It had been discussed, long before Sam's injury, that the Pontypandy Fire Station should extend the crew a little. Now with Sam unable to work for a while, that suggestion had been put into action. The Station was to welcome two new Firefighters and a second Fire Engine.
Station Officer Steele was the first to see the new Fire Engine pull into the drive. "Come on…" he said to Penny, Elvis, and Trevor, "Our new recruits have arrived…Let's see what they're like, hmm?"
They all went out to greet the newcomers. They were a man and woman. Both looked to be in their late twenties to early thirties. The man had short, brown hair and brown eyes while the woman had ginger hair which, was done up in a plait, and blue eyes. Both had friendly smiles.
"Firefighters Briggs and Grantley reporting for duty, Sir." The man announced as he and woman stood to attention.
"Very good." Steele nodded with satisfaction, "Welcome to Pontypandy…I'll leave you to get to know the crew." He went back inside.
"It's very nice to meet you." Penny spoke first, "I'm Firefighter Penny Morris, this is Fireman Elvis Cridlington and this is Auxiliary Fireman Trevor Evans, who is also the Pontypandy bus driver…" then she added sadly, "Unfortunately Fireman Sam, as you may have heard, is not able to work for a while…He would've been very glad to meet you both."
The woman smiled sympathetically. "We know about the accident…" she said, "What a dreadful business. So sorry it happened." Then she grinned, "I'm Firefighter Jillian Briggs…but everyone just calls me "Jill".
"And I'm Fireman David Grantley." The man smiled, "It's a pleasure to be working with you all."
Sarah and James were on their way to Dilys' General Store with Sam, who was in a wheelchair. When they arrived, however, they were met with a commotion. Norman and Dilys came, running out of the shop. "Fire…!" Dilys shrieked, "In the living room!"
Norman was already in the nearby phone box, calling the Fire Brigade.
Sam and the twins watched from a safe distance. Sam felt a pang that he could do no more than comfort Dilys and Norman and ask them how the fire started.
"Norman left his shoes lying on the floor…" Dilys told him with an exasperated sigh, "and I tripped and knocked down the scented candle I'd lit earlier."
Soon, the Fire Engine arrived.
"That's not Jupiter!" Sarah gasped.
"No…" Sam said with very clear interest, "Must belong to the new Firefighters…Let's watch and see how they do."
They watched as a brown-haired man and a ginger-haired woman jumped out of the Fire Engine. "Man the hose-reel!" the woman called, and she and the man ran into the shop with the thin hoses.
A few moments later, they came out. "There you are, Mrs Price…" the woman smiled, "Fire's all put out now…Not too much damage done."
"Thank heavens for that!" Dilys puffed, "I thought my living room was going to be ruined!"
The man and woman noticed Sam and the twins. "Hello…" the man smiled, "Are you Fireman Sam, by any chance?"
"Aye…" Sam smiled back and shook hands with them both, "Fireman Samuel Payton-Jones, and these are Sarah and James, my niece and nephew."
The man and woman smiled. "I'm Jill Briggs and this is David Grantley." She replied.
"We're both very glad to be working with the Pontypandy Fire Service." David added, "This is our first emergency here."
Norman was looking ashamed. "I didn't MEAN for Mum to trip over my shoes…" he sniffled.
Dilys gave him a kiss, making him blush. "Of course, you didn't…" she crooned, "Mummy's little darling…But you MUST learn to put your shoes and toys where people can't fall over them."
Sam agreed, "Your mum's right, Norman…Trip hazards can be very dangerous."
The twins were interested in the Fire Engine. It was like Jupiter but a slightly different shape. "Does it have a name?" Sarah asked, "Uncle Sam's is called "Jupiter".
"Aye." David grinned, "Ours certainly does have a name…She's called "Mars."
"Mars…" Sam smiled, "A fine name for a Fire Engine."
"Yeah, brill!" the twins and Norman all said together.
It was time for Jill and David to return to the Fire Station. Before they left, Sam asked, "How's Freckles getting on today?"
"He's been great!" Jill replied, "You've got a really clever dog there, Sam."
They bought what they came for and returned to Sam's house.
Sarah and James stayed with their uncle for the rest of the day. When Freckles was brought home by Elvis, they played with him in Sam's garden while Sam sat on his lawn chair. Freckles ran to and fro, fetching and bringing back the ball that the twins threw for him.
"I'm glad you two are here to play with Freckles." Sam said gratefully, "I can't do much right now…Oh, I MISS being able to fight fires!"
Sarah gave her uncle a hug. "Don't be sad, Uncle Sam…" she begged, "You'll soon be back at work."
Sam gave her a kiss on the head. "Aye…" he chuckled warmly, "With you two to cheer me up, how can I NOT recover quickly?"
Sam was ever so glad when, a few weeks later, he was FINALLY able to return to duty. He was itching to be in action again. It wasn't long before Sam was needed for a very big field fire near Pandy Lane Farm. He, Elvis, Penny, Jill, and David tackled the huge blaze, which had been caused by heat and lack of rain, while Station Officer Steele observed the situation. It had been Sarah and James who spotted it as they passed in Trevor's bus. Trevor had used the phone in his bus to call the Fire Brigade.
"Great fires of London!" Sam had exclaimed when he first saw the fire, "I haven't seen a blaze like this in a long time!"
It took some time to put out the fire. All the large hoses were used, both from Jupiter and Mars. At last, after what seemed like ages, the last of the flames went out with a hiss.
"Shiver me tweakers…" Sam sighed, "It's a good job Sarah and James spotted this fire."
"Aye…" Trevor agreed, "I'd never have noticed it while I was busy driving…Thank goodness those two were looking out the window."
Steele praised them all for their excellent work. He was very impressed with their action.
Sam gave his niece and nephew a hug. "You two did great, spotting the fire." He smiled, ruffling their hair, "Well done…And well done for keeping far away from it."
The smiled and each took Sam's hand in theirs. "Well…" Sarah looked up at her uncle, "We learn from the best Fireman and uncle in Pontypandy."
"No…" James shook his head and hugged Sam again, "The best Fireman and uncle in the WORLD."
They both drew in for one last hug, saying, "We love you, Uncle Sam."
The End.
