Chapter 10
Ben was perched on a stool at his kitchen counter eating breakfast. He’d propped his phone up against the cereal box and, while he ate, he read a newspaper report about the fire he’d attended at the weekend.
Police and fire investigators have confirmed that the fire started in a service area.
Evidence of drug use was found at the scene and it is suspected that the use of a naked flame resulted in an oil-covered cloth catching fire.
Teenagers were seen fleeing the building and police are seeking assistance from local residents to help identify them.
Taz Brynt, Operations Manager at Pelham Fire Station, said, ‘Fortunately, firefighters arrived on the scene before the blaze took hold and were able to extinguish it at source.’ He went on to thank the onsite wardens for helping evacuate tenants, stressing the value of community work.
‘More and more, it’s about working with residents in their homes to make sure that, if the worst happens, they are able to get out safely and quickly.
A special mention must go to Crew Manager Ben Walker, who rescued a fourteen-year-old boy from the scene. ’
The boy’s mother described Walker as ‘a hero’, adding that she’ll be eternally grateful to him for saving her son’s life. The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is currently recovering in hospital.
The police are treating the incident as suspected arson.
Ben felt a flush of pride to see his name mentioned in the article, and thought about forwarding it to his parents.
But he dismissed the idea and, instead, scrolled to the next article, fighting another yawn.
Having just come off nights, his body was still out of sync and he’d had to force himself to get up and have breakfast. He was very tempted to just go back to bed.
A movement at the window caught his eye and, looking up, he saw two green eyes glaring at him through the glass.
Ben laughed as he realised that it was just a cat.
In fact, the same cat he’d seen chasing a squirrel the other day.
Standing up, he reached over to the window, opening it slightly, intending just to shoo it away.
The little cat was grey with black stripes, and, up close, Ben noticed that he had a black patch over his right eye, making him look like a pirate – an impression that was enhanced when the cat took advantage of the open window, slid through the narrow gap and swaggered along the work surface before coming to a standstill and fixing Ben with a steely gaze.
‘Um, get out of here, you!’ Ben made wafting gestures towards the cat, trying to usher him back towards the window. ‘You’re not meant to be in here, go home!’
The cat, however, ignored him, looking around the kitchen as if assessing Ben’s housekeeping. Ben almost apologised for not having done the washing up yet.
Instead, he clapped his hands at the cat and this time it moved, bolting back outside, although not before pausing to turn back and look at Ben with a look of reproach.
Ben watched as the cat disappeared into the shrubbery, slinking under the low branches before vanishing out of sight, its stripes helping to camouflage it completely. He wondered where it lived – he guessed it had a home since it looked healthy and well-fed.
Just then, the buzzer rang and Ben went to answer the intercom. He was pleased to see a delivery man dropping off a package and went to the main front door to collect it.
Shouting a thank you, he carried his parcel back to his flat, giving it an experimental shake and, when it rattled, guessing it was the Lego he’d ordered for Evie’s birthday present.
He’d had several texts from his sister reminding him of the forthcoming event, and he’d assured her that he’d be attending the party the following weekend.
His mum had texted saying she was looking forward to seeing him, and Ben was happy that she’d be there, it was just his dad that cast a shadow over proceedings.
Feeling a familiar heaviness begin to settle, Ben gave himself a shake. Deciding he needed to fight his tiredness and get out of the flat, Ben changed into his shorts and T-shirt, located his running shoes and, earbuds in, music on, headed out for a jog. He knew he needed to keep himself busy.