Chapter 8
"Sam? Sam, wake up. You've got another visitor."
Groaning with annoyance at having been awakened from my sleep, I reluctantly opened my eyes. At first, I had to squint because of the bright overhead lights, but the nurse kindly dimmed them for me. Chief Fire Officer Boyce was standing beside my bed, holding a pizza box. The fragrance of the freshly cooked pizza caused my stomach rumbled hungrily.
"Sounds like I arrived right on time," Chief Fire Officer Boyce quipped. "I thought you'd appreciate something more satisfying than hospital food. Your doctor said it was fine for you to have pizza for dinner tonight. He's really happy with your progress so far."
Smiling, I carefully sat up. "Thank you, sir."
"Pepperoni is your favourite, right?"
"Yes, but I'm hungry enough to eat anything right now."
"Really? You were completely out of it when I came in here, so I asked a nurse to wake you. I thought you were a light sleeper?"
"Normally, I am. I think the painkiller medication they've got me on is making me drowsy."
Boyce nodded in understanding. He placed the pizza box down on my food tray, and he wheeled the tray across my bed. I immediately opened the box, and I began devouring the pizza. Boyce sat down in the chair beside my bed.
"Would you like a slice?" I offered.
"No thanks. It's all for you. I'll have my dinner when I get back to the station. But that wasn't the only reason why I've come to see you."
"Oh?"
"The SCIU came to see me again earlier this afternoon, after they'd interviewed you."
I paused eating for a moment. "What did they want?"
"They wanted to see your service record."
"Why?"
"I'm not sure, but it's standard practice for them to investigate everything. However, I have a feeling that they're going to try and blame you for the accident."
I paled, and I immediately lost my appetite. "But, I don't remember what happened, so how can they blame me for it?"
"They'll find a way to blame you if they can't put the blame on anything else. So, just in case they do, I've decided to appoint a fire service lawyer to you. His name is Mr Harrison, and he's coming here from London. I felt that a London lawyer would be better than someone from around here. After all, we don't want anyone to accuse us of any bias towards you. I'll bring him here to see you first thing tomorrow morning, so you can discuss everything. Hopefully, by then, you'll have remembered something else that may help your case."
But what if what I remember doesn't help? What if I really did make a mistake that caused my accident?
"Maybe it's best if I don't remember what happened," I muttered, and I sighed despondently.
Chief Fire Officer Boyce was about to say something, but then he changed his mind. "I think I'd better go now." He stood up. "I'll see you again in the morning. Enjoy the pizza."
"Thank you, sir."
After Chief Fire Office Boyce had gone, I turned on the TV, so that I could watch the news on S4C. It took me some time, but I did manage to finish my pizza. Dr Fisher came in to see me just as I finished it.
"Good evening, Sam. I'm just doing my evening rounds. How have you been since I saw you after lunch?"
I turned down the volume on the TV before I replied. "Not bad. I've been asleep ever since Charlie left, and then Chief Fire Officer Boyce came to see me. He asked a nurse to wake me."
Dr Fisher glanced at the TV, to see what I'd been watching. "S4C? I didn't know you could speak Welsh."
"I'm fluent," I explained.
Dr Fisher was surprised. "Really? That's unusual for someone your age."
"My grandfather was a proud Welshman. He taught me Welsh before I even went to school."
"I wish I had been so lucky." Dr Fisher looked at my chart. "Hmm… At the rate you're going, Sam, you should be able to go home in two or three days."
"Really? But I still get tired quickly. I haven't even left this room since I arrived."
"I'm sure you'll regain your strength quickly once you get home," Dr Fisher assured me. "Being back in familiar surroundings should help to improve your spirits too. Hospitals can be quite depressing for patients."
I nodded in agreement. "I really would like to go home as soon as possible. I have been feeling a little bit homesick."
"I've noticed. I've been a doctor for over ten years, so I can tell when someone is homesick." Seeing my empty pizza box, Dr Fisher kindly placed it in the bin for me. "At least your appetite is healthy. That's usually the first thing to be affected by homesickness. I'd better keep going. Have a good night's sleep. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Thank you."
After Dr Fisher had left my room, I turned the TV volume back up to an acceptable level. The news had finished by now, and a comedy-drama show was on, so I settled back to watch it.
…
It was about six-thirty by the time Chief Fire Officer Boyce arrived back at the Newtown Fire Station. He was about to head upstairs to his office, when he was stopped by the Station Officer.
"Sir, a Mr Harrison has arrived from London. He's waiting for you in your office."
