-wheel drive wagon and then approached her.

‘That four-wheel drive of yours could certainly use a suitable set of spotlights and a few other accessories – a good bull and tow bar with a strong winch, and a decent two-way UHF radio could come in handy if you’re going out bush and driving off the main roads. I’d be happy to give you a fair price and fit them for you today if you like?’ he asked.

The station attendant gave her a dozen reasons why she may need them at one time or another. She decided to have them fitted.

The attendant also showed her how most of the features on her wagon worked. He also recommended that she do an extended four-wheel drive driving course. He gave her the name, address and phone number of a retired four-wheel drive ambulance driver who lived two hours further north where she was heading.

She felt that she was driving a tank but was glad she had all the new accessories fitted. The best part was that she could listen to the truck drivers. They have their own language, she thought. Some of the comments made her laugh

* * *

After a pleasant two-hour drive she arrived at her next destination – The William Thompson’s property, or as it was better known around the local district, Old Billy’s place. Old Billy was a retired ambulance driver. She would at least check things out and have a talk to him.

William Thompson was waiting near his shed as she pull up beside him and got out of her car,

‘Hi Mister Thompson I’m Helen Fields we talked on the phone earlier this morning,’ Helen introduced herself.

‘So you found the old place alright call me Billy, ‘Old Billy said as they shook hands.

 ‘If you want me to teach you, you’ve got to have time on your hands. It might take you a few weeks – that also includes taking a senior first aid course. You give the local ambulance station a donation for your first aid lessons, and if there’s an accident you may have to help out,’ Old Billy said, making sure he’d mentioned all of his conditions.

After only a moment’s thought, Helen agreed to proceed.

‘You can sleep in one of the rooms on the left side of the house if you like. You can settle in, keep the house tidy, do some of the cooking and get some of the tucker.’ Old Billy told her what he expected in return for his expert four-wheel drive tuition. ‘We’ll start at six-thirty in the morning.’  

‘Six-thirty? OK. Thank you, Billy,’ she replied.

‘We eat at six. The kitchen is at the right side of the house. Keep out of my room and leave everything where it is. You follow all that, Girly?’ Billy laid his cards down.

‘Yes I sure do, Billy.’

Helen almost couldn’t believe what she was getting herself into, but she did have a pleasant feeling about it.

Old Billy lived on a well-established eighteen hundred acre property on the outskirts of town, which had a population of six thousand. The town had the standard general purpose shops, hospital and airport and was surrounded by rolling hills and green pastures.

She became acquainted with the big old house – a surprisingly charming, well-maintained, impressive homestead. Built by an Italian stonemason over one hundred and forty years ago, the tiled roof gave the house a European appearance. There were verandahs right around it with French doors opening out from each room. 

Helen watched Old Billy near her four-wheel drive through the window of her room. He had all doors wide open, checking this and checking that, taking measurements here and there. He brought all her luggage to the front verandah and went back to the wagon.  

‘Girly, come out here for a minute,’ he called out to her. ‘Ok, Billy. I’m coming.’

She was glad Old Billy called her.

‘As we’re going to use your wagon so you can learn to drive it with confidence and safety, we’re going to have to make some changes,’ Billy said, looking over to see her reaction.

‘Changes, Billy? What changes?’

‘Yeah, nothing too drastic. You need a couple of roll bars – I’ll make and fit them. Also a stretcher base frame on the right side, it should fit in nice and snug. Is that OK, Girly?’ Billy asked her.

She had a good feeling about Billy. He sounded so supportive and worked with exceptional control and confidence that she agreed to what he suggested.

‘Well, you know what’s best. I trust you, Billy,’ she replied, thinking that she was living her new future. It had to start somewhere, with something – so why not here and now?

After talking to Billy for a while, she went back inside to check what food was in the fridge and pantry. Helen walked around the roomy house and noticed that the kitchen had a large slow-combustion stove with an overhanging brass rangehood. The walk-in pantry adjoined the colonial kitchen cupboards which were topped with stunning marble bench tops. The kitchen floor was tiled with dark slate and joined up to the polished timber floor that went right through the rest of the house.

