Disclaimer: All recognisable characters belong to HiT Entertainment. All OCs belong to me.

Please, DO NOT steal my stories or my ideas! Not only is it plagiarising, but it discourages me from writing more. Please, don't be the one to ruin the enjoyment for others.

Chapter 31

"Sam?" Sub-Officer Gooding called from the doorway of his office just as I was walking past. "Can you come into my office for a moment, please?"

I shifted the armful of books that I was carrying before I followed him inside the office. He closed the door behind me.

"We need to talk," Sub-Officer Gooding said.

I set my books down on Sub-Officer Gooding's desk, and I sat down. Sub-Officer Gooding sat down in his chair behind the desk.

"Some of your teachers have approached me over the past few days, voicing their concerns about your grades." He held up a recent test paper that I'd received a B minus on. "Normally, I wouldn't be concerned about a grade like that, but I know that you're a straight-A student. For students like you who earn consistent grades, a sudden change is a cause for concern. Is there something going on that could be having an effect on your studies?"

I glanced down at my hands, thinking for a moment. I'd been rather shocked to receive that grade, since my study pattern hadn't really changed.

"Something going on at home, perhaps?" Sub-Officer Gooding probed. "A family argument or a grievance?"

I shook my head. "Everything's fine, sir. I don't understand how I got that grade either."

"Are you eating and sleeping normally?"

"Yes, sir."

"Hmm… What do you do on the weekends?"

"I study and I go out with my friends."

Sub-Officer Gooding frowned thoughtfully. "Are you feeling overwhelmed by your workload?"

"No, sir. Nothing's changed in my routine, except…" I finally made eye contact with Sub-Officer Gooding.

"Except?"

"Uh, I've recently been spending a lot of my spare time with my sister-in-law. We just go out for lunch and things like that."

"I see. Now, we're getting somewhere. Forgive my bluntness, but are you in love with her?"

"No! I mean… I don't know. I like her, but…" I let my voice trail off.

"Okay, I think that you need to seriously think about this now. You have exams coming up, and a promising career in the fire service. However, women can be a big distraction, especially while you're a trainee. I have no objection to you or anyone else having a relationship in the fire service, but if you want to graduate at the top of your class, you need to give this course your full focus. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

I nodded. "I'll take that into consideration, sir."

"Good. As the Dean of Students here, your welfare is my responsibility. I just want what's best for you, okay? You're still very young, but you have the potential to make it all the way up through the ranks. I don't see many trainees with your natural talent for firefighting, which is why I'm talking to you now."

"Thank you, sir. May I go now?"

"Yes. See you at dinner."

After I'd gathered up my books, I left the office and I went to my room. Deep down, I knew that Sub-Officer Gooding was right. I needed to focus on my studies now more than ever. If I failed my half-term exams, I wouldn't be able to continue to the advanced part of the six-month basic training course. I'd either have to give up on my dream of becoming a fireman, or I'd have to re-apply in a year. I couldn't let that happen. Not only would I feel like I'd failed, but my mum would take the opportunity to push me in another direction. I knew that I needed to focus on myself and what I wanted, even if it meant hurting someone else.

Once I'd sorted out my library books, I picked up the phone. I hesitated for a moment before I dialled Gwen's number. She answered after a few rings.

"Hello?"

"Hi Gwen. It's Sam."

"Hi Sam! What's up? Are you still good for the movie on Saturday night?"

"I'm sorry, but I won't be able to spend time with you anymore. I need to focus on my studies, especially with exams coming up."

"I thought you got the weekends off?"

"I do, but I need that time to study."

I heard Gwen sigh heavily. "So, what your saying is that your studies are more important than me?"

"Not exactly…"

Gwen never gave me a chance to explain, because she promptly hung up. Frowning, I pressed the hang-up button. Then, I dialled Charlie's number. To my surprise, Sarah answered.

"Hello?"

"Hi Sarah. It's your uncle, Sam. Is your dad there?"

"Dad!" Sarah screamed as only a three-year-old can. "It's for you!"

There was a bit of a scuffle for a moment as Charlie took the phone. "Hello?"

"Hi Charlie."

"Sam. What's up?"

"I've just been talking to Gwen. I told her that I can't see her anymore because I need to focus on my studies, and she hung up on me. I'm worried that…well, maybe she thought there was something between us, when I was only being friendly."

"I see. Thanks for letting me know. If she says anything to Bronwyn, I'll take care of it. Focus on your studies and don't worry about her. I'll ask mum to leave you alone too."

