‘They’ve had the best time,’ my friend smiled back as I tucked into pizza. I was feeling relaxed and looking forward to my husband, Darren, then 47, turning up after playing hockey nearby.
‘He should be here soon,’ I said, seeing it was 7 pm already and getting dark. Pulling the sleeves of my top-down as I felt a chill in the air, I watched my friend lean over the table to refill a decorative burner we were using so we could see. Only as she topped it up with ethanol, a huge wave of fire crackled into the air and a wall of flames was hurtling towards me with a loud whooshing sound.
Chaos was erupting all around me, and all my instincts told me to run but within moments the flames were surrounding me, climbing up my arms and legs.
Instinct kicked in
‘I’m on fire,’ I screamed, jumping up and frantically trying to pat the flames down. But they grew more ferocious and I smelt the sulphuric, dirty odour of my shoulder-length blonde hair burning.
Everything happened so fast, all I could see was fire, and somewhere, in the depths of my panicked mind, I remembered a class in school where fire-fighters had taught us the drop-and-roll technique. I ran towards the kitchen like a human fireball, clawing off my black leggings and top and throwing myself onto the hard kitchen floor and rolling around until I felt the flames fade and crackle into my skin.
Denne historien er fra October 19, 2020-utgaven av WOMAN'S OWN.
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Denne historien er fra October 19, 2020-utgaven av WOMAN'S OWN.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
'SEEING MY NAME ON TV IS SURREAL'
Loose Women newbie Olivia Attwood Dack on joining the hit show, marriage and career goals
THE MISSING PIECE
My earliest memory of my older sister Priya wasn’t one where she was present, but rather, the realisation of her absence.
WEEKNIGHT WINNERS
Rustle up these tasty family dinners with just five easy ingredients
SMILING THROUGH CANCER
Like most mums, when my kids are upset I’ll do almost anything to turn their frowns upside down, whether it’s making Max, 11, his favourite chocolate cake or putting on silly voices for Georgia, eight, when she’s had a bad day at school.
BRAVERY AMIDST SUCH HORROR
The Woman's Own columnist has her say on dinner time, posh grub and wet summers
RELAX & RESET
For farm-to-table food and a game-changing spa, head for the dramatic Dolomites
HELP! I'M TURNING INTO MY MUM
As the years pass, Heather Main, 39, realises she’s inheriting more and more of her mother’s traits
I WAS MISTAKEN FOR MY HUSBAND'S MISTRESS!
When Gemma Loveden, 38, lost l6st, a family member was convinced she was someone else...
Denise confesses I'MA MORNING SEX PERSON'
Never one to mince her words, Denise Welch is much-loved by fans for her refreshing honesty.
Cat & Ben SNUBBED!
Are the This Morning hosts feeling disgruntled after missing out on an NTA nomination in favour of Alison?