St Piran's: The Fireman and Nurse Loveday (14 page)

Her face was very serious; Tom hid his amusement, not wanting to hurt her. Flora couldn’t be bossy if she tried. But he liked the surge of confidence; tonight, she simply sparkled. ‘In that case, honey, I’m completely in your hands—do what you want with me.’

‘Good.’ She plugged her MP3 player into a set of speakers by her bed, and soft jazz filled the room. She stood on tiptoe and kissed him, then finished undoing the buttons of his shirt, sliding the material off his shoulders.

He waited for her to hang it over the back of a chair, knowing that she was the tidy sort.

As if she’d guessed what he was thinking, she gave a grin and tossed it over her shoulder, just to prove that she didn’t always run to type. She explored his chest with her fingertips, moving in tiny circles across his skin; he caught his breath as her hands moved lower, to his abdomen.

‘Nice six-pack, Mr Nicholson,’ she said.

And then his mouth went dry as she undid the button and zip of his formal trousers.

‘Gorgeous,’ she breathed.

‘Flora.’ He had to stop himself grabbing her; he knew she wanted to be in charge and he had to be patient—even though right then he really wanted to pick her up and lay her back against the pillows before easing into her.

Slowly, slowly, she eased the material of his trousers over his hips.

He helped her then, kicking his shoes off and stepping out of his trousers, pulling his socks off at the same time.

‘Turn round,’ she said.

He did so, in a slow pirouette.

‘Just gorgeous,’ she said. ‘Tom, you’re perfect.’

‘That’s pretty much what I think about you,’ he said. ‘And, pretty as your dress is, I really want to take it off.’

She shook her head. ‘You’ll have to wait. I have other plans.’

He had no idea what she had in mind, but he was definitely playing by her rules tonight. ‘I’m in your hands,’ he told her.

She pulled the duvet aside and patted the pillows. ‘Lie down.’

He did so, and she stood at the end of the bed, swaying to the music. His mouth went dry as she slowly, slowly peeled off her dress.

‘Oh, wow. That lace stuff…it’s gorgeous.’ And he was desperate to take it off her.

She gave him a shy smile. ‘You like it? ‘

‘Very much. You’re beautiful, Flora.’

She finished peeling off everything except her knickers, then sashayed over towards him.

‘I need to touch you, Flora.’ His voice was hoarse with need.

She glanced down at his underpants, which were hiding absolutely nothing. ‘Mmm. I can see that.’

His breath hissed. ‘Flora.’

She held up a finger. ‘Wait.’ She went to the drawer of the cabinet by her bed, opened it, and withdrew a condom. ‘I think we might need this.’

Flora had bought condoms?

He must have spoken aloud, because she looked hurt. ‘I’m not that staid and boring, Tom.’

‘No, of course you’re not.’ He leaned forward and kissed her lightly. ‘Just that it’s my job to take care of you.’

‘This is the twenty-first century. And I’m not fat, frumpy Flora any more.’

‘You’re gorgeous, curvy, incredibly sensual Flora,’ he said. ‘And I really, really need to touch you.’ He dragged in a breath. ‘I really, really need you to touch me. Before I implode.’ He took her hand and tugged her towards him.

To his pleasure, she climbed onto the bed and straddled him. She manoeuvred him so she could remove his underpants, and then the only thing between them was the lace of her incredibly pretty knickers. He could feel the heat of her
sex against his skin, and it sent him dizzy. ‘Flora. I’m begging. Please?’

She ripped open the foil packet and slid the condom over his penis. Her hand was shaking slightly, but she was completely in control—and he was happy to let her take the lead, loving the new confidence she was showing.

She lifted herself slightly, drew the material of her knickers to one side, positioned him at her entrance and then slowly, slowly lowered herself onto him.

She leaned forward and touched her mouth to his before rising and lowering herself back on to him. As her arousal grew, she tipped her head back; Tom shifted so he could kiss her throat. He could feel the pulse beating hard there, just like his own heart was racing with desire and need and…love.

He felt her start to ripple round him, and he was lost.

‘My adorable Flora. I love you,’ he whispered, and kissed her hard as his climax shuddered through him.

She looked completely stunned.

‘Are you OK?’ he asked, wrapping his arms round her and holding her close.

‘Yes.’ She frowned. ‘Did you just say what I think you said?’

He nodded. ‘I’m sorry. I know it’s fast. I know it’s crazy. But my mum said something last weekend, something I know now is just so true. She said when you meet the right one, you
know.
And I do.’

‘You love me,’ she said in wonder.

‘I love all of you, from those beautiful soft curls down to your pearl-pink toenails and everything in between. All that you are, I love,’ he said softly.

Her eyes filled with tears. ‘Oh, Tom. I love you, too.’