"Thanks, Charlie. Wish me luck!"

"I will, but you don't need it. Good luck."

We hung up and, feeling relieved, I finally sat down at my desk to study.

…

A few hours later, shortly after sunset, I headed downstairs and over to the mess hall for dinner. I was glad to see that I wasn't the only student who'd brought a book with them. The mess hall was unusually quiet that evening, due to the number of students who were studying and eating at the same time. I barely even noticed when Sub-Officer Gooding sat down at the table beside me. He ate his dinner in silence before he spoke to me.

"Have you taken care of the problem we discussed earlier?"

"Yes, I have," I replied without even looking up from my book.

"Good. I think you should know that I want you to get dux of your class. That will give you an immediate placement in one of the Cardiff fire brigades, and it will shorten your probation period."

I finally looked up at him. "I didn't know that, sir. How long is the probation period normally?"

"Normally, it's six months. But, if you get dux, it will be shortened to two months. And, given the fact that you underwent cadet training at Cardiff Central, it wouldn't be difficult to get you back in there."

I smiled shyly. "I'd really like that. It's a good brigade, and I'm friends with a lot of the crew there."

Sub-Officer Gooding placed a hand on my shoulder. "Excellent! Now, I can see that you've finished your dinner. Would you like some pudding?"

"Sure. Just something light, please."

"Custard tart okay?"

"That'd be perfect, thanks."

Sub-Officer Gooding stood up, and he took my empty dinnerplate over to the counter, along with his. He returned a moment later with my pudding. I ate it slowly, while I continued studying.

Suddenly, the alarms sounded. I looked up in time to see the senior students leap up from their seats and bolt for the exits. Not wanting to miss out on the action, I collected my book and the remains of my custard tart before I followed them outside.

"It's a ten-pumper factory fire!" Station Officer Harman announced over the loudspeakers. "Both pumpers, the pump ladder and the aerial platform have been requested! Report to the incident controller as soon as you arrive."

I watched from as distance as the advanced trainee firefighters sprinted over to the appliance bay, where they donned their firefighting uniforms. Within minutes, they were off in their respective appliances, under lights and sirens.

Sighing heavily, I turned, and I headed back to my dormitory. I really wished I could go with them. A ten-pumper fire was huge; especially if assistance from the fire academy was needed. Once I was alone in my room, I changed into my pyjamas, and I settled down at my desk for a few more hours of study. I wasn't the type of person to study all night long, so shortly after nine p.m., I put my books away and I went to bed.

…

I'm not sure what time of night it was when I woke feeling feverish and uncomfortable. Groaning, I kicked off my blankets, and I sat up. I rested my head in my trembling hands, hoping to ease the discomfort in my stomach. Just when I thought I'd be okay, I suddenly felt the undeniable urge to vomit. Instinctively, I bolted to my bathroom.

I made it to the toilet bowl just in time. I threw up into the bowl several times before my stomach settled down. Groaning from exhaustion, I lay down on the cold tiled floor, resting my head on my outstretched arm. The bitter aftertaste of stomach acid filled my mouth, but I felt too miserable to do anything about it immediately.

After a few minutes, I managed to sit up. My head ached, and my limbs shook uncontrollably. Despite that, I staggered to my feet. After I'd turned on the bathroom light, I rinsed out my mouth at the sink and I washed my face. I stared at myself in the mirror for a moment as my eyes adjusted to the light. I naturally had a pale complexion, but I looked so pale that I was almost white.

I returned to my bed, and I lifted my phone off the bedside table. Under the phone was where I kept my list of intercampus phone numbers. I dialled the number for the on-campus doctor. His secretary answered.

"Doctor Davis's office, how can I help you?"

"This is Sam Jones in room forty-seven. I've just thrown up in my toilet, and now I'm really feverish."

"Okay, I'll page him to let him know. There are currently a few other students who have been sick tonight, so it may take him a while to get to you. Do you think you'll be okay to wait until he arrives?"

"Yes, I think so."

"All right. I want you to find a bucket - there should be one in your cleaning cupboard – and some old towels. Keep them close to you and try to go back to sleep. Also, if you can, try and sip slowly on some warm water. That should help settle your stomach."

"Thank you, I'll do that."

