In the heat of the moment I wasn't sure whether to dial 15 or 18. CC called urgently because the Whale had passed out. She was slapping his face and calling to him as the man answered the phone.

'I need an ambulance. Is this the right number please?'

He asked for the address then said 'I'll put you through to 15.'

The doctor realised I was English and decided to practise his. 'If you speak slowly I'll understand', he said. He made sure that Whale was now coming round and responding but said an ambulance was on its way.

Sure enough, in a matter of minutes two paramedics were at the door. After initial checks they decided to take him in and I was allowed to go too. They sat me in the passenger seat so that the medic could stay in the back to look after his patient.

Wow, I wouldn't have thought it was an emergency but the blue lights were flashing and they took advantage of the siren to jump red lights and overtake the queues of traffic. The 'quick' way to the hospital was impassable because of flooding so we went through the town. It was interesting to see that heavy goods vehicle drivers were much more likely to pull over or drive in a co-operative manner, whereas lots of motorists seemed oblivious to the warnings, and one even pulled out right into our path.

Nevertheless we got there safely. A nurse took charge of the Whale and I went off to 'reception' with the ambulance man to produce the Carte Vitale and check him in.

I'm quite used to the system by now and settled down in the waiting room for over an hour before they called me through to see him. He had an antibiotic drip in his arm and had already had blood and urine tests and an X-ray. They were waiting for the results before deciding whether or not to admit him.

The 45 minutes suggested by the doctor turned into an hour and a half but eventually he came back with the news that it was quite a serious urine infection that needed treatment by a drip so they would keep him in for a couple of days.

They would also take advantage of him being there to check on his painkilling medication and see if they could come up with something more effective.

It wasn't long before they took him up to the ward and I was given the necessary piece of paper to go and prepay a phoneline for him. CC and Jay brought in all the equipment he needs - wheelchair, walking frame, toiletries, book and glasses - and then, once he seemed settled we all went home.

It was nearly four o'clock when we got back after a very ordinary, run of the mill ride. Quite tame compared to the trip to hospital.