Monday 14th March
Ill never forget last night. One moment, everything was quiet, and in the next, a deafening crack split the air as a storm rolled over the fields near our home on the outskirts of York. I was in the lounge at the time, reading, when a bolt of lightning struck. The next thing I knew, there was a horrible orange glow outside and a choking smell of smoke drifted in through the windows.
Without thinking, I bolted out the front door straight for the stables where our 14 Clydesdales were kept. My heart was pounding out of my chest. I remember desperately banging on the stable doors and yelling, trying to get the horses attention so they wouldnt panic. There was no time for fear, only action.
Mum, Tracy Martin, keeps saying, I dont think wed have made it if you hadnt dashed outside. Its not the first time Ive had to run into burning buildings for the animalsthough I hope its the last. Every time, Mums hands shake while she talks about it.
Oddly enough, only an hour later, a tremor rattled the windows and the china in the sitting room. Books tumbled off the shelves, and the dogs started barking, but nothing seemed to be broken. The local newspaper called it a rare Yorkshire quakeLisa Janak from the Emergency Planning office said she didnt remember anything like this happening in our lifetime.
By some miracle, we got all the horses out. Pushing them out through the smoke and chaos was terrifying, but instinct kicked inthey just seemed to know to trust me. The stables are badly damaged, but at least they werent completely reduced to ashes. The important thing is that were all safeClydesdales and humans alike. I dont feel like a herojust someone who did what needed to be done.