She glanced over at Old Billy and tried to work out his age. He would have to be over seventy at least, she thought, but he looked strong, fit and healthy for a man of that age.

The sound of metal being cut in the shed out the back made her realise that these sounds were all new to her. They were not at all like the sounds of the city that she was used to. But she just loved it better by the minute.

‘Hold tea back till around six-thirty or seven. I’m going to be busy for a while,’ Billy yelled out from the shed.

The French leadlight windows and timber doors from the dining room led to an outside table on the verandah. She looked out the kitchen window and noticed a beautiful vegetable garden and a chicken pen behind it. Fresh eggs, she thought, what a perfect setup. And to her surprise, Old Billy kept his beautiful old house remarkably clean and tidy.

‘Would you like a cup of tea, Billy?’ she asked him.

‘Strong and black. No sugar thanks, Girly,’ he replied as Helen walked back through the large lounge.

She loved the beautiful old open fireplace that had a marble mantelpiece and an attractive spark arrester. Her eyes scanned over a timber and leadlight bookcase that went from floor to ceiling and covered the entire wall of the lounge hallway. The shelves were filled with beautiful old leather-bound books.

‘Ok, Billy. Cup of tea coming up!’ Helen took a cheese sandwich and cup of tea out to him and glanced into what looked like a fully equipped engineering workshop. It felt like she had slipped fifty years back into the past!

‘There’s some cold meat in the fridge we can have with a salad for tea, if you like,’ Billy told her.

She walked back into the house to unpack her bags and set up her room. She especially loved the bathroom from a time gone by that had the old-fashioned cast iron bathtub and marble walls and floor. The house had six bedrooms with colonial doors. Billy’s room ran off the lounge beside the fireplace; it looked more like a study or office than a bedroom. She noticed that all of the windows and French doors had emerald and beige curtains with stained timber pelmets.

Helen went back out to see how Billy was doing.

‘I love your house and all that lovely old furniture. Everything is in excellent condition and must be extremely old,’ she said. 

‘It sure is, Girly. My great-grandfather collected most of it and had some of it built nearly a hundred and forty years ago,’ Old Billy told her. ‘We need to have a chat about a few things while I make up your roll bars. You go to the ambulance station now and get suited up – boots, overalls and some safety equipment – and get a two-way mobile and car-radio, also an emergency field kit. Blakey knows you’re coming – see Erwin Blake. Use my car, the keys are in it.’

Billy also asked her to get a few other things.  

‘You’re scaring me a little, Billy, with all this,’ she told him.

‘Yeah, I felt the same way when I first started out. You’ll be alright. Nothing to worry about. I’ll be with you all the way.’

Driving to town she thought this was all so strange. But she felt a little excited about it all the same.

Helen did some shopping at the general store first and then went to the engineering works where Billy wanted her to pick up a few things. She had a look around to familiarise herself with the town. She found her way to the ambulance station – which was a classic old-time ambulance station – and introduced herself to Erwin Blake.

‘Hi! Billy sent me here to see you. I’m Helen Fields. Pleased to meet you, Mr. Blake,’ she said as they shook hands and became acquainted.

‘G’day, Helen. Pleased to meet you. Billy told me that you were coming in. Welcome to Lynes Valley. And just call me Blakey, everyone around here does.’

Erwin Blake was exceptionally friendly and welcomed her.

‘You couldn’t have a better man than Old Billy to show you how to drive in the bush and teach you emergency care,’ Blakey told her as he sized her up for boots, safety hat and overalls. ‘Just back Billy’s wagon in and I’ll load you up.’

After a quick chat, Helen thanked Blakey then headed back to Billy’s place.

They had tea at eight-thirty that night – corned beef and salad. Billy went back to the shed and told her to get some sleep.

‘You’ve had a long day, love. See you in the morning,’ Billy said.

‘Thanks for everything. See you in the morning, Billy. Goodnight.’

Helen had a very peaceful sleep.

She woke up at four-thirty in the morning to the sound of a rooster crowing. She felt quite refreshed and was ready to see what this new day had in store for her. Billy had already made a pot of tea and some toast while he was listening to the local news.