"Thank you. Can you have some tea sent up to us?"
"Of course, sir."
"And please ensure my dinner is ready in about fifteen minutes."
"Yes, sir."
Boyce hurried upstairs, just as the alarm went off.
"Rubbish bin fire behind a townhouse on Llewelyn Street!" one of the firemen announced over the loudspeakers. "Pumper only!"
Some of the firefighters grumbled a bit before returning to their jobs, while others continued hurrying downstairs to the appliance bay. Boyce entered his office. Mr Harrison stood up.
"Chief Fire Officer Boyce?"
"Yes. And I presume that you're Mr Harrison."
They shook hands.
"I am. I hope you don't mind if I sit down?"
"Not at all." They both sat down on opposite sides of the desk. "I know you've had a lot of experience, Mr Harrison," Boyce began, "which is why I specifically requested for you to handle this case. I just hope that you won't be needed."
"I understand. But you haven't told me anything yet. I don't even know my client's name."
"It's Leading Fireman Sam Jones."
"Never heard of him."
"He's very famous in these parts, and in the fire service in general. In fact, he's often called a hero because of his, sometimes unorthodox, firefighting and rescue methods."
"Has he been in the service for long?"
"Almost thirty years, if you don't include his time as a Fire Cadet."
"So, he's a career officer then. Why is he still a leading fireman?"
Boyce chuckled. "That's something you'll have to ask him. We've offered him numerous promotions over the years, but he's always turned them down. I think he wants to stay on the front line for as long as possible."
Mr Harrison leaned forward a little. "He sounds like an interesting man."
"He is. Sam has the respect of his fellow officers, and I will do anything I possibly can to prevent him from being sacked."
Mr Harrison took out his notebook. "Tell me the facts and details that you know about the accident. I need to know everything."
"Sam was here all day, over at the academy next door, for some advanced winter training with some other leading firefighters. I became indisposed halfway through the training, due to a minor accident. Assistant Chief Fire Officer Hughes took over the training. He gave me a glowing report on Sam. I can show it to you, if you like?"
"Later. What happened next?"
"I believe that Sam was the first leading firefighter to leave after training. I was at home later that evening, recovering from my accident, when Sam's Station Officer, Norris Steele, phoned me. He told me that Sam had crashed Pontypandy's fire service quadbike on his way home, and he'd been taken to Newtown Hospital. His condition was unknown at the time. I didn't find out until the following morning exactly what injuries he had."
"What were his injuries?"
"The worst is a broken forearm, and a dislocated shoulder. Minor injuries include concussion and post-traumatic amnesia. He cannot remember the accident at all. I saw him in the hospital just before I came here. In fact, I took him some pizza after gaining his doctor's permission. Sam is a lot more alert now, and his doctor is sure he'll be able to go home soon."
"That's good," Mr Harrison said. He paused his notetaking. "The post-traumatic amnesia is a concern though. What sort of man is Sam? What's his personality like?"
"He's introverted, especially around strangers. He is very humble too. You might find it a challenge to get him to talk about himself, but I'm sure he will do his best to co-operate with you."
"I see. Does he have any family?"
"Only his brother, sister-in-law, father-in-law, niece and nephew. His brother is the best person to talk to if you want to know more about Sam's off-duty activities."
"I'll be sure to get in touch with him then. When can I see Sam?"
"Tomorrow morning. I've already cleared it with his doctor."
"Excellent. Well, I'll head back to my hotel now. Shall I meet you back here tomorrow morning?"
"Yes. Nine o'clock would be best. We can go straight to the hospital from here. I'll show you out."
"Thank you. Have a good evening."
"You too."
…
A cold wind whipped around me as I drove Mercury up the driveway to the Newtown Fire Academy. I parked her just inside the stone wall next to the iron gate, and I removed my quadbike helmet. Chief Fire Officer Boyce was walking across the snow-covered yard, and he waved when he saw me.
"Good morning, sir," I called.
"Morning, Fireman Sam. We're meeting in the common room, which is just over there." And he pointed to the end room on the bottom floor of the main training building.
After I'd removed my firefighting helmet from Mercury's locker, I made my way over to the common room. It was nice and warm inside, with plenty of sofas to sit on, a TV and a small kitchenette. There were five other leading firefighters in there, from the various fire stations in the district. Although our uniforms were pretty much the same, the logos on them were different, so that it was easy to see which fire station we belonged to.
"Well, look who's decided to show up," Adam Smith sneered. "The legendary Fireman Sam. I'm surprised you even need to be here, considering how you're so much better at doing your job that we are."
