Sorry, it's been a while since I've updated - I've been really busy at school. But I'm back now. Enjoy :)

Sam and Penny sat together at the kitchen table, quietly sipping at their tea. Penny couldn't get the job offer off of her mind, and she wondered whether Sam had ever been in a similar situation.

Pontypandy was Sam's home though. His brother, sister in law and niece and nephew lived here. Penny, however, had been born in Newtown, and she had also spent a couple of years in Cardiff when she was a teenager. She didn't really feel connected to either place though, since all of her relatives had moved to London while she went to Firefighters College in Newtown. Pontypandy felt more like home than either of those two.

Still thinking, Penny stared at the bottom of her mug contemplating the difficult decision that she had to make. What was the right choice though...?

"Are you alright?"

Penny jumped. She'd forgotten that Sam was here too. She didn't get a lot of visitors, and she had gotten quite used to being alone, just herself and her thoughts.

"I'm fine," she said, feeling guilty for ignoring him. "Sorry."

Sam set his mug down on the table and looked at her closely. "Are you sure?" he asked, frowning.

"Yes! Well, no. I've just got stuff on my mind, that's all." Penny took a sip of tea. It had gone cold.

Sam leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. "It's about that meeting you had with Steele, isn't it?"

Pennosy but her lip and nodded. "He said I'd been offered a job in Newtown. As a leading firefighter." she said, slowly.

Sam smiled. "Congratulations, you deserve it! Are you going to accept the job?"

"I honestly don't know, Sam. I'd love to be a Leading Firefighter... but at the same time, I want to stay here." Penny replied, running her fingers through her short hair.

"Why do you want to stay?" Sam asked softly.

Penny sighed. "Because... because I don't want to leave Pontypandy. It's my home now, and I can't imagine working without Ellie and Elvis, and Arnold, and Station Officer Steele and you." she paused, and took a deep breath. "And I'm scared, Sam. What if I'm not good enough? What if someone gets hurt because of my actions...", Penny faded off as Sam gently took her hand.

"Penny, you are more the good enough. I mean, we don't call you Perfect Penny for nothing, you know." Penny smiled bashfully.

"The thing is," continued Sam, "It's your choice."

Penny nodded slowly. "Ok," she said. "Thanks Sam."

"You're welcome," he replied, draining the rest of his mug. "Now, let's see if I can help you with that bike of yours."

...

The next morning was beautiful. The sky was clear, and there was no trace of yesterday's storm.

Penny woke up early. Even though she had talked with Sam the previous day, she was unsure of what she wanted to do. She lay awake for half an hour thinking, until her alarm clocked went off. Penny climbed out of bed and changed into a fresh station uniform, before heading downstairs for breakfast. She ate a couple of slices of toast before brushing her teeth, packing her bag, and wheeling her bike onto the narrow country road.

Sam had helped her fix her bike the previous day. "Good as new," he smiled, spinning the back wheel contentedly when they were finished. "I can give you a ride tomorrow though, if you want."

Penny had politely objected. He'd smiled. "Just text me if you change your mind."

And then he'd been gone, the engine of his motorbike echoing down the lane, sending birds flying out of hedges. Penny had stood outside for a while before she finally headed indoors.

Now, Penny mounted her bike and started peddling. One of the main reasons she had a bike was because she enjoyed the scenery so much. It was also good exercise.

Soon, she had arrived in Pontypandy. Penny dismounted her bike and locked it up outside Dilys's shop, before heading in. Dilys greeted her warmly.

"Morning Penny! What a beautiful day, especially after yesterday's weather."

Penny nodded. "I think it's going to get quite hot. Make sure Norman has a water bottle today."

"Ooo," Dilys sighed, "what are the cadets doing today?"

The cadets were going to the cliffs to learn about the animals that lived in there and in the sea.

Penny smiled. "It's a bit of a surprise, Dilys," she said. "But I can guarantee that they'll have an amazing time."

Dilys nodded. "My Norman is soooo excited. I'll get him down here, to say hello..."

"There's no need, Dilys..." Penny quickly protested.

But it was too late. "NORMAN! COME DOWNSTAIRS AND SAY HELLO TO FIREFIGHTER PENNY," Dilys screeched up the stairs.

"But mam! I'm getting ready for my cadet trip!" Norman yelled back.

Dilys shook her head, and turned back to Penny. "Anyway," she said brightly, "what can I help you with today?"

"I just need a box of teabags and some milk for the station," replied Penny, putting her purchases on the counter. Dilys scanned them, and Penny paid and left the shop. She unlocked her bike, put the bag with the shopping on the handlebars and cycled the rest of the way to the station.

Outside, Arnold was just emptying the rubbish bin. "Morning Penny. Chief Officer Boyce is here," he said to Penny gravely. "Hopefully he doesn't get us to do those awful training exercises again..."

"Hopefully not," replied Penny, not bothering to tell him the real reason that Boyce was here. She opened the door and walked up the stairs into the kitchen. She opened the fridge and put the milk inside, before slamming it shut.

"Firefighter Morris! What a pleasure to see you." Penny turned around quickly. Chief Officer Boyce was standing with Station Officer Steele.

"It's good to see you too, sir," she replied, setting the teabags on the counter.

"If you could just step into the office here, we can just have a chat about that job offer..."