The first few days passed quite quickly. Her wagon had the two roll bars, a mobile ambulance stretcher and her emergency field kit fitted. Billy also installed a set of flashing emergency lights at the front and back of the roof rack and a siren under the bonnet.

Billy was always talking to Helen, showing her how this or that worked and what it did. Helen soon became acquainted with her new temporary ambulance. ‘You do this, and don’t do that!’ he kept telling her.

‘My car looks like an ambulance, Billy,’ Helen burst out with laughter. She never expected this in her wildest dreams!

‘Let’s hope you hardly ever have to use it, Girly,’ he told her with a slightly distressed look about him.

After a few weeks of classroom lessons at the ambulance station with Blakey, and with many hours of lessons from Billy back at the house, Helen couldn’t believe how little she knew of what it took to keep someone alive and how many different ways someone can become seriously hurt or die, suddenly and without warning!

Old Billy quite often helped out at the station, and Helen would tag along to help out and see what she could learn. 

Billy was constantly testing and correcting her, and they were always on standby ready to help out at a moment’s notice.

After quite a few driving lessons in rough terrain and boggy creek beds, Helen realised how useful this would all be to her for the rest of her life. Helen also realised how awful her driving skills were.

Billy taught her high-speed braking and defensive driving right from the start – she certainly learned a lot about vehicle control. Billy also taught her how to do her own service work, how to do a grease-and-oil change, change a tyre, tune the motor and more. He was teaching her how to be able to keep her wagon on the road. ‘You’re on your own in the bush’ he kept telling her. ‘You got to know your vehicle inside out’ he kept saying, trying to point out the importance of it all!

Billy bought her a car manual. ‘Learn to use it,’ he told her. And wherever they went, Helen was always the driver.

‘How am I doing, Billy?’ she asked him curiously.

‘Not too bad at all, Girly. But I’ll give you an answer when a real situation happens. You still have a way to go,’ Billy told her. ‘You’re going to get tested on Friday. Two examining officers are coming up – general theory and an off-road driving test.’

Billy explained to her that she had to pass both tests. ‘If you pass you can go out on call as a volunteer at sporting venues – you know, like netball, the footy, soccer, and be the first aid lady.’

Billy also told her of her limits.

‘You could stay on and do a paramedic course. That would take you about a year. But you’re pretty smart and learn fast, so maybe only nine months.’ Billy looked hopefully at Helen.

Helen thought for a while and realised she enjoyed Billy’s company and this lifestyle. The rewards for learning all Billy had taught her had already come!

‘That’s another twelve months, Billy.’ Helen smiled.

‘Yeah, you got the time?’ Billy anxiously asked her.

‘Well, I can’t stop now, Billy. Can I stay here with you?’ Helen asked.

‘Yeah, sure. I’m getting used to having you around, and you’re a damn good cook,’ Billy said as he smiled at her with admiration.

Billy never asked her personal questions; she liked that about him. At the same time, Helen never questioned Billy. Things were just talked about as they came up.

‘There is a bit of talk going around town about you, Girly. Some of the locals are giving Blakey the third degree here and there,’ Billy told her.

‘Yes, I know. I get a few stares and questions myself. It doesn’t bother me, Billy.’

Helen tried not to make an issue of it.

‘You know, Blakey told me that you’re one of the most qualified off-road emergency teachers in the country! They rewrote the instruction manuals using some of your systems and ideas, Billy,’ Helen proudly told him, to change the subject.

‘Yeah, some of their stuff made no sense, and Blakey raves on a bit.’

Billy laughed about it as he told Helen.

Early the next morning, Billy and Helen were digging around the vegetable garden planting a few new seedlings of this and that. Helen thought that this would be an opportune time to tell Billy her story of how and why she ended up here with him and was now doing an ambulance course.

‘I’m glad you told me, Girly. It helps me to understand your situation a lot better, and thanks for telling me. I was kind of wondering about you at times. You’ll be OK,’ he assured her.  

Billy was a lot more comfortable around Helen now. Their entire relationship became a lot more relaxed and entertaining.

