Disclaimer: All recognisable characters belong to HiT Entertainment. All OCs and original story ideas belong to me.

Chapter 30

A few weeks later – September 1985

The strains of the hit song, 'Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" filled my car as I drove along the M4 towards Cardiff. Carried away by the music, I drummed my fingers on the steering wheel in time with the beat.

I was finally on my way to the Cardiff Fire Academy to begin my training. Although I wasn't quite over grandad's death yet, I had been somewhat comforted by the autopsy results. He had died from a sudden stroke. Everyone had reassured me the it had happened so quickly, he would've died peacefully without knowing what was happening to him.

As for my inheritance, after consulting with my parents, Charlie and the lawyer, Mr Thorne, I'd decided to sell grandad's Cardiff house and put the money in my trust account so it would gain interest. I hoped to use the money to purchase a house of my own one day. The house had just gone on the market, so I wasn't expecting to hear anything for a few weeks at least.

The song ended as I exited the M4 at Cardiff Gate. I turned off the radio so I could concentrate on finding my way to the fire academy. I knew it wasn't too far from the exit, and sure enough, I soon saw a large complex off to my left with a sign saying 'SWFRS – Cardiff Fire Training Academy' near the front gate.

After I'd parked my car in the visitor's carpark, I carried my file of documents over to the administration building. Since I was wearing casual clothes, I felt a bit out of place when I saw that most of the people that I passed were wearing dress uniforms.

Inside the administration building, I went straight over to the desk where a pretty, brunette receptionist was sitting. She smiled as she looked up at me.

"Can I help you?"

"Yes, I'm here for the new recruitment course," I replied.

"I thought as much. May I have your name, please?"

"Jones. Samuel Jones."

The receptionist glanced through a sheet of names. "Jones, Samuel… Ah, yes! I've found you. Would you mind just signing next to your name on the roll here? That way we can confirm your arrival."

I gladly did so. The receptionist opened a drawer and she took out a key on a lanyard. She also placed a map and a folder filled with more documents down on the desk in front of me.

"Here's the key to your dormitory room. You're in room forty-seven on the first floor of the residence block. And here's a map, just in case you don't have one yet. You'll need this form to collect your uniforms, and this sheet contains a list of internal phone numbers that you can access if the need arises. It's just the numbers for the academy's medic, dean, chaplaincy and so on. Oh, and this is your library card. You'll need that to get your text books. Since you're here early, you have a few days to sort out which textbooks and workbooks you'll need to borrow or purchase. If you have any further questions, you'll have to ask the Dean of Students, Sub-Officer Gooding. I'll phone him now to let you know that you've arrived."

"Thank you. Is there anywhere for me to park my car?"

"Yes, there's a carpark for students in an underground carpark underneath the residence block. Just look for the carpark number that corresponds with your room number. If you park in the wrong spot… Well, let's just say that some students have had very nasty pranks played on them, so stay alert."

I smiled as I picked up the pile of documents. "Don't worry. I've been a cadet at Cardiff Central for the past three years. I've got a few tricks up my sleeve now."

"Then, I'm sure you'll be fine. Good luck with the course. I hope you'll enjoy it here."

"Thank you, I'm sure I will."

I returned outside to my car, and I drove it around to the residence block. After I'd parked it in my allocated carpark, I took my suitcase out of the boot. Then, I headed upstairs to find my dormitory room.

When I'd found room forty-seven, I unlocked the door and I went inside. It wasn't a large room, but it was adequate for my needs. Along the right-hand wall was a single bed and a chest of drawers. To the left just inside the door was a cupboard, and in the left-hand wall was a door leading to the bathroom. Also along the left-hand wall was a desk with a lamp. Finally, in the centre of the wall opposite the door was a French window leading onto a small balcony that overlooked a small former airfield. I realised that the former airfield must be part of the training facilities.

