Disclaimer: All characters belong to HiT Entertainment.

Chapter 1 – Coming Home

Summer 1987

Late one morning, Trevor Evans was driving his bus from Newtown to Pontypandy. On board, the only passenger was a casually dressed, sombre-looking young eighteen-year-old man with reddish-brown hair. Trevor glanced at his passenger in his rear-view mirror.

"Glad to be going home then, young Sam?"

The young man took a moment to respond. "That's not an easy question to answer, Mr Evans…"

"Oh. Sorry. I didn't realise you hadn't fully accepted your parents' death yet. But you don't need to be so formal with me anymore, now that you're an adult. You can call me, Trevor."

Sam didn't respond, but he did drop his gaze to try and hide his tears. It had only been two weeks since his parents had died in a tragic boating accident while out at sea in Pontypandy Bay. The fishing boat had caught fire, and the resulting explosion from a gas canister had killed them before they could be rescued. Ironically, Sam had just spent the last year training at the specialised firefighting academy in Cardiff, and he was now a fully qualified fireman. Having graduated at the top of his class, he'd been expecting to be assigned to the fire station in Cardiff, but his parents' sudden death had changed everything. Out of compassion, the Chief Fire Officer had decided to assign Sam to the fire station in his hometown of Pontypandy. So far, only Sam, the Chief Fire Officer and the Pontypandy Station Officer, Boyce, knew about Sam's assigned posting. Everyone else had been told that Sam was returning home for a holiday with his family, before taking up his new posting.

But a holiday was the last thing Sam wanted. He was excited about becoming a professional fireman, and despite everything that had happened in the past few weeks, he couldn't wait to get started.

"At least they got to see me graduate," Sam muttered to himself. Staring out of the window, he saw his hometown appear on the horizon in the distance.

"What are you planning to do on your holiday then, Sam?" Trevor asked. He didn't like Sam's quietness. It was very uncharacteristic from the Sam he'd known a year earlier. Sam and his older brother, Charlie, had been the village terrors. They'd always been getting up to mischief with the townsfolk, but most of the time, their escapades hadn't resulted in anything disastrous. They'd just been more of a nuisance, really.

"Nothing much," Sam replied with a small sigh. "I just want to spend some time with Charlie, Bronwyn and the twins. They're the only family I have left now."

Trevor sighed. He was naturally a very cheerful man, even in the face of danger, so Sam's depressed mood was really starting to irritate him.

"The twins sure have grown!" Trevor continued. "And with you and Charlie back together, I think I'll put the local fire brigade on standby…"

Sam had to chuckle, despite himself. "Don't worry, Trevor. I put out fires now."

"That wasn't quite what I was referring to…"

"Oh, you mean that incident that occurred two summers ago, when Charlie and I got stuck up in that tree?"

"When did that happen? I must've missed it."

Sam waved his hand dismissively. "I'll tell you another time. But I can promise you that you don't have to worry about me getting into trouble anymore."

"That'll be the day," Trevor muttered under his breath.

Trevor's bus entered Pontypandy then. Sam looked around at all the familiar landmarks as Trevor drove towards the quay. It was strangely quiet. With a heavy heart, Sam gathered up his belongings. As soon as Trevor stopped the bus near the corner, Sam disembarked.

"Thank you, Trevor," he said softly.

"No problem, Sam," Trevor replied. "Take care, now."

Sam waited until Trevor had driven away, before he headed over to the Wholefish Café, where his brother lived with his young family. It was also the house he and Charlie had spent their teenage years growing up in, with their parents. Sam sighed sadly just before he entered the café. Bronwyn, his sister-in-law, looked up from the counter. She squealed as soon as she saw Sam.

"Sam! You're home at last! Oh! Charlie! Sam's here!"

"Where are the twins?" Sam asked as he placed his bag down on a nearby table.

"They're out playing with Norman Price," Bronwyn replied.

Sam was confused. "Who?"

"Oh! He's a new boy in town. His mother took over the grocery store about two months ago. I must've forgotten to tell you. Sorry."

"That's okay, Bronwyn. It's not important. I'll catch up with the twins later."

At that moment, Charlie came downstairs. "Sam!" he exclaimed as he threw his arms around his younger brother. "Thank goodness you're home at last!"

The two brothers hugged each other tightly for a moment. Finally, with tears streaming down their cheeks, they separated.

"I just can't believe it happened," Sam whispered.

"Me either," Charlie sniffled. "The fire brigade did everything they could, but without a boat of their own, there was little they could do in a hurry."

Sam was surprised. "Don't tell me the fire service here don't even have their own patrol boat yet?"

"This isn't Cardiff, Sam. We don't have all those fancy, modern toys you've been playing with for the past year."