"Stop it, Adam," Leading Firefighter Alice Williams scolded. "You're just jealous that you're not famous like Sam."
I held up my hands. "That's enough. You know I'm just like the rest of you."
"Hardly!" young Colin Forsythe exclaimed. "I can't believe I get to train with you today, let alone meet you! You're a living legend at my fire station!"
"Calm down, Colin," my friend, Ryan Davies said. He gave me a friendly nudge with his elbow. "He's only just qualified as a leading fireman. Guess us 'oldies' will have to show him a thing or two, eh?"
"I'm here to learn too, you know," I said. "I'm not a hero, no matter what you all say, and I need the training just as much as you do."
"You're still a hero, whether you like it or not, Sam," Scott Driscoll told me firmly.
The door slammed closed behind me. "And, regardless of your heroic status, Sam, today I am going to be as hard on you as I am on all the other leading firefighters," Chief Fire Officer Boyce said sternly from behind me. "There'll be no special treatment for any of you."
Turning, I smiled at him. "I don't expect any special treatment either, sir."
"Right, firefighters," Chief Fire Officer Boyce said, addressing everyone in the room. "Before we do any training exercises, I want you all to do some warm-up exercises and stretches for ten minutes in the yard. But don't overstrain yourselves, understood?"
"Yes, sir!" we all replied in unison.
"Right, then. Off you go."
The six of us headed outside, and we began to go through our own personal warm-up exercises. I did mine alongside Ryan, so we could talk.
"How are things going for you in Pontypandy, Sam?" Ryan asked.
"Quite well. I'm always busy. Life's never dull in Pontypandy, you know. How are things going for you in St Daffyd?"
"Too quiet. I'm thinking of transferring somewhere else, preferably somewhere that sees a lot more action. Are there any vacancies in Pontypandy?"
"You'll have to ask Chief Fire Officer Boyce about that. I really couldn't tell you. But, maybe you could consider transferring to Cardiff? I really enjoyed my time there, and they're always needing good firefighters in the city."
"I might just do that. Thanks, Sam!"
"More stretching, and less chatting you two!" Chief Fire Officer Boyce shouted at us through a megaphone.
"He never changes," I said quietly.
Chuckling, Ryan and I continued warming up.
…
The sound of curtains being drawn open woke me, and the comforting memories from my flashback dream faded away. Disappointed, I let out a sigh before I opened my eyes.
"Good morning," the nurse said cheerfully. "Nurse Gilbertson has just gone off-duty, and Nurse Jenkins is having a day off, so I'll be looking after you today. Now, what would you like for breakfast?"
"Fruit salad, apple and cinnamon flavoured porridge, and orange juice, please."
"No worries. I'll be back shortly."
A few minutes later, the nurse returned with my breakfast. I ate it while she changed my I.V. bag to a new one. Then, Dr Fisher arrived.
"Morning, Sam. How are you today?"
"I'm feeling a bit stronger. And… I've remembered some more of what happened to me on the day of the accident."
Dr Fisher raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Is it coming back to you in your dreams?"
I nodded. "I don't normally have dreams, which is why I've been able to recall what happens in them when I'm awake. I now remember clearly why I was here in Newtown on the day of my accident. I was undergoing winter training exercises at the Fire Academy."
Dr Fisher frowned thoughtfully. "I'd like to do some tests on you tomorrow, before I decide when I'll release you. I don't have the time to do anything today, but I'd like to take another x-ray of your arm and do a full MRI scan on your brain. Hopefully, the contusion will have reduced by now. How's your shoulder feeling?"
"I don't know. I try not to move my left arm any more than I have to, and whatever painkiller you've been giving me is working well."
"I see. Well, I think it's time we started weaning you off the morphine, as of now. I'll take some scans of your shoulder tomorrow too." And he wrote that down on my chart. "Hopefully, if I can see that everything's healing nicely, I should be able to let you go home the day after tomorrow."
"I don't suppose I could go for a bit of a walk down the hallway today?" I asked Dr Fisher. "If it was summer, I'd be begging to go outside."
"I don't see why not," Dr Fisher agreed. "It'll be good for you to start moving around again. But, only if you have a nurse accompany you, just in case."
"In case of what?"
"In case you suddenly feel dizzy and collapse. Or, in case you feel too tired to make it back to your room."
I nodded thoughtfully in agreement. Someone knocked on the open door. It was Chief Fire Officer Boyce.
"May I come in?"
"Of course," Dr Fisher replied. "I was just about to leave anyway. I'll come back and check on you again later, Sam. Don't forget what I said about the walk."