I closed the door, and I set about unpacking my suitcase. Since I would be in uniform a lot from now on, I haven't brought many clothes. Just enough to get by for the occasional night out and my days off. I set a framed picture of my family, with grandad in it, on the desk, where I'd be able to see it every day.

"I'll make you proud of me, grandad," I told his photograph. Then, I gathered up the paperwork I needed, and I left my room.

By nightfall, I had collected my new uniforms and my textbooks, and I was trying to decide what I should wear for dinner in the mess hall. Before I could make up my mind, there was a knock on my door. When I opened it, I saw an officer standing there.

"Samuel Jones?"

"Yes?"

"I'm Sub-Officer Gooding, the Dean of Students. I've been trying to find you all day."

"Sorry," I apologised. "I found the library rather fascinating."

Sub-Officer Gooding chuckled. "Station Officer Michaels said that you were studious. Anyway, I'd like to formally welcome you to the Cardiff Fire Academy. I hope you've found your room comfortable?"

"I haven't spent much time in it yet, but so far I like it."

"Good. Well, put on your station uniform and come downstairs to the mess hall for dinner. You're to wear your station uniform at all times, except when you're on the parade ground or undergoing practical training."

"Thank you for explaining that. I'll be there shortly." I closed the door with a small sigh of relief. Sub-Officer Gooding had solved my problem for me. I picked up my station uniform, and I quickly changed into it.

…

Over the following few days, I started to settle into the academy. It took me a couple of days to find out exactly where everything was on the campus. Other students also moved in during those few days before classes began. Although there was a recreation hall on the academy where we could play table tennis, pool and various other games, I spent my time either in the gym or in the library, studying.

Finally, the first day of classes arrived. I woke up to my alarm at six a.m., and I went to have a shower and dress for the day. At five minutes to seven, I made my way downstairs to the parade ground in the middle of the quadrangle. I was wearing my dress uniform, as were all of the other recruits and the officers.

At precisely seven o'clock, the Station Officer blew a whistle loudly. "All right, everyone! Listen up! I want all of the new recruits to line up in alphabetical order on my left. Everyone else, fall in!"

I joined the twenty-nine other new recruits off to the far side of the quadrangle. Sub-Officer Gooding came over to us. He was carrying a clipboard.

"Right, when I call your surname, please stand where I indicate. Adams," he pointed to where the young man should stand. "Armstrong, Briggs, Davies… There's two of you, so you can decide where you want to stand. In the next row, I want Dawes, Edwards, Elliot, Evans and Grant. In the third row, I want Hughes… Oh dear! This always happens. We've got six Jones' again. If your surname is Jones, please step forward."

I took a step forward, as did five other recruits. Sub-Officer Gooding shook his head in amusement.

"I suppose they have the same problem in China, with half the population named Chen or Wang. Okay, I want you four to go in this row, and the other two can go in the row behind."

I joined the four other Jones' in the third row. Although I'd never learned how to do drill and march before, I naturally stood at ease until Sub-Officer Gooding had finished assigning our places to us.

As soon as we were ready, the Station Officer called us to attention. "First of all, welcome to the new term. Let's give a warm welcome to our newest recruits."

A spattering of applause filled the quadrangle for a moment.

"For the benefit of our new recruits, I'm Station Officer Harman. Although this is a training academy, it is also a working fire station. Our senior trainees will start attending major callouts this term as part of the final stage of their training, so please remember to keep all marked clearways clear at all times. And, just a reminder to everyone, hazing acts will not be tolerated on this campus. Anyone caught committing an act of hazing will be expelled. There is no excuse for such childish behaviour in this day-and-age. Now, let's begin our drill and march practice. The new recruits can watch today, but you'll be expected to join in tomorrow. Right, rank! About turn! By the left, quick march!"

At eight o'clock, I joined everyone in the mess hall for breakfast. After breakfast, I went upstairs to attend my first theory class. It was very basic, really, so I mostly let my mind wander. However, it did give me a chance to analyse my new training officer. His name was Sub-Officer Lees. He appeared to be quite strict initially, but I managed to detect a bit of a mischievous side to him. On my way out of the classroom after the class, I decided to test him by dropping a small, fake spider on his desk while he was packing up his papers. I had the satisfaction of hearing him gasp with fright as I went through the doorway.

