Page 9 of Forget me Knot
“Catch you later, Lily!” Sonya calls as she climbs into the van.
I wave her off, and with Sonya gone and Jack still occupied outside, I take a moment to enjoy the quiet ambience of my shop. The light filtering through the windows bathes everything in a warm glow, and the gentle hum of bees outside adds to the tranquillity.
Chapter 6
Sam
“You know, Mrs Harris. You don’t have to ring 999 every time Bobsie gets stuck up a tree,” I say, handing the ninety-year-old lady her cat back. He hisses at me, and I glare at him. Ungrateful feline. “I’ve given you my mobile number. Just ring me next time, okay?”
She pats my arm with a surprisingly firm hand, her eyes twinkling behind her spectacles. “Oh, Sam, you’re a darling. I promise I’ll call you next time. Bobsie just loves the attention.”
I smile as I watch her toddle back inside with Bobsie cradled in her arms. “Stay safe, Mrs Harris.”
The fire station is only a short walk from here, situated on the opposite side of Keeley than Noletown, in the town of Loughing. I knew as soon as I saw the address for the “emergency” that it would be Mrs Harris and her cat, so I cancelled the callout and went by myself.
I decide to take the scenic route back through the park. It’s a beautiful summer day, and it’s nice to clear my head for a bit. As I stroll past the pond, I think about Lily Bloom. She’s been in my thoughts a lot lately. Seeing her standing hand-in-hand with Jack yesterday triggered something in me I have thus far beentrying to avoid. I know my best mate is in love with her. Who wouldn’t be? She is gorgeous, sweet, kind and caring, but lately, her scent, lingering on Jack enough for me to pick it up, has been taunting me. But now, that taunting has turned into a full blown lust where I want to march into her flower shop and ravaged her on a bed of rose petals.
Is that cringe? I don’t care. That’s what I want to do.
I continue wandering through the park, trying to shake off the vivid mental image that has now firmly rooted itself in my brain.
By the time I get back to the fire station, I’ve managed to push thoughts of Lily and Jack to the back of my mind. There are chores to do, equipment to check, and a new rookie that needs wrangling into shape.
As soon as I walk in, I know a call has just come in. The station is a hive of activity. I head straight to my locker to gear up. “What’s the call?”
“Abandoned warehouse fire on Brook Street, Noletown,” Greg, my second, says, his face tight with urgency. “We need to move, Sam.”
I nod, adrenaline already starting to course through my veins. The familiar routine of gearing up—pulling on my heavy coat, fastening my helmet —keeps me steady. The smell of smoke is faintly present even here in the station, a reminder of what awaits us.
The next few minutes are a blur of movement and noise as we rush to the scene. The fire engine roars down the main road, sirens wailing. As we pull up to the warehouse, flames are licking out of the windows, and smoke billows into the sky. It’s bad.
“Let’s go!” I shout, and we spring into action.
I hit the ground running. We work in tandem; years of training have turned us into a well-oiled machine. But then Ihear something that makes my blood run cold: a scream from inside.
“There’s someone in there!” Greg yells over the roar of the fire.
Without another word, I steel myself and push through the doors, Greg behind me. The heat is intense, almost unbearable, as I navigate through the thick smoke. Every step is a fight against instinct, screaming at me to turn back.
Seeing the couple running towards me, I grab the woman as Greg grabs the guy and we drag them towards the exit.
We burst out of the building just as a part of the roof collapses behind us, sending a shower of sparks into the air.
The woman is wheezing, but she’s alive, and she clutches my arm with a desperate grip. “Thank you,” she rasps out between coughs. It’s clear from her attire that she is homeless, along with her friend.
“You’re going to be alright,” I assure her before turning to see how Greg is faring with the man.
Greg has laid him out and is already checking him for injuries. I glance up and see more firefighters hosing the blaze, working tirelessly to contain it.
“We need medics over here!” I shout.
Within moments, the paramedics that arrived while we were inside are taking over.
Greg looks at me, his face sweat streaked. “Good job in there, Sam.”
“You too,” I reply, smacking him on the shoulder.
As we make our way back to our team, my mind wanders back to Lily Bloom again. Damn it, why does she keep popping into my head at times like this? Maybe it’s because after facing something like this fire—something that could take everything from you—life feels more precious. And Lily, as much as I’mtrying to fight it, she’s a big part of what makes life feel precious right now.