"They're not toys, Charlie," Sam protested. Then he sighed in defeat. "Never mind. Talking about what could've been done won't bring them back."

Charlie placed a hand on Sam's shoulder. "Sorry, Sam. You're right. Why don't I show you upstairs so you can get settled?"

"Okay. Thanks."

…

Later that afternoon, Sam was wondering around the streets of Pontypandy, taking in all the changes that had happened during his time away. Being a small coastal town, not much had changed, but he was very glad of that.

Sam was just making his way home, when he heard some wheels rapidly approaching behind him. Turning, he saw a small red-headed boy on a yellow skateboard coming down the hill towards him. Sam managed to leap out of the way just in time.

"Hey!" Sam exclaimed.

"Sorry, Mister!" the boy yelled as he skated on past.

Sam was just about to continue on his way, when he heard running footsteps approaching. He smiled when he saw his twin niece and nephew, Sarah and James, running down the middle of the road.

"Norman! Wait for us!" James shouted.

At that moment, Sam heard an engine approaching as well. "Sarah! James! Get off the road, now!"

Sarah and James froze in confusion. Instinctively, Sam dashed across the road, grabbing Sarah and James and pulling them out of the way, just as Trevor's bus rounded the corner. Trevor braked hard.

"Is everyone okay?" Trevor asked with concern once his bus had come to a stop.

"I think so," Sam replied. "Sorry, Mr Evans…er…Trevor. I'll make sure they don't do it again."

Nodding, Trevor drove off. Sam turned on his niece and nephew. "Sarah and James! Your parents have told you countless times not to play in the middle of the street, so why do you keep on doing it?"

"Sorry, Uncle Sam," Sarah whimpered.

"We forgot," James added sadly.

Sam took his niece and nephew firmly by the hand. "Well, perhaps you won't forget in future. Roads are not playgrounds. You're just lucky that I happened to be here. Now, why don't I take you home for lunch?"

The twins happily agreed. "When did you get back, Uncle Sam?" James wondered.

"Not too long ago, actually."

"Mum said you were coming here on holiday," Sarah said.

"That's right, Sarah."

"So, how long will you be staying?"

"I'm not sure yet," Sam replied sadly.

"Is that because grandma and grandad died?" James asked.

A lump caught in Sam's throat. "Perhaps. Come on. I'm starving!"

…

During lunch, the phone rang. Bronwyn answered it. "Sam? It's Station Officer Boyce. He wants to talk to you."

Sam took a deep breath before he took the phone from Bronwyn. "Yes, sir?"

"Fireman Jones? I heard that you'd arrived in town this morning. Would you mind coming around to my place for afternoon tea? We have some things we need to discuss."

"Of course, sir. Can you give me the time and address, please?"

A moment later, Sam hung up the phone.

"So, what did he want?" Charlie asked.

"Nothing. He…uh… He just wanted to congratulate me on my graduation from the academy."

Charlie and Bronwyn didn't look convinced, but they decided not to push. "How about coming out on the boat with me this afternoon, Sam? I'm sure you're longing to be at sea again after spending a year on dry ground."

"Actually, I did do quite a lot of ocean rescue training at the academy," Sam replied. "But I'm afraid I have other plans for this afternoon."

"Can we go with you, please dad?" James begged.

"Yes, please, dad?" Sarah added.

"Not today, kids. You're still too young to come out to sea with me. Never mind, Sam. We can go fishing another day. It'll be just like old times."

Sam immediately looked sad again. "No, I'm afraid it won't be like old times, Charlie. And it never will be again!" And with that, Sam ran upstairs.

"Oh, dear!" Bronwyn said.

"What's wrong with Uncle Sam?" Sarah asked.

"He's still very upset by your grandparents' deaths," Bronwyn answered. "I think the fact that he missed the funeral hasn't helped him accept it. He hasn't had the closure that we've had."

"Should I go and talk to him?" Charlie wondered.

"No. Just give him some space for now, please, Charlie. I'm sure he'll come around in his own time."

…

Shortly before three o'clock, Sam arrived at Station Officer Boyce's house. He took a deep breath before ringing the bell. A moment later, Station Officer Boyce answered the door.

"Hello, Fireman Jones. Please, come in and make yourself comfortable."

"Thank you, sir," Sam replied as he entered the house.

A few minutes later, they were both settled in the kitchen with cups of tea and biscuits. Station Officer Boyce placed Sam's personnel file down on the kitchen table. Sam paused when he saw it.

"I must say, I'm rather impressed with your record from the Cardiff Fire Academy, Sam," Station Officer Boyce said as he opened the file. "A hundred percent on your final exam… You have advanced qualifications and licences to drive multiple vehicles, including large vehicles… And you passed your wilderness survival tests with flying colours. Seems a bit unbelievable for a trainee." He looked squarely at Sam, waiting for an explanation.