…

By the end of my fourth week at the Cardiff Fire Academy, I'd settled in nicely, and I'd made a few new friends. My closest friend was another recruit named Jason Short. He was from the city of Bath in England and, like me, he'd been a Fire Cadet from the age of fifteen. He also enjoyed playing pranks on people, so we had a lot in common. However, he had one vice. He loved to drink in excess. Thanks to my mum's influence, I'd never been interested in touching alcohol, even though I'd occasionally seen my dad and grandad enjoying a beer after fishing. Due to the campus' strict rules, we were not permitted to have any alcohol on campus, and we certainly weren't allowed to report for training drunk, or we'd be expelled.

Despite the rules, Jason often tried to get me to go out drinking with him on Friday and Saturday nights, but I always managed to come up with an excuse not to go. That was, until the end of our fourth week. Jason came to my room at six o'clock on Saturday evening.

"Get your coat, Sam," he ordered as he barged into my room. "We're going to Clwb Ifor Bach tonight to hear a new band play."

Before I could think of an excuse not to go, Jason shoved my coat into my hands, and he pushed me out of my room, closing the door behind us.

"Did you want me to drive?" I finally managed to ask as we made our way downstairs to the carpark.

"Nah, I can manage."

"Jason, I really think I should drive," I insisted.

Jason unlocked his car and he got into the driver's seat. I reluctantly got into the front passenger seat and I put on the seatbelt. Jason started up his car, and we set off.

We arrived at the nightclub about fifteen minutes later. The loud music nearly deafened me as we entered the building. Jason led the way upstairs to the first floor and he went straight over to the bar.

"Two pints of your best beer," Jason told the bartender.

"Jason, I don't want to drink," I told him firmly.

"You're not much fun, are you?" Jason retorted. "I'll have yours then."

"I'll just have orange juice, please," I said to the bartender when he gave Jason the beers. He nodded and poured me a glass from the tap.

Jason and I went to sit down at a table. He gulped down his beer, while I sipped on my orange juice. As the band began to play a lively jive, Jason got up to dance with a girl that he merely grabbed from the table next to us. Disgusted by Jason's behaviour, I looked around the room. My eyes settled on a girl wearing a royal blue cocktail dress that was so short, I could almost see her underwear. She was getting settled at a nearby table with a group of friends. When she turned her head to face me, I gasped in surprise. It was Gwen!

I immediately picked up my glass of orange juice, and I went over to the table. Gwen still didn't know I was there, so I coughed to get her attention. She looked up at me, surprised.

"Sam? What on earth are you doing here?"

"I was going to ask you the same question," I replied as I set my orange juice down on the table. Then, I offered her my hand. "Shall we dance?"

Gwen happily took my hand, and I escorted her onto the dancefloor. We talked as we jived along with everyone else.

"What are you doing here in Cardiff?" I asked her.

"I'm working as a secretary in a bank," she replied. "Didn't anyone tell you?"

"No. How long have you been there?"

"I just started this week. Those girls with me are my housemates. We're all working at the same bank."

"I suppose you know where I'm living?"

"Yes, at the Fire Academy. Are you enjoying it there?"

"Yes. I'm going to start the driving course next week."

"So, you're going to start learning to drive the fire trucks?"

I nodded. "It's something I've always wanted to do."

"So, what are you doing here, in a nightclub? I know you don't drink."

"I was dragged here against my will by a friend."

"Some friend! He sounds like a bad influence on you."

"Yeah, I know. But we do get along well most of the time." I glanced over at Jason. He was gulping down another pint of beer. "I think I'd better get him out of here before he gets drunk. He's also doing the driving course on Monday, and he needs to be sober for it."

"I think that's a wise idea. Would you like to catch up again sometime soon?"

