A/N Ok, which one of you done it? Who let the muse out of it's box? One minute it was happily (and harmlessly) rocking away in a corner, the next it was free and about to wreak havoc!

For those of you new to my stories, there is a muse who compels me to write, it is basically mad, malevolent and evil so I'm just as surprised as you are by what happens. I do try to keep it under control. This outing we have an older and wiser Molly James looking back over events in her life so far. There will be fluff, there will no doubt be some angst and I hope a bit of humour.

Enjoy. x

'But Marina said the Rainforest Café is for babies and that her mummy and daddy take her to the Dorchester when they come to town.' Charlotte Belinda Louise James whined to her mother as the latter, holding her hand, hurried her along Green street.

Molly James rolled her eyes and tried to think of something diplomatic to say about her eight-year-old daughter's friend and the fuckwit pretentious parents at that fuckwit pretentious school. The irony, by contrast, from that world to the maisonette they'd just visited was completely lost on the little girl. Lottie was always delighted to be spoiled by Nanna Belinda and Granddad Dave on a visit to London, despite their humble home, even more so if she visited without her brother. 'But I bet they don't have a mudpit sundae or a quicksand shake at the Dorchester.' Molly tried enthusiastically, 'It would be all boring stuff like cabbage and brussel sprouts.' She said the last two words in her scariest voice and Lottie giggled despite herself. 'Besides,' She added, stopping and bending to face Lottie, 'we said we'd meet Sam, JJ and Daddy at the café and you know Daddy gets grumpy if he doesn't get his Jungle Jelly?' She winked.

Lottie wrinkled her forehead and seemed to consider the problem. Molly smiled at the mannerism. Everyday her daughter seemed to develop more into a miniature version of herself. With her dark hair and wide eyed stare, it was sometimes like looking into a mirror at her childhood self. The little girl was also very much like her in that she tended to say exactly what she was thinking and normally at a volume for maximum parental embarrassment, she also had a stubborn streak so wide it made her father look like a complete pushover.

'We said we'd meet the boys there and it will be difficult to rearrange what with the tube and that, do you think you could manage to slum it this once?' Molly asked with a hopeful grin.

Lottie sighed theatrically. 'Oh all right, but only because Daddy really likes jelly.'

Inwardly Molly sighed, grateful for dodging the potential tantrum bullet, even if it did mean playing the daddy card.

Taking Lottie's hand once again she prepared to set off for the tube station with renewed vigour when someone suddenly backed out of a shop doorway negotiating a pushchair and nearly barged them out of the way.

'Oi, watch it.' Molly said.

The woman turned to face her, ready for a confrontation. They both stopped, eyes widened in surprise at mutual recognition. There was an extended and awkward silence.

Lottie looked from one adult to the other and back again in interest.

'Proud Mary!'

'Molly Dawes!'

The two women exclaimed at the same time as they eyed each other suspiciously. Their last encounter, over sixteen years ago, had ended angrily.

'Once upon a time I would have knocked your teeth down your throat, but why should I make you better looking.' Molly had spat and Mary realised her friend knew all about her and Artan, Molly's then boyfriend.

Molly cleared her throat. 'Long time no see Mare. How… how are you?' By the looks of it life had not been exactly easy for her former frenemy. Without the benefit of army training, Mary had filled out as she'd reached her thirties and in addition to the snotty nosed child in the buggy, another little one was obviously on the way. The leggings and oversized t-shirt were a far cry from the tiny skirts and low cut tops of her youth and years of straightening and dying her hair had left it worse for wear. The fact that Proud Mary was also giving her the once over made Molly grateful she'd decided on a designer skirt and good coat ensemble today instead of her usual jeans and trainers.

'I'm good ta.' Mary said with a sniff as she once more eyed Molly up and down. 'Molly Dawes, I don't believe it.'

'It's Molly James now as it goes.' Molly said smiling.

'Yeah, I heard you got married. Some army bloke wasn't it?' Mary couldn't resist a small snark on the word army.

'My Daddy's a Major.' Lottie piped up, looking defiantly at the newcomer.

Mary blinked in confusion at the child as Molly put a hand on her daughter's head and stroked her hair. 'Major pain in the arse sometimes.' She said smiling.

'Aren't they all.' Mary agreed.

