"She wouldn't tell me what had happened but I could hear someone in the background saying 'Paul, stay with me," said Natasha. "I thought I was going to find him dead."
Paul had been the victim of a vicious assault that left him with severe brain damage. Once she reached the hospital, Natasha had to wait for almost two hours before she was allowed to see him.
"I started to scream. He had bleeding and bruising on the brain and a fractured skull," she said.
Paul was able to come home two months later, but the couple's lives had changed forever as Natasha now needed to give her partner round the clock care.
Because of Natasha's unwavering love and support she has been shortlisted for Headway - the brain injury association's Carer of the Year Award.
The 27-year-old from Cheadle will join just two other finalists chosen from across the UK to be in the running for the title. The accolade, sponsored by SweetTree Home Care Services, will be presented at a ceremony organised by Headway – the brain injury association at the Dorchester Hotel in London on Friday 8 December.
Before Paul's accident, Natasha was a stay-at-home mum to their two young children and only had a few friends. After the birth of her second child, Natasha rarely left her home in Cheadle.
Two years went by and she reached a point she would only leave the village if a friend went with her. But as Paul battled for his life in hospital, Natasha made the 22-mile round trip each day to be by his side.
"It was such a sudden role reversal," she said. "He was my rock, I went to him for everything. To see him like that, he was like a vulnerable little baby."
Headway supported Natasha by buying her a bus ticket to cover her numerous trips to and from the hospital, and Natasha made several calls to the charity's free helpline for advice and support.
When Paul came home in August 2015 the couple's relationship had completely changed and Natasha found herself caring for a different man.
"I thought when he came home everything would go back to normal," she said.
"But he didn't understand basic concepts, like tea is hot and you can't drink it straight away. He would leave the house in his pyjamas. If I gave him clothes to put on he would put them over the top of his pyjamas.
"Now he's a completely different person every day. Some days he's up, he's dressed himself and he's made some porridge. But other days he really struggles."
The hardest change for Natasha has been the lack of emotion from Paul.
"He's emotionally flat," she said. "He used to be so loving, he would find any excuse to show me affection.
"He would walk past and kiss me on the forehead or brush his hand on my knee. The only emotion he shows now is anger. That's why I was so surprised that he had nominated me for this award. I was so touched, I cried.
"It sounds horrible, but I've had to learn to love him again. I heard the phrase, 'the hardest thing you will ever have to do is mourn the loss of someone who is still alive', and that's exactly how I feel."
Natasha found not only had she become a carer, but she had become both mum and dad to her two children.
"My eight-year-old daughter is being investigated for ADHD so she's a handful," she said. "Before I would look to Paul for back up but now he doesn't understand.
"How do I explain to my four-year-old why one minute dad wants to play and have a hug and the next minute he wants him to go away?"
Nine months after Paul's assault, Headway announced they would be opening a charity shop in Cheadle and Natasha decided she wanted to volunteer.
"I just wanted to give a little bit back," said Natasha."With Headway, you can see where the fundraising goes, you can see what it does for people. Volunteering felt like being part of a family where no-one judged you. I developed a lot of personal confidence."
Natasha quickly became a favourite in the store, and the manager encouraged her to work on the shop floor. Shoppers affected by brain injury were regularly coming in to chat to Natasha about what they were going through.
"One man would come in every Thursday," she said. "His wife had sustained a brain injury and she was still in hospital. He would ask if she was going to be the same person when she came out. I remember wishing I had somebody to talk to when I went through it."
Realising she could support other people affected by brain injury inspired Natasha to train to become a counsellor. She has achieved her level 2 certificate in counselling skills, and is completing her level 3 certificate at Stockport College every Wednesday.
"I've found my calling. If you had told me two years ago I would be going to college and studying to help other people I never would have believed you," said Natasha.
Although Paul struggles to show emotion as a result of his brain injury, he nominated Natasha for the award with the help of her sister showing just how much he cares for her.
"I know I wouldn't have made such a fantastic recovery if it wasn't for Natasha," said Paul. "Now she's attending college because she wants to work with familes and loved ones of those affected by brain injury.
She is a truly amazing and inspiring woman. To take on such a role at her young age as well as being a mum is incredible."
Each year, Headway Annual Awards celebrates the exceptional efforts of survivors of brain injury and their carers.
Natasha will discover if she is to be named Carer of the Year at a glittering ceremony at The Dorchester Hotel, in London, on Friday 8 December. Awards for Achiever and Volunteer will also be presented, alongside the Stephen McAleese Outstanding Contribution to Headway Award.
