‘‘If I was not working, there would be too much thinking.
‘‘Keep me working,’’ she said.
The Manchester St house in which she, husband Bruce and son Charlie (21) had lived for 17 years was destroyed in a blaze on Saturday afternoon.
The Sheppards own popular George St fish and chip shop Fish Hook.
The fire was started by oil her niece was using while cooking, Mrs Sheppard, who is originally from Thailand, said.
Her niece had to run to neighbours’ homes to get help, as she did not speak English.
She had gone back to visit the house since Saturday, and described the feeling as ‘‘terrible’’.
They had not been able to save any of their possessions, and were staying with a friend of her husband’s, she said.
People had been dropping off donations of items and money, but she was unsure how much she could accept as she did not want a large number of items that had to be moved from house to house until they found somewhere more permanent.
But there was one item she needed — a warm coat.