‘You seem to have the ability to learn fast, and with my help you’ll be an off-road four-wheel drive paramedic in no time. Blakey is going to try and get you on the payroll, even if it’s only part time to start off with,’ he told her.

‘That won’t be necessary, Billy. I’m quite happy to remain being a volunteer.’

She brushed off the income proposal quickly; somehow Billy wasn’t at all surprised.

It was quite a shock to her when she first went out to an accident scene. Helen was a little unsure of herself, but Old Billy and Blakey were always there to see her through. They kept warning her about the dangers of an accident scene.

After a few months of experience, Helen became a confident and competent emergency worker. The townspeople were also giving her a lot more respect. Helen was often asked out to functions and dinners, but she always declined for the same reasons that she was behind with her studies.

 ‘We think you’re ready to take your paramedic exam, Girly. The examiner will be here in two weeks,’ Blakey told Helen.

‘Two weeks? But I don’t think that I’m ready yet, and I still have to pass my ambulance certificate,’ Helen explained.

‘You’re ready to pass both exams at the same time. You proved that yourself with that terrible car pileup last week. Dr Grand was most impressed with how all your patients turned up at the hospital and the support you gave him while he was alone for over an hour before his staff arrived. It’s all there in the report book,’ said Blakey.

Helen received a letter of commendation and congratulations from head office for her outstanding work under extreme pressure. Blakey had it framed and hung it on the wall at the ambulance station.

‘Billy, did you know that Blakey stole my letter and hung it on the station wall?’ Helen asked, with her hands on her hips.

‘Yeah, that’s Blakey all right! He and I are very proud of it. You don’t mind, do you? Our old station hardly ever gets a mention for anything.’

Billy justified Blakey’s delight in her letter.

‘No, I certainly don’t mind, Billy,’ Helen happily replied.

Helen even got a mention on the front page of the local paper. She passed both of her exams with ease and was now a fully qualified four-wheel drive Paramedic

* * *

Helen received a few offers for full-time employment from a number of ambulance stations in larger towns.

‘Well, I’ve done my part. I taught you everything I know in just under a year. Funny how fast time flies – it doesn’t feel like a year. So what job are you going to take on, Girly?’

Billy looked at all her work options and was anxiously waiting for her reply.

‘I was thinking of becoming an off-road remote paramedic. Maybe I could be on call to the Flying Doctor Service.  They could send me anywhere I was needed, and they would always know where I was should an emergency situation occur. What do you think about that, Billy?’ Helen asked him, feeling quite excited about it all.

Billy sat there thinking, and for a while his mind was drifting a few years back to when he had those sorts of ideas.

‘Well, you’ve got the right four-wheel drive ambulance almost set up and ready to go. All you need now is their approval. I can’t see why they would knock you back. You would be giving an excellent service to remote areas in the outback. Good for you! I’m all for it, now let’s see if we can set it up,’ Billy added. ‘And don’t forget you′re still the cook until you leave. And I’m hungry,’ he proudly said while he was smiling. 

Helen received her call-up notice and was officially employed by the Flying Doctor Service. She had to report for duty at Base-1 in four weeks time.

‘Your ambulance will have to be modified a little bit, to be more suitable and self-sufficient on the road,’ Billy said.

Billy and Helen wasted no time in fitting a long-range fuel tank, water tank, roof storage case and three more fold-down patient stretchers. They installed a heavy-duty battery system, a long-range UHF and VHF two-way radio, and a base satellite GPS system. They changed the tyres to a set of semi off-road tyres, fitted an external fold-down bed/table, an external portable shower, additional exterior lights and a pull-down annexe on the passenger side.

The wagon’s bonnet was painted yellow with a bright red cross and some other ambulance signs to make the vehicle more visible from the air and road.

‘I think that should do it,’ Billy told her.

‘I like your interpretation of a few minor changes,’ Helen replied, laughing.

‘There is one more thing, Helen. I want you to go down to the police station and see the sergeant; he’ll take it from there. This is for your own safety and protection,’ Billy added.

‘Blakey said something about that the other day. He also told me that it was quite important,’ Helen replied.

