Molly and Charles stood in the freezing cold park, it was bonfire night and they had taken Sam to a local bonfire and firework display. However Sam seamed more interested in the fun fair and the fast food stalls with their sweet smelling burgers and onion and colourful candyfloss than he was the actual bonfire.
"here you go" Charles approached molly and handed her a steaming cup of hot chocolate.
" thank you" she said taking it and using it to warm her hands and she sipped slowly and she felt something other than the chocolate warm her insides. She looked at Charles "is there any alcohol in this"
"just a shot of baileys" he smiled
Sam ran back to them excitedly "dad DAD they are starting the fireworks"
With that Charles swooped Sam on to his shoulders and put his arm out for molly to lean in to. She shied away
"will you come up to London with us tomorrow, meet my family and all that?" she asked nervously
"of course I will" he smiled " but why haven't you told them about us"
"because I am scared as to what they might think. Dad will think you are a posh twat and he will hate me saying that I hate where I come from"
Charles pulled molly close and kissed her. "I couldn't care less about what they think of me. The important thing is that I love you and that's all that matters. And besides at least they wont think I am after you for your money"
Molly smiled weakly she knew that he was right but she still felt uneasy about everything.
That night Molly hardly slept. Tossing and turning trying to escape the nightmares that filled her sub-conscious mind. Nightmares about how her dad had banned the whole family from having anything to do with her when she said she wouldn't marry Artan.
She awoke with a start and looked over at the clock on Charles bedside cabinet. It was flashing 4:30 she knew she wouldn't sleep much more so she gently slipped out of bed and picked up Charles chunky winter jumper that lay on the chair and snuck downstairs.
She wandered in to the quiet living room and switched on the telly and turned the sound down so she could just about hear it. She flicked through trying to find something to watch and she found a all night Christmas movie channel.
Molly was just starting to curl up and get comfortable when she heard a creak on the stairs, she whipped her head around to see Charles stood behind her.
"hey, what are you doing up so early" he whispered softly sitting next to her and holding her close.
"couldn't sleep" she said snuggling in to his warmth
"I know, you've been tossing and turning all night"
"sorry" she said with a soft yawn and drifted off to sleep.
She awoke with a start to see the daylight creeping through the small gaps in the curtain and Charles carrying two mugs.
" Hey what time is it?" molly asked rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
" it just after 9" he smiled handing her one of the mugs
They set off for London just after 11, so as to have plenty of time to get there. Molly had sent a text to her mother to let her know that she was on her way home. Charles could see that molly was still extremely nervous and anxious as she sat next to him unusually quiet for her and she playing with Smurf's ring which she still wore around her neck.
"calm down dawsey it wont be that bad I am sure" he said