After I'd hung up the phone, I did everything the secretary had suggested. Before long, I had settled back down to sleep again. I had just slipped into that place between sleep and consciousness when I heard someone unlocking the door to my dormitory. I opened my eyes as the person entered my room and turned the light on. It was Sub-Officer Gooding. Right behind him was Dr Davies. Sighing with relief, I closed my eyes again. I listened as Dr Davies set his medical bag down at the foot of my bed.

"It's Sam Jones, isn't it?" he asked me softly.

I nodded. I felt my stomach surge upwards again, and before I could stop it, I threw up into the bucket that I'd placed on the floor beside my bed. Dr Davies placed a hand on my back, silently encouraging me to keep going.

"That's it, Sam," he soothed. "Don't try to stop. You'll only make it worse if you do."

When I'd finally stopped vomiting, I rinsed out my mouth before I lay back down, exhausted. Dr Davies felt my neck for my pulse.

"He's the same as the others," Dr Davies said to Sub-Officer Gooding. "Do you know what he had for dinner?"

"Yes, I sat with him during dinner."

"I see. And, did he also have the custard tart for dessert?"

I opened my eyes a slit just in time to see a look of guilt cross Sub-Officer Gooding's face.

"He did," Sub-Officer Gooding admitted. "I got it for him, because he was studying."

"In that case, I think it's safe to say that the custard tarts are the cause of this food poisoning outbreak," Dr Davies declared. He took a thermometer out of his bag, and after shaking the mercury down, he gently pressed the bulb against my lips. I opened my mouth just wide enough for Dr Davies to position the bulb under my tongue. "I'll alert the hospital, to see if we can get some nurses over here to help look after these kids. You'd better notify their parents too."

"I'll do that at a more reasonable hour," Sub-Office Gooding replied.

There was silence for a moment. Then, I felt Dr Davies gently place his fingers around the thermometer. I opened my mouth, and he withdrew it.

"His temperature is at thirty-eight point six." Dr Davies took out a notebook and he wrote down something. He then tucked my blankets around me snugly, and he packed up his equipment. "Try and get some sleep now, Sam. I'll send someone to replace that bucket for you shortly."

"Thank you," I whispered. I sighed tiredly as I settled down to sleep again.

…

Shortly after seven a.m., Mary Jones was just finishing her breakfast, when the phone rang.

"Nurse Jones," she said upon answering it.

"Good morning, Nurse Jones. This is Sub-Officer Gooding, dean of students at the Cardiff Fire Academy. I'm just ringing to inform you that there's been an outbreak of food poisoning amongst our students."

"Is Sam all right?" Mary blurted out.

"Unfortunately, I can confirm that he is amongst the sick. But I can assure you that he is being well looked after by our on-site doctor and the nurses we've borrowed from one of the local hospitals."

Mary frowned. "I want to come and look after him myself."

"I understand your concern, but I cannot allow you to do that."

"Why not? I'm happy to help the other nurses take care of the students as well."

Sub-Officer Gooding hesitated. "Oh, very well then. We can always use more assistance."

"Thank you. I'll be there in about an hour and a half."

...

Just over an hour later, Mary exited her car off the M4, and she took the road towards Cardiff. She'd only packed a few essential items for herself, but she'd brought all the medical supplies she was sure she'd need.

When Mary arrived at the fire academy, she found it quieter than she'd expected it to be. A uniformed fireman greeted her inside the administration office.

"Nurse Jones?"

"Yes?"

"I'm Sub-Officer Gooding. We spoke on the phone." He offered his hand, and Mary shook it. "I know you're keen to see your son, so please follow me."

Mary followed Sub-Officer Gooding out of the office. They walked towards a large quadrangle. Surrounding the quadrangle were numerous large buildings, two of which had ground-level carparks beneath them.

"How is Sam?" Mary inquired as they approached the largest of the buildings.

"When I last checked on him, he was asleep," Sub-Officer Gooding replied. "A couple of our students have been hospitalised due to dehydration concerns. Out of all the sick students and staff, Sam seems to be one of the least affected by this outbreak. I'm glad, because I have high hopes for him."

"Really? So, you don't think he's wasting his time here?"

"Do you?"

Mary sighed. "I wanted him to study at Oxford or Cambridge as a doctor. He's got the brains for it."

"Perhaps, but given how energetic he is, I can see that he wouldn't be happy doing an office job."

Mary bristled, but she couldn't think of anything to say to refute Sub-Officer Gooding's observations. Perhaps that's because, deep down, she knew he was right.