"We can. I only get weekends off training though."

"That's okay. I only get weekends free too. Would you like to meet up somewhere tomorrow afternoon? There's a nice seafood café down at the quay that'd I'd like to try."

"Sure, I'll be happy to meet you there," I agreed. "We'd better exchange phone numbers. Would you like me to pick you up?"

"That'd be nice. Would one o'clock be a good time for you to collect me?"

"Yes, that's perfect."

We returned to Gwen's table, where we exchanged phone numbers and addresses. We then bid each other goodnight, and I went to find Jason. I found him back at the bar, ordering another pint of beer.

"How many have you had?" I asked him.

"This is me fourth." Jason's voice was slightly slurred.

I tried to take the glass out of his hand. "You've had enough, Jason!"

"No, I's 'aven't!" Jason retorted. "Gimme me beer!"

I tried even harder to wrestle the glass from Jason's hand. The beer started spilling out, and that provoked Jason into anger. With a scream of rage, he pulled the glass out of my hands, and he slammed it down on the bar, shattering it into thousands of pieces. They rained down onto the floor, along with the rest of the beer. I felt some of the larger pieces of glass hit my lower left leg, but luckily, they bounced off my trousers.

Sensing everyone staring at us, I seized Jason by the arm, and I dragged him downstairs, and out of the nightclub. Once outside, I tried to take Jason's keys out of his pocket.

"No, Sham!" Jason slurred. "I'll drive."

I grabbed him by his shoulders. "Jason, listen to me! You're drunk! You can't drive."

Jason pushed me in the chest so hard that he winded me and I almost fell over. Before I could regain my composure, Jason got into his car and he drove away, leaving me standing alone on the footpath. With a heavy sigh, I started the long walk back to the Fire Academy.

…

It was almost eleven-thirty in the evening by the time I arrived back at the Fire Academy. Sub-Officer Gooding was waiting for me inside his office, which I had to pass to get to my room.

"Come in and sit down, Samuel," he said sternly.

As I entered the office, I saw Jason sitting in there with his head in his hands. I sat down on the chair beside him.

"Now, you two," Sub-Officer Gooding began as he closed the office door. He sat back down behind his desk before continuing. "I want a full report about what happened to you tonight. I've already had to bail Jason out of police custody, Samuel, so you'd better have a better explanation for being back here past curfew."

"Jason left me behind when he drove back here, sir, so I had to walk from downtown."

"I see. Why didn't you catch a bus?"

"Have you been on a bus on Saturday night?"

Sub-Officer Gooding slammed his fist down on the desk as he leapt to his feet. "I am NOT in the mood for back-chat, Samuel Jones! Anymore lip from you, and you'll be put on report!"

"Sorry, sir," I muttered humbly in reply. "I didn't think of catching a bus because I'm not familiar with their routes."

Sub-Officer Gooding sat back down, and he wrote down my answer. He then removed a brown cardboard box with a green label on the cover from his desk drawer, and he opened it. "How much alcohol did you have to drink tonight?"

"None, sir."

Sub-Officer Gooding took a plastic tube out of the box, and he attached a small plastic bag to it. "We'll see about that. Blow into this tube for ten seconds. I'll tell you when to start."

I stood up and I took the breathalyser from him. Sub-Officer Gooding looked at his watch. He nodded for me to start, so I drew in a big breath of air, and I started blowing into the tube.

"Okay, you're done," Sub-Officer Gooding said once the ten seconds had passed. He took the tube from me, and he looked at it. "Hmm… It seems you're telling the truth. You can go to bed now, Sam. I'll talk to you again tomorrow morning."

"Goodnight, sir," I whispered before I left the office.

…

Jason didn't appear for breakfast the following morning. Sub-Officer Gooding told me afterwards that Jason had been expelled due to his drink driving charge. That news made me realise just how close I'd come to being expelled, so for at least the following week, I was a model student to make up for allowing myself to get involved with Jason. I never saw him again after that Saturday night.