AN : I'm no Tony Grounds so I don't own Our Girl. I just like to borrow the characters from time to tome for my own amusement.
The rumbling vibrations of the train soothed Molly's fraught nerves as she lent her head against the train window. Her eyes traced a single raindrop's journey as it crawled across the foggy glass. She remembered as a child she used to sit and watch the raindrops trickle down her window sill. She recalled the thrill of excitement she used to get as she tried to anticipate which drop would reach the finish line at the bottom first. She used to love watching them race each other down the glass, criss -crossing and merging as they went, some halting halfway down, others disappearing off the side only to scatter in the wind.
Looking through the glass she watched the darkening silhouettes of the trees flash past, the crushing ache in her chest gradually easing, as the train ate up the miles taking her away from London. Closer to Bath. Closer to him. She needed to regain her equilibrium. A calmness. Especially after today.
Her medal presentation ceremony had, by all accounts, been a day of celebration. Here she was being commended for an act of bravery. Her. Molly Dawes. Yet, she couldn't shake the conflicting feelings that surged through her body as she stood to attention as her citation was read aloud.
"Private Dawes has been recognised on the operational honours and awards list for her bravery and valour on Op Herrick. Private Dylan Smith was injured and with no regard to her personal safety, she put his life ahead of her own. To save a life whilst being willing to sacrifice your own, is above and beyond the call of duty."
She managed an uncertain smile as she curtseyed, her heart hammering and hands trembling, as the Queen pinned the medal to her uniform. she could help the bubble of pride that overcame her as she observed the straight arms of the silver cross, the four edges ordained with the imperial crowns. The initials E.R clearly visible in the centre. The three vertical strips of white purple and white. She took a deep calming breath. Her voice shook as she muttered a "Thank you Ma'am," to the reigning sovereign. Isn't that what it was all about? Queen and Country. She stood to attention back straight, eyes forward, scanning the crowd to see her Mum, Dad and Nan grinning proudly, cameras at the ready to capture this once in a life time moment. Then it had all gone to shit.
Molly was drawn from her thoughts as the train began to slow as it drew into the station. "Ladies and Gentlemen we are approaching Bath Spa Station. Please ensure you take all your belongings with you and mind the gap." She stood, stretching her stiff muscles as she grabbed her bag and stepped onto the platform. Moving through the throng of people still milling around the station she jostled with the crowd of as she made her way through the barrier and out into the open air. Exiting the station she gazed across the busy street, contemplating calling a taxi, when she felt a hand grip her shoulder.