Every day was different, that was what made the job special.

Every day they stepped across the threshold into Blackwall Fire Station, it was a new adventure. A new chance to gain experience, to challenge themselves in unique situations. However, it was also about saving people. When they put on those uniforms, and that bell rang, they were the Blue Watch. They were expected to save the day – to be superheroes.

They were ordinary people too though. They had problems, they had love lives. They had dreams and ambitions, and they had emotions. All of them in that building, they were comrades, friends. Each knew what the other had gone through, because they had also felt the same at some point. They helped each other through bad times and embraced the good times, for each member of the Blue Watch knew the golden rule of being a firefighter, although they rarely spoke about it.

Life was fleeting. Anything could happen, and fate was a cruel foe.

Who were they to try and cheat it?

Josie didn't mind the lull between shouts. In fact, she preferred it. The ability to reflect on the previous shout and to recharge her batteries so that she could put her all into the next shout helped her through the day.

Parking herself in the empty mess room for a quick read of her new book, she had just begun a new chapter when the front page of the local paper strewn on the table caught her eye.

18th November 1987.

Had it been nearly a year since she had joined Blackwall? She couldn't quite believe it. It hadn't felt like it, that was for sure!

"Penny for your thoughts?"

She jumped just a little, her features softening into a smile as Bayleaf entered the mess room. Resting her book on the table, she shook her head. "Just got a bit distracted, that's all."

Bayleaf was about to ask more, but they were interrupted by the rest of the gang strolling in and taking their seats.

"It's true!"

"Sure it is."

"Where's the proof?"

"Yeah, if you're so sure about it?"

Bayleaf shot Josie an amused look.

"I feel like we're missing something here."

Malcolm spoke up first with a sly smile. "Charisma seems to think he could hook us up with football tickets. Said he knows a guy."

Charisma huffed in response. "I do! He's a good mate!"

"Must be a pretty good mate to think that he can get tickets for so many of us." George raised an eyebrow.

"FA Cup final."

Vaseline calmly popped a cigarette in his mouth and lit it as everyone turned to stare at him in disbelief. Taking it between his fingers, he locked eyes with a shocked Charisma. "Get tickets for all of us to the FA Cup final, and we'll believe you."

"Are you mad? They're like gold dust these days!" Tony exclaimed.

That was their chance of getting tickets for anything gone now, Sicknote thought.

Kevin glanced up to see John popping his head in the doorway. "Up for tickets for the FA Cup final, Sub?"

"Well, I was only looking for a bit of grub, but they'll do!"

"That's my cue…!" Bayleaf chuckled as he made his way to the kitchen, starting to prepare the dinner.

As Josie watched on as the guys argued over who they thought would make it to the final, she found herself smiling. Sure, she had her friends out of work, but these guys… She hadn't been at Blackwall for that long, but they were some of the best friends she could have. She wouldn't change them for the world.

In busy Central London, members of the public darted from place-to-place in the pre-Christmas rush. Countless others passed through the doors of King's Cross Underground Station, up and down the wooden escalators to their destinations.

Only one of those people noticed the tiny glow of light emerging from the gaps in the elevator steps…