Free Firestarter by Patsy Collins Page B

big pan of oil that went everywhere. It could have doubled as a healthy eating lesson as none of us wanted to go near a deep fat fryer after that.'
    'Sixth formers learned about other types of safety too, on the roads and building sites and things and had a careers talk. Learning about all the different roles, and I admit seeing how the girls reacted to a man in uniform, got me interested.'
    'And is it how you imagined?' Alice asked.
    'Pretty much. There are boring bits; paperwork, constant checks of the equipment and all kinds of regulations and things we have to learn, but all jobs have their downsides.'
    'Mine certainly does.'
    'A shout is a real adrenaline rush and I love it. It's draining though, even when it all goes perfectly, but it doesn't always.' He went quiet and Alice squeezed his hand, wanting to offer comfort but not knowing how.
    After a moment he looked up and gave her a wicked grin. 'Anyway, you and your firemen fetish?'
    'It's not a fetish!' Although she knew he was teasing, she threw a beer mat at him.
    'Guess it's because that's what's needed to deal with your fiery temper?'
    'Huh! Actually it's because I thought, wrongly as I'm just learning, that members of the fire service were gentlemen.'
    'You've not met Red Watch yet! But if it's a gentleman you want, Hamish Mustarde Esq. at your service.' He stood and gave her a bow.
    'Oh go on then,' she said, handing him her glass.
    He laughed. 'Suppose I asked for that. Same again?'
    'Please, but I'll get it.' She reached for her bag.
    'A gentleman would never allow such a thing.'
    When he walked to the bar, half the female heads in the pub turned to watch. As he waited to be served he chatted to a redhead who was also buying drinks. She giggled and touched his arm. Seeing that and the way Hamish seemed used to such a reaction, Alice felt a sudden stab of empathy for Tony and his jealous streak.
    When Hamish returned with their drinks she told him about the time she'd been walking her dog, off the lead, near a building site.
    'Frodo was usually well behaved and a real softy, but he ran after a squirrel or something. I heard him whining and thought he was hurt so ran after him. He was fine when I found him, or would have been if I hadn't jumped up next to him and sent us both crashing into the foundations.'
    'I'd forgotten about that. You broke your leg didn't you?'
    'I did. The fire brigade rescued me and Frodo. I'd got really cold and lost a fair bit of blood and was convinced we were going to die by then, so you can imagine they made quite an impression.'
    'So did you. Devon's still nervous of dark-haired schoolgirls.'
    'Devon?'
    'The guy who lifted you out.'
    She thought back to the strong black man who'd rescued her. 'You know him?'
    'My watch manager.' He was trying not to laugh though, so hopefully he was kidding.
    They talked for hours about music, food and reached a stalemate on whether snooker was really a sport.
    Hamish walked her home, saw her up to her door and kissed her cheek. 'Can we do this again?'
    'I'd like that.'
    'Lunch on Sunday?'
    'I can't, sorry.' Her parents and Kate were coming round and inviting him to meet the family on their second date didn't quite fit in with her request to take things slowly.
    'OK.'
    'I really do want to see you again though. Whenever you have an evening free.' Hardly playing it cool, but better than him thinking she was fobbing him off.
    'Evenings are pretty tied up the next week or so. I'll give you a call, OK?'
    He gave her another peck on the cheek and was gone.
    Overall she thought it had gone pretty well. He'd been very easy to talk to and he'd said he wanted to see her again. As long as he hadn't gone into a huff about her not being available on Sunday and did actually call, she was optimistic about the future. If he was inclined to sulk over it, well she'd been there, done that, and wasn't going through it again even for an incredibly gorgeous fireman. One who was easily big and strong enough to put her over