Chapter 30
Ben reached into his locker and pulled out his backpack.
It had been a quiet night, which could often be hard as the hours dragged on, but they’d had a session in the gym – all firefighters had to maintain a certain level of physical fitness, and so working out was part of the job – as well as time for some revising.
Ben was studying for his category C driving licence that would allow him to drive the engine, so he’d spent a few hours going through notes and preparing for the upcoming theory exam.
After an hour of studying, he’d decided he needed a coffee. Vick and Taz were already sitting at one of the tables, so he’d joined them, landing heavily on the seat with a grunt, his muscles sore from the workout.
‘Only another two hours and then we’re done,’ Vick said with a yawn. ‘How’s the studying going?’
Ben had pulled a face and Vick had laughed. ‘I know right? It’s a lot to remember.’
‘The problem is, I’ll forget it all by the time I have the exam.’
‘You’ll be fine!’ Taz said. ‘Don’t spend all weekend studying, though, it’ll just stress you out more. How about we go for a drink this afternoon?’
‘Sorry, mate. I’ve already got plans,’ Ben said, explaining that he was meeting up with the woman from the fair to swap Evie’s present
‘I knew it!’ said Vick triumphantly. ‘I said you should ask her out!’
‘Yeah, about time you got your act together,’ agreed Taz, giving Ben a playful shove that nearly made him spill the coffee he was holding.
‘Hang on,’ Ben said. ‘Firstly, I haven’t asked her out, it’s a business transaction—’
He’d broken off to glare as Vick had sniggered.
‘Okay, wait, that sounded bad.’ He’d tried again, ‘I’m only meeting her to swap clothes.’
Vick and Taz had dissolved into laughter, and Ben, shaking his head, had given up trying to explain and instead had finished weakly, ‘Yeah, well, anyway, I’m meeting her later.’
The teasing had continued for the rest of the shift, only stopping when Ben threatened to leave Taz stranded at the top of the practice tower. But now, as they were getting ready to go home, Taz tried again to get Ben talking.
‘So what time are you meeting your date then?’
Ben lifted a hand to wave goodbye to the other crew members as he and Taz stepped out into the morning light.
‘I told you, it’s not a date!’ he said indignantly, before adding sheepishly, ‘Three o’clock.’
‘Well, whatever it is, have a good time, okay?’ Taz raised a questioning eyebrow at him.
Ben nodded. ‘I’ll let you know how it goes. But I’m off to get some sleep first.’