"Two days ago? How long was I out for?" I asked with amazement.
"Three days.... You were deftly ill with a raging high temperature. The Doc said you wouldn't make it through, but I am so glad you did." He said as he touched my cheek.
"Me too. But Tim... what made you change your mind?" I asked as I felt a relief of some kind go through me.
"Well... to be honest... I just couldn't kill a living human being other than a biter." He said smiling. "But I'm probably going to kick myself for letting her go one day."
"I'm glad you came to your senses, but what do you mean?" I said as I touched his hand that lay on my cheek and brought it to my lips.
"It's just that... well... I feel as if I don't trust Shirley 100 percent." He said watching me as I held his hand and kissed it again.
"Mmmm... that's nice and I see you are feeling much better now." He said as he moved closer to me.
"Yes... completely." I moaned. "I'm sure Shirley is just upset. She isn't the sort to cause trouble Tim, so don't worry."
He nodded without saying a word as he moved closer to me and then I felt his lips upon mine. They were soft and sweet. I clung to him tightly. His body was warm and it felt good to be near him once again.
Of course, our romantic moment was interrupted by chaos when Joe came storming into the room, yelling for Tim at the top of his voice. I looked at him frantically and knew something was about to go very wrong. Something terrible was coming and I had a bad feeling about it. What could it be now?
"Tim!" Joe shouted. "You have to come quick! There's a fire!"
37. Lydia Brown - Doomed By Fire
Tim left me and went off with Joe. I wanted to go with them, but Tim was adamant that I stay and rest, but I was anxious about what was going on. I wanted to be with them. Hearing that a fire had broken out was now getting to me. I wanted to be out there helping them.
I got up. I paced the room as I tried to consider what to do. I didn't want to rest anymore, because I felt better. I knew I could do something useful. I got my clothes and starting dressing. I was determined that I should see for myself what was really going on. I didn't care what Tim might say, because I knew it was more important to be outside than in here.
I left the room and walked down the hallway and out of the front door. What I saw next was a huge blaze roaring high into the sky. I looked around me. I stared upwards, into the gloomy, dark clouds and saw the smoke rising higher. When I turned to look ahead, I could see the barn burning in flames. It was a mess and it had, almost, fallen to bits.
Of course, what I noticed next astounded me. I thought I had seen someone lurking in the bushes. I walked closer and thought I could see a large figure hiding behind some trees. Who was that? I walked nearer and then I could see clearly who it was. Oh no! It's Shirley!
My mind went blank for a moment until I heard shouting in the distance and as I did, I turned around and saw flames coming from the side of the house. I ran to it and went inside to rescue the kids.
"Trudie! Everyone! Get out now!" I shouted hysterically.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Quick... get outside... there's a fire!" I yelled.
"Where?" she asked anxiously.
"Just get the others and get outside now... hurry!" I said feeling afraid for all that we had accomplished here.
Eventually, everyone ran outside safely. Truidie came out first with her baby along with the kids and Jenny, Janice and Ellie. The men were already out here trying to stop the fire, but it was proving to be a big problem. The fire was just too far gone and too hideous to stop. I felt at a loss at what might happen next.
I saw Tim and ran over to him. He was desperately trying his best to put the fire out, but we just didn't have enough water from the well to conquer it.
"Tim... stop... there's no point. We can't do it. It's gone now. Let it go." I said as I stood there trying to make him see that nothing else could be done.
He stopped, trying to get his breath back. I knew what he was thinking. He was at a loss. Everything that was inside that barn and the house was now lost forever. Of course, the one thing he had on him was his sword, but I knew that would never make him feel better about it.
"Tim, it's over. There's no use in trying to save it." I said sorrowfully.
"I know... but what caused it?" he screamed as I stood there with him.
I suddenly thought of who I had seen in the bushes. I was so sure that I had seen Shirley. Should I tell him? I was afraid to because I knew Tim would go nuts. He would definitely kill her I thought. Of course, at this point, I knew I would let him do anything to her, especially, if she had started the fire in
