5. Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Josh
“ H ow’re you doing, mate?” I kneel down in front of Kieran, assessing his condition from his expression.
“Okay.” He’s still pale, but the shock is slowly wearing off. In a few hours, he’ll start noticing the pain more.
“Are you dizzy or feeling sick?” I ask again. None of us saw the fall; we only heard his friends screaming.
We had just shown them how to slide down the pole before moving on to the engines. Unfortunately, a small group, including Kieran, decided to give it a go without supervision. He lost his grip and fell from the pole. His friends insist he didn’t hit his head on the floor, but I’d rather be safe than sorry and not miss a concussion.
“No, I’m fine,” he replies. His eyes focus on me which is a good sign.
“Mum’s going to be so angry.”
“I’m pretty sure she’ll be glad nothing worse happened,” I try to reassure him, but he just shrugs .
“Kieran are you okay?” A very familiar voice calls out behind me. Sheila rushes to us, concern written all over her face.
“Sorry, mum—” Kieran starts, but she gently pulls him into an embrace and strokes his hair.
“Don’t worry about that. I want to know if you are okay. Is it just your leg or did you hurt your head?” she asks, gently inspecting him.
“Just my leg.”
“We checked,” I interrupt and she rounds on me.
“What happened?” she hisses and her eyes sparkle dangerously. Fuck, even when she’s angry she gets my pulse racing.
“Kieran fell off the fire pole.” I cross my arms in front of my chest.
“I have so many questions about that but that’s for later. Kieran I’ll call a taxi,” she dismisses me.
“I can take you.” The words are out before I can stop them. Why am I trying to play the hero?
“No… that’s fine.” She looks at me, unsure, before walking away with her phone pressed to her ear. I shrug at Kieran.
“She hates accepting help,” he gives me a small grin through the pain. No shit.
“Okay, it’s going to be an hour,” she declares when she returns. Fellside only has two taxi companies and they serve a wide area. If you don’t book ahead, it is tough to get one. Kieran tries to suppress a flinch. I’m sure he’s in more pain than he’s letting on.
“Sheila, let me take you. I’m off duty; I only came in because of the Scouts’ visit. Kieran’s in pain, and there’s no need for him to wait an hour before he can even get to the hospital when I can take you. I really don’t mind,” I repeat my offer. She’s torn, but one look at Kieran is enough to change her mind.
“Fine... thanks,” she finally accepts and gives me a tentative smile.
“Oak can you give me a hand getting Keiran in my car please?” I call out when Oakley, another member of my crew, walks past.
“Good thing you’re off today, eh?” he grins, and I feel like kicking him as Sheila narrows her eyes at his words. I don’t want her to change her mind again. I genuinely believe the lad is better off if I take them, but of course, I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy the idea of spending some time with Sheila.
Despite Sheila’s fussing, we eventually get Kieran settled in my car with his leg propped up on the back seat. Fellside is too small for a proper hospital, so it’s just easier to take him straight to A a first for me and I think it’s my new favourite thing about her. My mission from now on has to be to make her laugh more often.
“There they are.” A well dressed, short guy in his thirties points at us whilst a taller, dark-haired guy, roughly my age, stops behind him and turns his head in our direction .
“Dad!” Kieran cheers up a little from where he was slumped over in his wheelchair.
“Kieran, how are you?” The tall guy kneels down in front of him. The ex, I guess.
“I’m okay,” Kieran mumbles with little conviction.
“Thanks for coming Nico. It shouldn’t be much longer… I hope,” Sheila sighs as her ex places a kiss on her cheek.
“I could kill those firefighters. How could they let children slide down the pole?” Nicholas huffs, causing Sheila to flinch.
“The kids sneaked away from the group and decided to give it a go on their own,” I speak up. All eyes turn to me, and Nicholas at least has the decency to look embarrassed.
“Oh, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Peter, and this protective papa bear is Nicholas,” the shorter man introduces themselves in an attempt to diffuse the situation.
“Josh,” I reply, then glance at Nicholas again. “I can assure you, when we let them slide down the pole, we have someone at the bottom and at the top ensuring their safety. This incident was beyond our control.”
“I’m sorry, that was uncalled for.” He holds out his hand, and I accept his apology. “And thank you for bringing them here.”
“No problem.” I feel Sheila’s eyes on us.
“Now that’s been cleared up, tell us, Josh, are you married, children or are you—” I’m saved from Peter’s question by the nurse who calls for Kieran.
Sheila and Nicholas both go with him, which leaves me and Peter alone in the waiting area.
“Still waiting on my answer, you know,” Peter chuckles after a while .
“Single, no children.” My reply is short because I’m not sure I want to tell my life story to a person I only met ten minutes ago.
“Never married?” Peter probes and I give him a look. “Sorry I’m just nosy. Would you prefer me to ask about your fire hose instead?” he laughs, making me grin too.
“One not so nice ex-wife who I prefer not to talk about.” I take a sip from my tea hoping the interrogation is over.
“Oh goody. So… you’re not married, have a decent job,… are hot,” he fans himself and throws me a knowing smile. We fall silent. I’m not the best at small talk, especially in a weird situation like this. What do you say to the partner of the ex-husband of the woman you fancy? Come to think of it, I’m not even sure he is the partner, I’m just making assumptions.
“Sooo are you and Nicholas…?” I break the silence.
Peter nods, “Yeah, Nico and I have been together for… oh, nine years now. Are you and Sheila…?”
“No!” I exclaim way too harshly. I almost make it sound like I wouldn’t want to be.
“No? To be honest I’m not surprised. I think she’s still worried about opening up—” He stops himself from divulging more information. I wonder if I should let it go but I want to know more.
“Why’s that?” I probe.
“She hides behind her job and the boys but really I think Nico leaving did hit her hard,” he looks guilty. “Plus she’d have said.” He doesn’t elaborate but I assume that means she has a good relationship with her ex and with Peter.
“How did you meet? I mean, given that you’re still here waiting makes me think you didn’t just meet today. ”
“My fire crew has been called out to Greenview Manor a few times.”
“Aha. And you are interested in her?” he asks bluntly.
“I…,” I feel my ears turn hot, “well—”
"Say no more," he chuckles before turning serious. "Let me give you some advice though: If you're genuinely interested in her, take it slow and don't give up. But if you're just looking to fuck her, let me warn you that both me and Nicholas will make your life hell."
All the light-heartedness and cheek disappear from Peter's expression as he shows me his genuine concern for Sheila. It's clear she has a good friend in him, and I take his warning to heart.
“Apparently I have been mooning over her for the last eight months.” I think his honesty deserves some in return.
“Eight months, huh? Josh, I think it’s time you make a move otherwise I’ll have to help you along,” he laughs. “Nico and I have the boys this weekend so… Sheila will be free.”
“Thanks for the tip. But you know nothing about me, you’re very trusting.” Does he always shove her towards the next best single guy?
He sighs. “I’m a good judge of character. And men who are up to no good don’t hang around in a hospital for hours.”
He’s right in my case but I’m not sure I share his faith in people.