Fire Woman by Josephine Reynolds

Author:Josephine Reynolds [Reynolds, Josephine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781782437000
Publisher: Michael O' Mara Books

CHAPTER 11

Making Plans for Nigel

‘Sub, are you sure this is a good idea?’

It was my first Saturday night out with my new work colleagues and I was beginning to wish I’d stayed at home. I was standing outside the village hall in East Wretham where, judging by the flashing disco lights and the throb of the Bee Gees’ ‘Stayin’ Alive’, a raucous party was in full swing.

After my lonely nights at The Dolphin, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to make new friends. But there was one small snag. Instead of my best party dress, I was wearing a full-body furry elephant jumpsuit, complete with large floppy ears and a long grey trunk. There was no two ways about it – I looked bloody ridiculous.

‘It’s a fancy dress party, lighten up!’ boomed Nigel, fastening the zip on an identical outfit that was struggling to contain his muscular six-foot frame. Well, I thought, at least he looks even more stupid than me. ‘And for God’s sake, stop calling me Sub. We’re not at work now. It’s time to have some fun, Firefighter Reynolds. That’s an order.’

Ever since my first daytime shout, my relationship with my workmates had undergone a transformation. It was like the flicking of a switch. One minute I was the new girl who everyone tiptoed around. The next, I was a fully fledged member of the team for whom no practical joke was deemed too cruel or humiliating.

The ringleaders in this campaign of light-hearted terror were Trevor Leggett and another slightly older fireman called Robbie Knowles. Trevor was about my age, and while he was happily married to Debbie, a nurse, we had instantly clicked. ‘We get on like a house on fire, don’t we, Jo?’ he’d say, making me drop my guard for a second before he and Robbie lifted me up and dunked me in the water tank in the corner of the drill yard. ‘That should cool things down a bit.’

Other times I would be happily going about my duties when, after hearing a creaking door or some muffled laughter, a strategically placed bucket of iced water would land on my head, soaking me to the skin. ‘YOU BLOODY BASTARDS! I’ll get you for this!’ I’d yell, shaking with rage or laughter depending on how many times that day I’d already had to change out of my sopping wet kit.

Some people might have lost their temper on being subjected to such humiliations. But I saw them for exactly what they were – proof that I had been accepted as a member of the crew.

The invitation had arrived the previous week. ‘Do you fancy a night out with us old timers, Dangerous?’ said Nigel, thrusting a multicoloured flyer for a ‘Gnomes and Elves’ fancy dress party into my hands. ‘It’s from our friends at the police station across the road. Their parties are legendarily good. And it’ll be a chance for you to meet some new people to electrocute.’

‘Sounds good to me,’ I replied, examining the flyer.

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