The tension eased. 'This is Lottie, our youngest.'

Mary nodded at the little girl before indicating the buggy. 'This is our Tyrone, he's the baby at the minute until this one makes an appearance. Then there's Rafayel, Melik, and Ruben at my mum's.'

'Bleedin' hell. That's a shed loada… boys!' Molly managed to save.

'Yeah, I'm hoping this one's a girl.' Mary said patting her stomach. If she'd noticed Molly's almost gaff she didn't say so.

'I was glad when this one came along.' Molly agreed. 'What wiv blokes all day at work then Charlie and two boys at home, it was all a bit too much testosterone you know?' Molly laughed.

'You've got two boys?'

'Well, I've got one son, the other is my stepson from Charlie's first marriage.' Molly explained. Although, she always thought of them as her two boys. Sam had always been as much part of the family as her own offspring, even if it was on a part time basis, and had since grown into a strapping eighteen-year-old with a quiet and easy going nature. Her son, JJ or Joseph, George David James was, growing like a weed and already dwarfed her. In her biased opinion, he was about the most beautiful boy on the planet with his dark eyes and chiselled features, she had no doubt he would break a few hearts. Unlike his sister, JJ was quiet and a little shy, that is until he got to know you, with a love of sport and computer games. His hero worship of his older brother was only slightly overshadowed by that for his father.

'Look, do you fancy getting a cuppa or a drink or summut?' Mary asked.

Looking at her watch Molly frowned. 'We're supposed to be meeting the boys in town. They've been at Twickenham for the army navy rugby match.' Molly rolled her eyes, 'so we came to see the grandparents didn't we Lots?'

Before she could say anymore a loud ringing emanated from Molly's bag. There was a pause as she rootled through the contents before finally locating it. 'Speak of the devil.' She said with a grin before answering.

'Hey you, what's up?'

'Listen, can we meet you a bit later. We've bumped into Elvis and he wants to buy Sam a beer, he hasn't seen him since he turned eighteen.' Charles said.

'Just happened to bump into Elvis?' Molly said, her tone suggesting she didn't believe that for a minute.

'Ok, well maybe not bumped into. Look, Sam's going off to basic training soon, Elvis can give him some extra tips.' Charles tried.

'Well that should get him thrown out on his ear then, at least Rebecca will be pleased.' Molly snorted.

'We won't be late.' Charles added.

Meanwhile Lottie was helpfully explaining to Mary who her mother was talking about. 'That's my uncle Elvis. He's Daddy's friend.'

'Fine,' Molly relented, concentrating on the call. 'but makes sure it's only one or two, you can't expect a twelve year old to have to carry you, Elvis and Sam half way across London.' Molly said jokingly into the receiver. 'And no JJ cannot have any beer before he asks, and yes, I will know.'

'Uncle Elvis is a mad bastard.' Lottie announced loudly.

Molly's eyes opened in horror. 'We don't say that.' She gasped.

'Daddy does.' Lottie said folding her arms.

'Was that Lottie?' Charles asked down the receiver.

'Yes.' Molly hissed back as her husband collapsed into hysterical laughter at the other end of the line. 'This is exactly why she says things like that, because you think it's funny.'

Lottie had her father so firmly wrapped around her finger it was shocking. Molly didn't know if it was because she was a girl, or that she was the only one of his children who's birth he'd managed to attend, but the moment he'd held his new-born daughter in his arms Charles had been utterly under her spell. He always maintained it was because she reminded him so much of Molly.

'It is funny.' He snorted.

'No, really isn't.' She said, supressing her own smirk. 'You should be careful what she overhears.'

Proud Mary looked on, bemused at the child who was staring earnestly up into her face.

'But Mummy thinks he's a complete and utter cock...' Lottie was cut off by Molly's hand firmly covering her mouth. Charles meanwhile, having overheard, was almost breathless with laughter.

'You can shut up an 'all.' Molly snapped at him. 'Ok so we'll meet you at eight yeah?'

The phonecall ended and Molly once more turned her attention to her former friend. She had to admit, a certain part of her was curious as to how her life might have played out if she'd stayed in her old stomping ground What if she'd never joined the army, never married Charles. It looked like she might just have the opportunity to find out. 'Men eh? Well it looks like we've got a couple of hours free after all, you still fancy that drink?'