Saved By The Firefighter
Chapter 24

Ben's Point Of View.

Finally, it is Friday, the last night shift. To say this week has been tough would be an understatement. excitement about a date with an amazing girl you are obsessed with, then to find out the same girl is I stretched out my back as I lay looking at the clock. I have a couple of hours before I need to set off f "Hey you," she answers.

My heart soars, her voice sounds so much better, but I know she will not have gotten much rest again me off, is that I could have spent a couple of hours every day with Lucy between three and five, helpin with the brat.

"Hey, you got the kids again?" I asked, trying to keep the utter annoyance out of my tone, but failing m "Yeah; she popped to the shop. Three hours ago," Lucy responded, the annoyance in her voice matchi "Well, at least you start work next Wednesday," I sighed, resisting the urge to say a lot more about the "Yeah, I cannot wait... Kirstie, no, no, darling, we do not hit our brother, please say sorry." Lucy continu

I wait patiently for her to finish disciplining the little one, my mind wandering to what a great mother "I'm back, sorry, someone wanted a toy the other one was playing with." She laughed.

"So, I have booked the place I am taking you, and I may have done something else as well," I sheepish but that is not all I want from her.

"Sounds ominous." Lucy lets out a little laugh.

"Now, hear me out to the end before you think I am a pervert," I quickly told her.

ways difficult to get used to the shift changes. The first batch of nightshift has your body and mind confused as hell most of the time, but add to that the tly living each day in what must feel like a battle zone and there is not a lot you can do about it, makes the week a hell of a lot longer.

k, so I do what has become my new daily ritual this week. I pick up my phone and called Lucy.

Her brother's girlfriend would see to that. As expected, I hear the kids in the background, and Lucy trying to deal with them. The thing that has really pissed so that she could get a break. But when she asked Samantha if I could pop over, she had a hissy fit, and it really wasn't worth putting Lucy through the fight

ly.

own.

ion.

ll be one day. s**t, I cannot deny that I am thinking of her being a mam to my kids... this is getting intense!

her, hoping she does not immediately think I am a perv just after one thing. Okay, granted I do spend a lot of my waking hours perving about that 'one thing',

"I don't think you are a pervert. However, now I am seriously wondering what you have done." Lucy lauagain.

"I have booked us into the Elizabethan Banquet Night at Lumley Castle. There was a deal where you co

good night's sleep," I say, hoping she doesn't freak out.

"Oh." Is her response. I scrunch my face up, wondering if I have completely screwed this up now.

ook a room as well, so I did that. But before you freak out, I ordered twin beds, and you can tell me to f**k off, but it is for no other reason for you to get a

"Ben, that is so lovely. I have always wanted to go to the castle for an Elizabethan Night. Thank you. But, I have to admit to being worried about staying in a twin room." Lucy sighs.

s**t, I knew I had gotten carried away with myself. Seriously though, I did just think it would be nice for her to get some sleep in a bed, and for me to enjoy a drink and not worry about getting home. "Sorry, honestly, I do have the best of intentions," I sigh out, hoping she is not going to change her mind about the date.

"Oh, I know that. My main concern is, how the hell are you going to fit into a single bed." Lucy laughs.

"So, you are okay with it?" I hesitantly ask her.

"Kind of, but just so you are aware. Nothing, erm, well, you know, is going to happen. I am not that type of person, and definitely not ready for that," she says and even though she is on the phone, I can imagine her cute blush on her cheeks right now.

"I know it wont Lucy. Honestly, hand-on-heart, that was not why I booked it. I just wanted you to get a good night's sleep, and for me to enjoy a drink and not worry about getting us home, or what time you had to be back for, to stop Samantha kicking off at you," I reassure her.

"I understand and thank you. So long as your fireman's hose remains in the engine it will be all good." Lucy giggles.

The more we speak the more confident she becomes, she has a wicked sense of humour, something I adore about her.

"Oh, you did not just pull the fireman's hose line," I tease.

"Kind of. Oops. Hey, it is your first one for tonight, after all you told me yesterday about weekend nights on shift, I wanted to get it in before the drunken women do." Lucy laughs.

I let out a long chuckle, yeah, Fridays and Saturdays even Sunday nights on shift are interesting to say the least.

"So, what are you going to do tonight?" I ask her.

"Well, I found the series of Special Forces: Have You Got What It Takes on Netflix and well, one of the contestants looks vaguely familiar, so I am going to binge watch that." She laughs.

I let out a low chuckle, my stomach doing a small flip knowing she will be watching me on that show. I suppose it will answer some of the questions she may have about the fire I was in, ... or make her run for the hills. Although, the more I get to know Lucy, the more I think she is someone who will support me rather than run away from me.

Crying erupts in the background.

"It's okay Daunte, it will clean right up... Sorry Ben, got to go, Daunte has spilt his milk everywhere," she tells me.

"Of course, I will text you later if I can, and see you tomorrow." I smile at the thought of seeing her.

"Yeah, looking forward to it, stay safe Ben," she tells me happily, before hanging up the call.

I walk into the station, it feels a little weird not seeing Davey sat reading his paper, but he had some family s**t go down, so has taken this shift off. I wonder who they drag in to replace him for the night. I know we are short staffed. Given there is only me on clean- up and cooking detail tonight.

I hang up my coat and place my stuff into the locker, then head straight to the kitchen, wondering what I am going to make tonight. I will probably just go with plating up a boat load of sandwiches, and cut fruits, that we can easily grab between shouts. After all, after 9pm, most of the night will be sat in the engine parked in the City Centre, ready for if we are needed in one of the pubs and clubs.