‘Good.’ He smiled. ‘I was hoping you’d say that.’

Tom dealt with the condom, then switched off the music and the lights. Flora cuddled into him, resting her head on his
shoulder; and he drifted off to sleep with his arms wrapped round her, feeling warmer and more at peace than he could ever remember.

F
LORA
woke the next morning in Tom’s arms. He was already awake, and smiled down at her. ‘Good morning, sleepyhead. How’s the hangover?’ ‘What hangover?’

‘The champagne you drank, last night,’ he reminded her. ‘I didn’t drink that much,’ she said with a smile. ‘It wasn’t champagne that made me all giddy. That was you.’

‘I know the feeling—that’s what you do to me.’ He stole a kiss. ‘I love you, Flora.’

She’d never get tired of hearing this. Never. ‘I love you, too,’ she said softly.

‘So what are we doing today?’

‘Much as I’d like to stay here with you all day, that’s not an option.’ She paused. ‘Aren’t your parents going back to France this evening?’ ‘Yes.’

‘Then how about I cook us all Sunday lunch,’ she said, ‘and we spend the afternoon on the beach making sandcastles with Joey until they have to go?’

Tom held her close. A day with all the people he loved.
His family.
‘That,’ he said, ‘sounds absolutely perfect.’

‘Turnout, vehicles 54 and 55. RTC.’ There was a pause. ‘Cutting gear needed.’

Road traffic collision.

Given the cold snaps they’d had over the winter, Tom had had to face several car accidents since he’d lost his sister to one. But this was the first time since then that they’d been told up front that they’d need cutting gear.

Please, God, let them be able to free the trapped and get everyone safely to hospital. Don’t let another family have to go what his had gone through.

It turned out to be only one vehicle involved, wrapped round a tree. It looked as if the driver had hit black ice and spun off the road.

‘The ambulance is on its way but we need to check out the driver now. Tom, you’ve got the ALS training,’ Steve said.

‘OK, Guv. I’m on it.’ The passenger’s side of the car was bent round the tree; Tom tried the driver’s door, but it was jammed. He tried the rear passenger door, and to his relief it opened.

There wasn’t a huge amount he could do before the ambulance arrived, but he could do the basics. ABCDE—airway, breathing, circulation, disability, exposure.

‘I’m Tom, one of the fire crew,’ he said, leaning in through the back door. ‘The ambulance is on its way and we’re going to get you out, mate. What’s your name?’

‘Ethan.’

The driver could speak, which meant his airway was clear. His breathing seemed a bit shallow, but Tom couldn’t get a proper look to see if Ethan was losing any blood. ABC. D: disability. There were no immediate neurological problems, he thought, because Ethan had been able to answer a question. But as for exposure, checking the extent of his injuries—that would have to wait until they’d cut him out.

‘Do you have any pain anywhere, Ethan?’ Tom asked.

‘My neck,’ Ethan said.

Could be whiplash; could be a spinal injury. ‘As soon as
the ambulance is here, we’ll get a collar on you and get you out. Anywhere else?’

‘My legs. My foot’s stuck.’

The front of the car had crumpled, so Ethan’s foot was probably caught between the pedals. They’d need the cutters to get him out—and they’d have to take the roof off the car to move him.

‘We’ll get you out of here soon. Can you remember what happened?’

‘I was late for a meeting—then the car fishtailed and I was heading straight for the tree.’

Which sounded like a classic case of black ice. Given that he was running late, Ethan probably hadn’t been giving his full concentration to the road; black ice was tough to spot at the best of times, but when you weren’t looking for it you didn’t stand a chance. Tom glanced into the car’s interior. He couldn’t see any passengers, but he needed to check. ‘Were you on your own in the car?’ he asked.

‘Yes,’ Ethan said.

‘OK. I’m going to talk to my station manager about the best way to get you out. I’ll be back in two minutes.’ Steve was already assessing the car when Tom went to talk to him. ‘Possible spinal injury, and his foot’s stuck.’

‘We’re going to have to open the car for the ambo crew so they can get a board in, then,’ Steve said. ‘And probably cut the pedals to free him. Right. Let’s stabilise the car.’

‘I’ll tell him what we’re doing.’ Tom leaned into the back of the car again. ‘Ethan, we’re going to make the car safe so it won’t move, and then the paramedics are going to get you out, OK?’

‘Uh-huh.’

The first emergency vehicle to arrive wasn’t the ambulance, as Tom had expected, but the rapid response unit car. Josh O’Hara climbed out of the front seat.

‘Hey, Tom. Looks nasty. What have we got?’

‘Just the driver—his name’s Ethan. He’s talking, but the front’s jammed so I can’t tell if he’s bleeding or how badly he’s injured. His neck hurts and his foot’s trapped.’