But that time, they'd gone up a flight of stairs, and they were now walking down a hallway. They stopped outside room number forty-seven. Sub-Officer Gooding took a set of keys out of his pocket, and he unlocked the door.

Mary entered the room first. It was a bit stuffy, but that was because the heater was on. The curtains at the far end of the room had been drawn open, enabling her to see clearly around the room. The first thing she focussed on was Sam, lying on his bed under several layers of sheets and blankets. He was still asleep.

"Let me know if you need anything," Sub-Officer Gooding whispered.

Mary nodded. Sub-Officer Gooding left, closing the door softly behind him. Mary set her medical bag down on Sam's desk. Then, she looked around the room. She was surprised to find it so neat and organised. Everything was dust-free and even Sam's clothes were hung up perfectly in the cupboard. The only thing out of place were the towels and bucket beside Sam's bed.

Mary sat down on the edge of Sam's bed. After she'd watched him sleeping peacefully for a moment, she leaned over and she tenderly placed the back of her hand against Sam's forehead. He was slightly feverish and pale, but aside from that, he looked perfectly normal.

Mary removed her hand and she continued to stare at her youngest son. Although she loved both of her sons dearly, Sam was her baby. She wanted what was best for him, but she also wanted him to be happy. Sub-Officer Gooding's conversation with her made her realise that Sam was happy perusing a career in the fire service. This was what he wanted to do with his life and, despite her own desires for him, she knew it was time to let him go.

…

When I awoke, the first thing I was aware of was someone gently stroking my hair. It was comforting to know that I wasn't alone. I felt weak and thirsty, but at least I was no longer nauseas. I slowly opened my eyes to see mum leaning over me. She smiled slightly when she saw me open my eyes.

"How are you feeling, sweetie?" she asked kindly. "Did you have a good sleep?"

"Yes, but… What are you doing here, mum?" I asked as I sat up.

"I've come to help look after everyone who's sick."

"Oh. Does Sub-Officer Gooding know?"

"Yes. We were talking about you earlier. Would you like a drink?"

"Yes, please."

Mum went over to my desk and I saw her take a container of electrolyte powder out of her medical bag. She mixed a spoonful of it into a glass of water, which she then brought over to me.

"Thanks." I took the glass from her, and I swallowed a few sips. I didn't need mum to remind me to drink slowly after a stomach upset. After I'd drunk about half the glass, I placed it on my bedside table. "What did Sub-Officer Gooding say about me?"

"He thinks that you have a good future in the fire service. And, I agree with him."

I looked up at mum, surprised. "You do? But I thought…"

"You thought that I was going to do everything I could to make you change your mind," mum finished. I nodded. "Well, perhaps I've just come to realise that it's time for me to let you go. You're an adult now, and it's time I let you be one. You've proven to me already that you're more than capable of taking care of yourself. However, if you ever need me, I promise, I'll drop everything to be by your side. No matter what happens, you'll always be my baby boy."

I chuckled before I wrapped my arms around mum's neck. "Thanks, mum. It means a lot to me to have your blessing. I won't let you down."

"You'll never let me down, Sam. Just don't let yourself down."

"I won't. I promise."

I let go of her, and mum stood up. "I'd better go and help some of the others now. I just wanted to be here when you woke up. See if you can finish drinking that water before I get back. If you manage to keep it down, I think you'll be well enough to have some biscuits later."

"Okay, I'll try. And mum? Thanks for coming."

Mum smiled and she tussled my hair. I swatted her hand away. "You're welcome. I'll be back in about half an hour."

I watched mum as she left the room. After the door had closed, I got up and I dressed into some casual clothes. Sick or not, I still need to study for my exams.

…

It came as no surprise to anyone when I passed all of my exams with flying colours. When I graduated three months later, as predicted, I received Dux of my class. My graduation day was a spectacular day, full of fun and ceremonies. I was thrilled to have my entire family attend. Even Gwen managed to come along, although things were still awkward between us. I think the best part was when I took Charlie, Sarah and James for a ride around the training grounds in one of the pump-ladders. I had prior permission to do that, and I wasn't the only graduate to treat their family members to a ride.

Following a two-week holiday in Pontypandy after my graduation, I returned to Cardiff for my probation at the Cardiff Central Fire Station. I was thrilled to be assigned to White Watch, because that meant I could work with my friends. Naturally, I passed easily through my probationary period, and before summer started, I was assigned to the rank of a fully qualified Fireman.