"I'm fully dedicated to my career, sir," Sam replied. "And, it's not too hard to pass exams when you spend all of your spare time studying and training."

"Yes, that would help, I suppose… But what I can't understand is why HQ would send someone with your apparent skills to a small coastal village like Pontypandy. They usually keep the best graduates for themselves."

"This is my hometown, sir. It made sense for me to be assigned here. I know the area around Pontypandy better than most locals, thanks to my many childhood adventures. Or, as some around here might say, misadventures."

"I see. Well, I would like to see you in action before I'll be completely happy with your assignment to us. Luckily for you, I can't argue with HQ's decisions. I have just one question to ask you."

"Yes, sir?"

"Why did you decide to become a fireman? I'm only asking because I know you come from a sea-faring family. It seems very strange for you to turn your back on that in favour of firefighting."

Sam paled slightly and he drew in a deep breath. "I'm not sure I can tell you that, sir. It might put my job here in jeopardy."

"In that case, you'd better tell me, Sam."

Sam slowly put down his cup of tea. "Very well then, sir. But only if you promise that what I'm about to say never leaves this room. And that my future colleagues never come to hear of it either."

"Sounds serious."

"It is, sir, and that's why I need you to promise."

"Very well then, Sam," Station Officer Boyce reluctantly agreed. "I promise."

"Okay. About ten years ago, there was a massive house fire down on the coast road."

"Hmm… I think that happened when I was on my annual holiday."

"Yes… Well, it was my family's home that burned down." Sam stood up and he went over to the window, so he wouldn't have to look at Station Officer Boyce when he next spoke. "I was about eight years old at the time. My brother, Charlie, was twelve. The fire started in my bedroom. My parents and Charlie made it out before the fire got too fierce, but I was trapped in my bedroom. I was sure I was going to die that night. Then, Fireman Steele burst into my room and he threw a blanket around me. Since I couldn't see anything because of that blanket, I don't know how he managed to get us out as the house collapsed around us, but he did. Unfortunately, the fire spread to the neighbour's house, and that burned down too. But that wasn't all…"

Station Officer Boyce waited patiently for Sam to continue. Sam wiped a tear away from his eyes.

"When the fire had been extinguished, they found that elderly Mr Johnston, our neighbour, hadn't been able to make it out. Everyone thought he was staying with his sister at the time, but he must've changed his mind at the last minute." Sam drew in another deep breath. "They never officially found the cause of the fire, but I know exactly how it started, and I've never told anyone else. Even Charlie doesn't know, and if I have my way, he never will."

Sam turned around to face Station Officer Boyce. A look of remorse filled his face.

"I started the fire. Dad had said we could go camping that weekend, and I wanted to see if I could build a proper campfire all by myself. He left the matches on the kitchen table, and, well… I think you can guess what happened next." Sam looked dejectedly down at the floor. "I owe my life to Fireman Steele, and I swore that night that I would devote my entire life to saving the lives of others, just like he'd saved mine. It would be a tremendous honour for me to work alongside the man who saved my life, even if he doesn't remember me, or that terrible night."

Station Officer Boyce stood up, and he placed both of his hands on Sam's shoulders. "And you will, Fireman Jones. You were just a child then, and everyone makes mistakes. The difference here is that you learned from yours immediately, and now you're ready to make amends for it. And, you were also extremely brave admitting to me what you've just told me. If I was a nasty man, I would tear up your contract here and now. But, luckily, I'm not, and I firmly believe in giving everyone a second chance. You have this wonderful opportunity to redeem yourself, and I know you won't let me down. Your record from the academy tells me that."

"Thank you, sir," Sam whispered in amazement.

"Good. Now, tomorrow, I will be announcing my promotion to the Newtown Fire Service in front of the entire town. I will also be announcing the new Station Officer, and you too, of course. But I'd like to keep your assignment to our fire brigade a secret until the last moment. To ensure that, I want you to slip away from the ceremony as soon as you can, and hide inside the station. Your new uniforms are already inside a locker at the back of the station, behind the kitchen, but you'll have to change into the uniform quickly. Then, when you hear me announce you, you can come outside and fall into line beside Fireman Criddlington. That should surprise everyone."

"Understood, sir. And… Thank you for giving me a chance."

Station Officer Boyce held out his hand, and Sam shook it. "You're welcome, Fireman Jones."

"Uh, sir? Um, I'd rather not be called 'Fireman Jones'. It makes me sound old, and I'm barely an adult. I'd be much happier if everyone just called me, Fireman Sam."

"Of course, Fireman Sam," Station Officer Boyce smiled. "I'll try to remember that tomorrow."

"Thanks again, sir. I'll see you tomorrow then."

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