Pulling out the loaves of bread, Josie arrives, heading to her locker.

"I will come give you a hand in a sec Ben," she kindly offers.

I smile and nod at her. The rest of the gang arrive, Headache has a headache, Wayne is going on about how cool some YouTube bloke is, and Twinkle is moaning about his 'Mrs. and the designer handbag she has just bought then placed it in the wardrobe beside the designer shoes she never wears. Yellow Watch all leave giving us a wave, and shouting good luck, for tonight. As Josie runs over with a shy smile on her face. "Hey, do you know who is on shift with us tonight?" I ask

"No, so have you told her about the room?" Josie whispers at me, whilst she takes hold of the butter knife and grabs half the bread.

"Yeah," I whisper back.

"And?" she grins up at me.

"She is okay with it, I made it clear it wasn't for any funny business." I smile.

"Cool, but will you be able to control your urges." Josie giggles slightly.

"I am going to have to, but honestly Josie, it was booked so she could get some rest, that f*****g brother's girlfriend is a joke," I sigh out.

"Kid's having kids." Josie shrugs, and I know she is right.

Station Officer Webber walks into the common room.

"Right, as you all know you are a man down tonight, as Davey had to have a personal day. Because we are short staffed. You lucky lot, have the joy of my company on the engine." He grins at us, as everyone supresses the groan. There is nothing worse than having your station officer in the engine watching your every move. Although Webber is an okay bloke, truth be told.

"Also, I know this is your last night shift, just to confirm you are back to work at 6am Wednesday for day shift. Now, Sunday next week will be your first day off-shift, but it is also the Family Fun Day, I need numbers of how many are coming, so if you can drop me an email before you are next on shift with how many you have coming, and what you are going to volunteer to help with on the day, please. At 21:00 hours if we are not on a shout, we will be taking the engine into the city to back up the other crews, our spot is to park between The Beehive, and the old Debenhams building, opposite the Point. I will see you all then, if not before." Webber announces then swaggers off to his office.

"So will you be bringing Lucy to the BBQ Day?" Josie asks.

"I don't know, do you think I should?" I ask her.

"If you want to, definitely. Davey is bringing Kathline and Naughty Norman." Josie smiles.

I nod, yeah, I think I may well invite her, but I need to get tomorrow sorted first.

"So how is it going with the Arsehole?" I ask.

Her face turns into a grimace, then she begins to snigger slightly.

"He messaged me, saying see you on Sunday," she tells me, shaking her head.

"Oh." Is all I respond.

"But that is what he thinks, I am going nowhere near the Aquatic Centre this Sunday, I am going to head up to Hetton, and use their pool." She grins.

I let out a little laugh, she is going quite aways out to avoid him. If I did not know any better, I would swear she is enjoying this cat-and-mouse game they are playing a little too much.

We pack up the sandwiches and place them into some Tupperware boxes, to put on the engine ready for sitting watching the piss heads go by tonight. Then cover the rest and place them in the fridge.

I text Lucy a couple of times, to find out Samantha never did return home, so she has put the kids to bed, not knowing when the 'mother of the year' will return. Seriously, it is annoying the hell out of me, how much that woman takes advantage. There is a special place in hell reserved for parents who do not give a s**t about their kids.

Yeah, okay, I admit, my annoyance isn't just because of Lucy, it has triggered something deep inside about my absentee father as well. I know how difficult it was for the mother to bring me up on her own, whilst he didn't give a s**t.

We sit in the engine parked in our spot as the drunken residents and visitors to Sunderland City Centre enjoy their night out. Yes, there have been many a comment out how big my hose is, or if I am in proportion to my larger-than-average body.

"So, will your Mam be coming to the Family Fun Day this year Ben?" Station Officer Webber asks.

"Yeah, I am sure she will be; you know she loves a good party." I laugh.

"Hum, yes, we missed her last year, and the year before," he tells me, then continues to stare out the front window.

"Oh, y'all, look out my window, t**s!" Wayne laughs.

I shake my head, looking around, and see two girls, one with greasy bleached hair, and orange arms and legs, with her t-shirt up waggling her naked breasts in the window. My blood boils!

Before I know what I am doing, I am out of the engine, hands across my chest, glaring at her.

"Oh, it's the giant who wants to f**k Cals pathetic sister," Samantha shouts, laughing as she stumbles over her feet.

A low growl comes from my chest, as I take deep breaths to calm myself.

"Move along ladies," Webber tells them.

"Hey, why go after her when I will give you a turn. I doubt she knows what to do with a d**k anyway." Samantha laughs with her friend.

"I

I suggest you go home to your children," I growl out.

Josie is by my side, placing her hand on my arm, as Webber, gives me a look of surprise. I am never one to bite in these situations, but my annoyance and disgust for this woman before me has hit the limit of what I can control.

"Here mate, f**k off. I have given her a f*****g house to live in, least she can do is watch my kids for me," she shouts.

I take a step forward, shaking my head.

"Here is a little tip for you. Sow your fanny up until you are prepared to look after what comes out of it!"

"Bishop, back in that engine. NOW!" Webber shouts and turning on my heel, I climb back into the fire engine as Josie comes in beside me, giving me a soft sympathetic look. What is worse, now the whole f*****g crew will know I have been seeing Lucy and I am in no mood for the banter that will come my way. s**t!