Chapter 22
Fred was waiting for Ben when he finally got home.
His visits were getting more frequent and Ben was feeling slightly guilty – he didn’t want to be accused of cat-napping and he hoped the owner wasn’t feeling too annoyed by the amount of time Fred was away from home.
There’d been a piece on the news the other night about a woman who’d been accused of stealing someone’s cat, but how could he resist that little face glaring in at him from the window?
Ben opened it and Fred entered the kitchen with a piercing meow, before looking expectantly towards the cupboard – he’d quickly learnt this was where his snacks were kept. Ben rolled his eyes and grabbed a handful.
It had been a long day, but a fun one, helping the children climb into the cab of the engine, chatting to anyone who dropped by, handing out leaflets and safety information – he hoped people had read them before they got dropped into a recycling bin.
It had been good to hang out with Vick and Taz, too, and he’d enjoyed looking around the stalls. He’d even managed to buy a scented candle to take to his mum’s tomorrow, and he bought something for Evie after Vick had recommended the tie-dye clothing stall.
It was always strange to bump into someone he’d met on a call, so it had taken him aback at first, but he was pleased to hear she was doing okay.
And her friend. Ben smiled as he thought of the woman with the long, dark curls, her face serious as she concentrated on wrapping the gift, her obvious pride in her work as he’d picked out the present for Evie.
Vick and Taz had teased him when he’d told them he’d taken her card. ‘You should definitely message her, mate,’ Taz said. ‘What have you got to lose?’
‘She said to contact her if I needed to exchange them for another colour. She wasn’t asking me on a date,’ Ben replied.
‘But it could be a date,’ said Vick, clambering up behind the wheel. ‘I know that what’s-her-face hurt you, but you need to start dating again. Unless you’re still hung up on her?’
‘No,’ Ben said shortly. Then, ‘I’m just busy, that’s all. Anyway, I’m fine, I keep telling you.’
‘There’s fine, and there’s happy,’ said Vick, turning on the engine and checking the mirrors before slowly guiding the fire engine across the grass towards the exit.
‘You’re as bad as my sister,’ grumbled Ben. ‘She’s planning to auction me off to the highest bidder if I don’t get a date soon.’
Taz laughed. ‘Hope she’s not expecting to raise much money.’
Ben gave him a half-gentle punch to the upper arm in reply.
‘What about Kate, the woman who’s just joined Blue Watch?’ Vick asked, lifting a hand to wave to the organisers as they headed through the gate and out onto the main road.
‘I don’t want to date someone at work, we know that ends in trouble. Ouch. Present company excepted,’ he amended hastily as Vick elbowed him in the ribs.
‘Oi, Brian and I are very happy, thanks very much.’
Ben smiled. ‘You are, but you’re very much the exception to the rule. Most times it’s a disaster.
It was true, he thought. Dating someone at work was a bad idea, and it was particularly hard if you split up and had to continue working together, especially in professions like the emergency services. It wasn’t worth the risk, as far as Ben was concerned.
He turned to Taz. ‘What about you? You’re always pushing me start dating again, but you’re still single.’
‘Yeah, but I’m happily single. You’re not. You’re a much better human when you’re going out with someone. And sure, women are throwing their business cards at you right now, but you’re not getting any younger, are you?’
‘Thanks, Taz, great pep talk.’
Vick snorted with laughter. ‘He’s right, though.
Not just the getting any younger bit. Women know they have to get a move on if they want kids.
Men can afford to wait, but life will pass you by before you know it.
You’re never going to meet someone and have a family if you don’t put yourself out there. ’
Ben was about to protest, but deep down he knew they were right.
He’d thought he would have a partner by now, perhaps a child.
He’d imagined a little boy who would play with Evie.
When Luisa had finally left, his whole future had gone with her, and he didn’t know if he could put himself through that again.
Far safer to stay as he was than risk being hurt again.
Taz offered to go to a bar with him the next time they were off, and Ben had agreed, mainly to stop them going on at him. But now he was home, alone once more, the conversation from earlier came back to him.
And strangely, when he thought about a possible new future, he pictured the woman with long dark curls handing him her business card, which he realised he hadn’t thrown away.