‘If I get a collar on him, can you cut him out?’

‘Sure.’

While Josh sorted out the collar, Tom and the rest of the fire crew sorted the rams and spreaders.

‘Can you sit with him while we cut him out?’ Tom asked.

‘Course I will.’

Tom handed him the blue tear-shaped plastic shield and leaned into the back. ‘Ethan, we’re going to cut you out so the doctor can take a proper look at you. It’s going to be noisy in here, but don’t worry—Josh is going to stay with you. We have to cut through the windscreen, so Josh is going to hold a shield in front of you to make sure you don’t get any glass in your face.’

‘Uh-hmm.’ Ethan’s voice sounded slurred and Tom exchanged a concerned glance with Josh.

‘Ten minutes and you’ll be out of here,’ Tom said.

By the time they’d cut him out, the ambulance crew had the trolley next to the car, ready to take Ethan in, and Josh had got a line into him so the all-essential fluids could go in. Tom put a shield over Ethan’s legs to protect him, then used the cutter to snap the pedal trapping his legs. After that, the paramedics took over, getting a spinal board on Ethan, then taking him off to St Piran’s.

Josh looked at Tom. ‘You OK?’

‘Yeah.’ Just. And he knew why Josh had asked. ‘I admit, it’s making me think of my sister. And I just wish…’ But wishing couldn’t make things right. Couldn’t bring her back.

Josh laid a hand on Tom’s shoulder. ‘I’m sorry, mate. There’s nothing anyone can do or say to fix it.’

‘No.’ Tom looked at Josh. ‘You don’t look so good yourself. Is this bringing back memories for you, too?’

‘No. It’s just that life can be so… Have you ever done something you really, really regret later?’

Josh was usually the life and soul of the football match, joking and laughing afterwards. And Tom had the strongest feeling that his friend was doing exactly the same as Tom himself had always done: using laughter as a shield to hide his emotions. It looked to him as if Josh needed to talk to someone. And it might as well be him. ‘Look, it’s practically lunchtime,’ he said. ‘You must be due a break, too.’

‘Well, yeah.’

‘Fancy grabbing a sandwich? ‘

Josh shook his head. ‘A sandwich won’t do. Even if it comes with chunky fries.’

‘If it’s a serious carb fix you need, how about pizza?’

‘That,’ Josh said, ‘would definitely work for me.’

‘OK. See you at Luigi’s in twenty minutes?’

‘You’re on.’

Twenty minutes later Josh walked into the pizza parlour to see Josh already there. Josh ordered a pizza loaded with absolutely everything, and wisecracked his way through the whole meal. Tom waited until their coffees had arrived, then said gently, ‘OK. You do the same as I do—tell enough jokes and it’ll all go away. Except it doesn’t.’ He paused. ‘So what’s happened?’

Josh sighed. ‘It’s messy.’

‘I’m not going to spill to anyone. Tell me,’ Tom encouraged him.

‘Years ago, I fell for someone. It went wrong—and it was my fault.’ A muscle flickered in Josh’s jaw. ‘I never forgot her, but there was no way we were going to be together.’

‘And you got married on the rebound?’ Tom asked. He’d heard the rumours that Josh’s marriage was in trouble, and his
wife never appeared at the football matches nowadays. Tom had met Rebecca a couple of times; she was nice enough, but maybe a little too picture-perfect.

Josh sighed. ‘No. I loved Rebecca, thought I did, but if I’m honest I know I never felt the same connection with her as I did with my ex. We’ve been drifting apart for years.’ He looked grim. ‘I don’t think our marriage can be saved and I don’t think either of us really wants to try saving it.’

‘So you’re looking at divorce?’

‘I guess so. We want different things out of life. She wants a baby above all else.’

‘And I take it you don’t?’

Josh grimaced. ‘I’ve never wanted kids—never—and she knows that. We had a deal.’ He blew out a breath. ‘And now I’ve done something really stupid. I got drunk at the dinner on Saturday night. And…you know how it is. You’re tired, you’re not thinking about what you’re doing. She was warm, she was there—and, God help me.’ He raked a hand through his hair. ‘I shouldn’t have done it. It wasn’t fair to her. I didn’t use a condom—and she didn’t stop me.’

Tom looked at him in sympathy. ‘Have you talked to her about it since?’

‘No. She’s pretending it never happened, but we both know it did. And we both know why it happened, too.’ Josh sighed. ‘This is crazy. I don’t love her any more, and she doesn’t love me. I ought to let her go, find someone who’ll give her what she wants.’

‘And you’re still thinking about the girl you lost?’ Tom guessed.

‘It would help,’ Josh said drily, ‘if I didn’t have to work with her.’