Helen had never fired a gun in her life. The local police sergeant gave Helen extensive shooting lessons, and he also supplied a service pistol and a rifle.

‘You may need these for your safety! You might have to shoot some tucker or some injured animal,’ he warned her, and he gave her dozens of examples of how to manage and avoid dangerous situations.

He also taught Helen some basic self-defence. After two weeks of training, the police sergeant was quite satisfied that Helen was now much better qualified at handling hazardous and confrontational situations.

‘Well, Girly, you leave in two weeks. Your wagon’s ready and you’re ready,’ Billy assured her. ‘But what about your sister?’

This question surprised Helen monetarily.

‘I talked to her a few days ago and she’s alright, Billy,’ Helen assured him. She wondered where this was leading.

‘Yeah. I talked to Emma this morning and she will be here by tea time. Emma said that you told her that you’re doing fine helping out at the local ambulance station. Helping out – that’s a good one, Girly,’ Billy said, laughing with a smile on his face. Billy had a good laugh. ‘Helping out!’ He kept on laughing.    

‘Emma’s coming today? This afternoon? Billy, what have you been up to?’ Helen looked at him, puzzled.

‘She phoned Blakey at the station and then phoned me. She asked me if it was all right to come up to see you today. I told her that she would make your day and that she was most welcome to stay a few days if she liked,’ Billy said as he winked his left eye at her with a smile.

‘You can wink alright, Billy. Emma’s coming today? Holy moly,’ Helen said out loud.

Helen sat on the steps of the front verandah and thought of her sister. She really was looking forward to seeing her now – it had been a long time.

Billy brought out a cup of tea and sat beside her. Both of them kept looking at her vehicle.

‘She’s a real beauty, isn’t she, Girly?’

Billy was keeping his eye on the wagon all the time while he was talking.

‘Yes, Billy. I just love the old Beast! You know, I’m looking forward to seeing my sister now.’

Helen’s eyes also didn’t move off her wagon.

‘I can tell you do. Is she going to get a surprise about you.’ Billy laughed, he was also looking forward to meeting Emma. ‘I have to go and help Blakey out for a few hours. I’ll see you later.’

Having said that, Billy walked off.

‘See you later, Billy. And say hello to Blakey and Susan for me,’ Helen called after him.

‘Sure, Girly. Be happy to,’ said Billy, noticing her passion.

Helen had a few hours to prepare herself before Emma was due to arrive. She decided to prepare a lovely tea for her, take a shower and get changed. It had been over twelve months since she last saw her sister.

Helen was ready – tea was prepared, the table was set, the house was immaculate, and there was even a little time to relax. But Helen’s mind was in overdrive thinking of what she was going to say to her sister, and she was reflecting over her time here with Billy.

Breaking the silence, Helen heard a call-out for Blakey to go thirty kilometres north up the highway. The two-way radio at the house was always turned on, and the details were a bit vague, but it was a flashing lights and siren job. The phone rang and Billy asked Helen to come in and man the station. He was going out to help Blakey.

‘You head off, Billy. I’ll be there in a few minutes.’ Helen got changed quickly and was down at the station within five minutes. The radio communication was steady, and calls were coming in from various motorists reporting the accident. The situation sounded worse by the minute. Helen alerted the hospital to be on standby and told Dr. Grand that Blakey and Billy should just about be at the accident scene. Susan was in charge of the station when Helen arrived.

‘Unit-2 to Base, over,’ Billy called Helen.

‘Yes, Unit-2. Come in, Billy, over,’ Helen replied in an urgent tone.

‘We need you to come out here real quick,’ said Billy.

‘I’m on my way, Unit-2.’

With a concerned look, Susan took charge and relieved Helen. Helen quickly left and was on her way. The highway was blocked, there was no traffic coming from anywhere. A few minutes later Helen saw Unit-2 coming towards her.  

‘Hurry, Girly. It’s a bad one. I’ve got two on board and there’s five more, all in a bad way. Good luck, and be strong, Girly.’

Billy prepared and encouraged her.

‘Ok, Billy. I will be. Thanks, Billy,’ Helen assured him.

‘Unit-1 to Medic-1, over.’ Blakey’s voice sounded stressed.