Dr Fisher left my room and the nurse came in to clear away my breakfast dishes. After she'd gone, Chief Fire Officer Boyce came over to me.
"Perhaps I should've brought you some breakfast this morning as well as the dinner last night," he teased. "I don't envy you eating hospital food."
"It's better than nothing," I told him.
"Are you sure about that?"
I shrugged my right shoulder. "Is the lawyer here?"
"He is. He's just outside. I asked him to wait so that I could make sure you're ready to see him. Try and answer all of his questions. He'll take good care of you if this ends up going before a disciplinary hearing."
I drew in a short breath. "Do you really think it'll go that far?"
"It's possible. I don't know what the SCIU has uncovered in their investigation, but if they're focusing on you, they obviously suspect or believe that you were at fault for the accident."
I immediately felt sick with worry. "I've never been called before a disciplinary hearing before. The worst I've ever had was being yelled at, and being made to clean the appliances."
"Don't worry, Sam. I'm sure we'll be able to sort this out quickly, before it gets to the next stage. I'd better ask Mr Harrison to come in."
Chief Fire Officer Boyce went over to the doorway, and he asked Mr Harrison to come in. Mr Harrison was middle-aged, with slightly greying brown hair, and a stocky build.
"Hello there, Sam," the lawyer said kindly. "I'm Mr Harrison, but you may call me Alex." He sat down in the seat beside my bed.
Chief Fire Officer Boyce closed the door, and he went and sat down in the nook. I watched as Mr Harrison took out a notebook and pen.
"Today, I just want to have a quick chat with you, and we can go from there, all right?" Mr Harrison began. "Now, I may sound like a psychiatrist sometimes, but I do that, so I can figure out how you think and behave. That may influence what happens at your disciplinary hearing, if this case ever gets that far."
"Do you think it will?" I asked quietly.
"I couldn't possibly say, because I don't know what the SCIU have uncovered. And, to be honest, I don't know the first thing about you. But that's good, because it means that my judgement won't be clouded by rumours. All I really know about you is your full name, and that you're the leading foreman in the Pontypandy brigade. So, why don't you tell me a bit about yourself?"
I swallowed nervously. "There's not all that much to tell."
Mr Harrison waited for me to continue, but I didn't. I didn't like people outside of my immediate family knowing about my private life. There were just some things I didn't want people to know.
I saw Mr Harrison glance at Chief Fire Officer Boyce. The latter came over to the foot of my bed.
"Why don't you tell Mr Harrison about your career, Sam?" he prompted.
I remained silent, since I didn't know what to say.
"Well, where did you do your basic training?" Mr Harrison asked. "Was it in London?"
"No, Cardiff."
"Cardiff? That must have been exciting for you. Why didn't you stay there?"
"I was transferred shortly after I became leading fireman."
"Where were you transferred to?"
"Pontypandy. I've been there ever since."
"You were transferred to your hometown just like that? That is very unusual. Did you specifically request that transfer?"
"No."
"So, it was pure coincidence, was it?"
"Not exactly." I turned my head to look out of the window as the painful memories I'd suppressed for years started to surface. With my right hand, I wiped a tear away from my eye. Please, don't bring that up! I don't want to think about that now.
"Perhaps we should focus on the accident now?" Chief Fire Officer Boyce suggested. I knew that he was well aware of the reason for my sudden distress.
"Good idea," Mr Harrison agreed. "Sam, do you remember anything about the accident?"
I shook my head without looking at him.
"Were you speeding, or driving recklessly perhaps?"
I snapped my head back in his direction. "I don't know, but I can't imagine that I would ever do anything like that. I've always been a careful driver."
"What about when you're on your way to an emergency?"
"I have to speed then, of course, but always within reason."
"Were you on your way to an emergency when the accident occurred?"
I rested my head in my right hand, and I thought hard for a moment. Outside, I heard an ambulance siren wailing as it arrived at the emergency department. I waited until it had quietened down before I spoke again. "I don't know."
Mr Harrison sighed heavily before he stood up. "I think I'll head down to the police station to request copies of the witness statements. Perhaps they might reveal something."
"And I think I'd better leave as well," Boyce added. He gently placed a hand on my right shoulder. "Will you be okay, or should I send a nurse in?"
"Please, just go," I whispered. I knew they could see how increasingly distressed I was becoming, so I hoped they'd leave quickly. They did.
As soon as Chief Fire Officer Boyce and Mr Harrison had gone, I burst into tears.