Tom blew out a breath. ‘Tricky one. Does she know you still have feelings for her?’

‘I’m not sure. She won’t discuss it with me. On Saturday,
she told me to go home to my wife. And, like an idiot, I did. And.’ He sighed. ‘Rebecca knew I was drunk, that I wasn’t thinking straight. And I’ll never forgive myself if we’ve made a baby.’

‘She’s not on the Pill?’

‘She was,’ Josh said, but his tone made it clear he didn’t think she was any more.

‘It doesn’t always happen first time,’ Tom said. ‘You’re a doctor. You know the odds.’

‘Yeah.’ Josh drained his coffee. ‘Well, enough of my problems. How are things with Joey?’

‘He’s really started to open up to me,’ Tom said. ‘Funny, I used to be like you. I never thought I wanted kids. But now I’m Joey’s stand-in dad…and I’m getting used to it. More than that, I’m actually enjoying it.’

‘And you have Flora. She’s a sweetheart.’

‘A definite keeper,’ Tom said.

‘I hope it works out for you,’ Josh said. He glanced at his watch. ‘And we’d better get back on shift. See you at the game on Sunday?’

‘Absolutely. And we’re going to beat you four-nil,’ Tom said with a grin.

‘In your dreams.’ Josh clapped him on the shoulder. ‘Thanks, mate.’

‘I didn’t do a lot.’

‘You listened. It helped.’

Though, seeing the shadows in his friend’s eyes, Tom wasn’t so sure.

‘Good day?’ Flora asked as Tom walked in.

‘Sort of.’ He ruffled Joey’s hair, made a fuss of Banjo, then came to steal a kiss from Flora. ‘I had to cut someone out of a car today.’

Joey went very still.

‘He skidded on the ice,’ Tom said gently, ‘but he was all right. He wasn’t very well when he got to hospital, but they made him better. He’s got a sore shoulder and a broken ankle, but the doctors told me he’s going to be fine.’

‘That’s good.’ Flora put a mug of tea in front of him.

‘I’ve been thinking,’ he said. ‘I’m going to resign from the fire service.’

‘What?’ She stared at him. ‘Why? You love your job. It’s who you are.’

‘I know.’ He wrinkled his nose. ‘But I think it’s the only way.’

‘The only way to do what, Tom?’

‘I know what I want out of life. I want to be a family with you both,’ Tom said. ‘And my job’s dangerous. It’s not fair to make you take on that burden.’

‘Tom, we love you for who you are—and you’ve always been a firefighter. It’s what you’ve always wanted to do. You’d be miserable doing anything else.’

‘Maybe.’ He looked at Flora and Joey. ‘But you’re worth it.’

‘Don’t we get a say in this?’ Flora asked.

Tom frowned. ‘How do you mean?’

‘We know what you do is dangerous but it’s an important job. Provided you don’t take stupid risks—and you know exactly what I mean by that—I can handle it,’ she told him. ‘Joey?’

Joey frowned. Then he said, ‘I love you, Tom.’

Tom stared at him, completely unable to speak. A month ago, Joey had barely been stringing two words together and had hated being touched; he never, but never spoke about anything emotional. And now, unless his hearing had suddenly gone skewy…

He glanced at Flora, and knew that he’d definitely heard Joey say it.

I love you.

‘I love you too, sweetheart,’ he whispered.

‘If your fire engine had gone to rescue my mum and dad, they’d still be here instead of going to heaven,’ Joey said.

Tom felt as if his soul had just been flayed. The little boy had that much confidence in him? And yet, even though Tom knew he was incredibly committed to his job, he wasn’t sure that he could’ve saved Susie and Kevin. Nobody could’ve been pulled out of a collision like that. ‘Joey, sweetheart, I don’t know if anyone could’ve saved them,’ he said softly.

‘But if anyone could, you could,’ Joey said. ‘And I don’t want someone else to lose their mum and dad because you’re not on the team any more.’

‘Out of the mouths of babes,’ Flora said. ‘He’s got a point. You’re good at what you do. No, you’re amazing at what you do.’

‘But wouldn’t you both be happier if I had a less dangerous job—something that didn’t risk my life?’ he asked.

Flora and Joey looked at each other, clearly considering it, then shook their heads in unison.

‘I’d still be worrying about you,’ Flora said, ‘but I’d be worrying that you were unhappy, not that you were in danger.’

‘So you’d be OK if I stayed as a firefighter?’ He could really have it all—a family
and
his career? It was really that easy? He’d spent days and days trying to work out what he should do, ever since Flora had made him realise that he had to consider Joey before he took the more dangerous risks. And he’d come to the conclusion that there wasn’t a middle way—that he’d have to give up who he was.