‘Come in Unit-1, over,’ Helen quickly answered.

‘I see you coming. There are three more injured at the accident site. Let me know if you want a unit to come back. They’re still all trapped in their cars, over,’ Blakey stressed to Helen.

‘Medic-1, roger that.’

Helen passed Blakey, and he was flying.

Arriving at the crash site, Helen quickly assessed the situation. The last three patients were still wedged in the wreckage, and the firemen were busy trying to cut them free. Helen made her way to a young boy, placed compression bandages around his almost severed legs and managed to get a plasma drip into his arm.

‘I want him out, he’s almost gone,’ she abruptly told the firemen.

Helen requested Air Rescue assistance and received a negative response – they were engaged on another call-out. 

The second patient was an elderly woman who was semi-conscious and pale. She had extremely low blood pressure and was having difficulty breathing. Helen gave her oxygen and asked her to stay calm; she assured her she would soon be free and on her way to the hospital.

The third patient was loud and abusive. Helen discovered he had a broken leg and some minor injuries. She asked him to be quiet and told him how lucky he was.

Helen constantly moved from patient to patient; the boy’s condition was unstable and now extremely critical. With the help of firemen she got him into her ambulance and now had two drips and monitoring equipment connected to him.

Helen again requested – and this time demanded – Air Rescue support. She advised them that the local hospital was inadequate to handle the boy’s injuries, and to get a chopper to her or the hospital as soon as possible.

The third patient was now also free. Helen asked the firemen to splint his leg and put him in the ambulance. While one of the firemen drove her ambulance, she monitored the patients’ injuries on their way back to the hospital.

Helen was in constant contact with Dr Grand who was also extremely busy with the other critically injured accident victims. She received a radio call from the Air Force who had just dispatched an Air Rescue Unit with a medical team. They would land on the highway. Helen was happy to hear that.

She used all her training and knowledge to keep the boy alive as his condition was now extremely critical. The woman was now more responsive, and she was breathing better; she had internal bleeding but was stable. The third patient was very quiet now, and Helen gave him a pat on his shoulder.

Air Force medical air support came to her assistance and made contact. ‘We will land six hundred metres in front of you.’ 

They transferred all three patients shortly after that. Helen was relieved and pleased that they came; the young boy’s life depended on air support.

Helen made her way to the station where Blakey was cleaning his unit out and restocking it with Susan’s help.

‘Are you alright?’ Blakey asked Helen.

‘No, Blakey. I’m far from being all right,’ Helen replied, a little disorientated.

‘What a mess some turn out, hey? Your unit sure came in handy tonight.’

Blakey kept talking to Helen to snap her out of it.

‘You sure blasted Air Rescue into action – they got the Air Force to send you a chopper. Good for you! I thought the boy was as good as gone, all wedged up in that car wreck. You got to his legs and treated him. Unbelievable! Well done, Helen!’ Blakey told her and tried to change the subject. ‘Billy took your sister to the house.’

‘Has Dr Grand got everything under control at the hospital or does he need some help, Blakey?’ Helen asked. Her mind was still on the accident patients.

‘Give Oscar a call if you like. We took some mess to him.’

Helen phoned the hospital had a quick talk to Dr Grand. 

‘The Air Force left two doctors and two nurses with him. How about that, Blakey?’ she said.

Helen was pleased, and feeling relieved.

‘Amazing, Girly. Back your unit in and I’ll give you a hand to clean it up and re-equip it. Susan will get you some clean overalls and help you to get cleaned up. You’re some sight.’

Blakey was staring at Helen’s appearance, all covered in blood.

‘Thanks. What would I do without you?’

It Helen took almost an hour to clean herself and her unit and restock it.   

She then went home. It had been her home for a while now. It was time to see her sister, and it was almost midnight.

* * *

It was quite an emotional reunion. They had talked for over an hour when Helen stated that she needed to get some sleep in case there was another call-out.

The girls shared the same room and went to bed. Helen fell asleep almost instantly; she was very tired.

As usual, Helen woke up around four-thirty and left the room quietly, careful not to wake her sister. Billy had already made a pot of tea and was writing out his accident report.

Helen smiled at him as she walked past to go and have a shower. Billy made her some toast and a cuppa just as she was ready for it.

‘Thanks, Billy. I needed that.’

She then joined Billy for a cuppa and toast while filling out her report.

‘I called Blakey just after you left the station last night. Blakey filled me in on the rest of the night. Great job, Girly! You did remarkably well,’ Billy proudly told her.

‘We all did, Billy, especially the fire crew. They were great in getting everybody out of the cars so fast,’ Helen said. All that training came in handy – it made my job a lot easier.’

‘I’ve never heard you give orders like that before, to get that air support. You certainly got your point across. They trusted your judgement and gave you a very quick response. I was very impressed with your action!’ Billy proudly told Helen.

‘I wonder how the boy is going, if he made it alright.’

‘Leave it there, Girly. You’ve done your job and did it well.’

In her training she learned to get them to the hospital and to forget about them.

‘Oscar will tell us – he always does, anyway,’ Billy added.

Helen went out to open all the doors of both units to let them air out. She also rechecked that everything was in order, just like Billy had taught her.

‘Got to go, the Air Force is sending all our equipment back. Blakey is driving down to meet them. I’m on call, I should be back around ten. See ya, Girly,’ Billy said.

‘OK, Billy. I’ll see you when you get back. Take care.’

Helen went in to make some breakfast and finish her report.

‘Wake up, sleepyhead. You going to sleep all day?’ She asked her sister.

‘I’m awake. I’ve been listening to you two for a while. It’s full on here – you might have to go at any time. No notice or warning and you’re a paramedic. I still can’t believe that. Well, say something, Sis.’

Emma was very surprised about her sister.   

‘Does bacon and eggs sound good to you?’

It had been a long time since they’d had breakfast together, and there was constant chatter about the past and old friends.

 Helen showed Emma her ambulance and then told her what she’d been doing since they last saw each other. Emma just sat there in awe at what Helen was telling her.

‘What about you, Emma? How’s life been treating you?’

The two sisters questioned each other for quite a while and told each other what they had done over the last fourteen months.

Helen assured her sister that she was quite well and was enjoying her time here with Billy.

‘I’m really looking forward to my new future, Emma. I can’t wait to hit the road and get going to see what lies ahead of me.’

Helen told Emma of her future plans.

‘You amaze me, Helen. What about your regular job. You spent years at college, and now you just want to be an ambulance driver. I just don’t know you sometimes, Helen.’

‘Just give it a bit of time and you will. I’ve never been happier than right now. And I’m a special class paramedic, and not just an ambulance driver – get that right!’

Helen smiled at Emma.

‘You’ve always been stubborn, but I love you all the same. And you know I only want what’s best for you, Miss Special Class Paramedic. Just keep in closer contact so I don’t have to worry about you all the time, OK? Promise me, Sis?’

Emma told Helen with tearful eyes that she cared very much for her sister.

Billy returned later and the three of them had two very pleasant days. While they did some shopping, Helen showed her sister Lynes Valley, the small town that had given her so much. Emma noticed how friendly and how much respect the locals all gave Helen. At the station, Blakey showed Emma her sister’s framed letter.

‘Oscar told me that there’s a good chance the boy’s legs will be saved, and the others are recovering,’ Blakey told Helen, who felt relieved as the boy had still been on her mind.

Blakey asked Helen to tell Billy that there was a meeting about the accident around three in the hospital lecture room. The combined rescue services, fire brigade, police, air rescue and the district commander would also be attending.

When the girls returned, Billy was checking over Emma’s car – she was leaving after lunch that day. Emma thanked him for looking after Helen and told Billy she was very grateful to him. The three of them had lunch and said goodbye to Emma.

‘I’m glad she came. We had a great time together, but she’s still not too sure about me,’ Helen told Billy.

‘I can see that, Girly, and I respect her concerns because she cares very much for you. She is used to keeping an eye on you,’ Billy tried to explain as they discussed Emma for a while.

It was time for the meeting. Billy left earlier to give Helen a bit of time to herself.

The meeting took nearly two hours.