Charles eased the car into a space outside Molly's block of flats. He was excited to be seeing her after two weeks. He had changed his suit three times and discarded at least ten ties this morning.
He hadn't known what had come over him the day he made the video let alone copying it and sending it to her. Sam seemed to be excited that his Dad was happy and laughing and had made comments to that effect several times. He felt young and vibrant again and as he was only 32 he knew he should be feeling that. Before Molly he had felt like an old man for some reason, she had brought him back to life.
Rebecca had certainly noticed it remarking on the change when he dropped Sam off over the weekend. He almost thought she had been checking him out but had stopped when Simon her new boyfriend had appeared at the door.
Molly had texted him after she had seen the video it had secretly delighted him as he took it to mean she now had his number in her phone. Thinking of her kept him awake many nights he thought of her hair, her smile, her sassy walk, the way she said his name. He had it bad he knew it.
He looked up and took a deep breath as he saw her walking towards the car her hair caught up in a pony tail swinging back and forth as she walked quickly. He could feel his heart pounding and checked his hair in the mirror patting down an errant curl. As she reached the car she was smiling and made eye contact as she opened the door and looked in.
'So Mr James you made it back in one piece then.'
'I did indeed Miss Dawes. You getting in or just going to stand there smiling at me all day?'
'Ha ha well I've kinda enjoyed the bus the last couple of weeks. Just debating whether to head for the bus stop or get in.'
'Well, don't let me stop you.' Charles gave her a wink and put the car into gear looking over his shoulder as if to reverse back.
'No, no I'm joking wait.' Molly was giggling as she threw her bag and jacket in. She sat down in the car and reached for the seat belt.
He put the car back into neutral and reached behind his seat for a bag. As he dropped it onto her lap he laughed and spoke quickly. 'I didn't pick anything it was all Sam I just wanted to get that out there before you see whats in the bag.'
'Is this for me? You brought me a present?'
He nodded and gave her a swift grin as he prodded the bag motioning for her to retrieve the items inside.
'Its to say thanks for watering my plants even though I think you drowned a couple.' He smirked as he noticed the indignant look fly across her face. 'I'm joking you did a great job, they are flourishing and no one has ever alphabetised my mail before.'
'Oh I thought it might be easier, never had to sort someone's mail before.' She smiled shyly as he grinned back at her. He saw the blush rising from her neck and felt his pulse quicken as he watched her. He wanted to tell her he had missed her, missed this. But he felt tongue tied like a teenager again. Why did that happen when he was around her? Man up James for Gods sake he said under his breath.
She rooted in the bag pulling out a box of coco pops. 'Cereal?'
'Like I said I didn't choose anything. He loves coco pops he thought you would too.'
'Did he now, wonder why he thought that? You been rooting around in my desk at work?'
'Excuse me?'
'I love coco pops they are like my favourite cereal. I have a box in the bottom drawer of my desk. Never know when you might need a fix.'
'You sound like an addict Molly.'
'Yeah thats me boss, coco pops addict. Ha maybe I can join a group or something.'
'Hmmmm maybe. Right lets get this show on the road or else we will get stuck in serious traffic be late for work and then all hell will break loose.' He smiled at her as he looked over his shoulder to reverse.
'What?' She raised an eyebrow as she looked at him.
'What?' He laughed carrying on speaking. 'Good to be back thats all.'
She laughed again. 'Hmmmm yeah alright.'
'No I mean it, I'm glad to be back.'
'You missed being at work? I guess thats why you get a posh office and have a reserved parking space. I don't know any bleeder who is happy going back to work.'
'Ha, well they don't get to drive in with you Molly.' He glanced across her at he stopped at a set of traffic lights.
'You are without doubt the best part of my day and the one thing I missed whilst I was away. Oh and Smurf of course. His stories of Newport just brighten up my day.'
'What, you hardly know me? How could you have missed me?'
'Well I think I would know what I missed and didn't miss.'
She laughed shyly. 'Did you really miss me?'
'I did couldn't wait to get back. Don't get me wrong I love spending time with Sam he's part of my life. But, I wanted to come back.'
He watched her as she digested this information her face turned towards him her eyes confused and slightly wary.
As she went to speak his phone began ringing. He put a finger up to shhh her and hit the button.
'Rebecca to what do I owe the pleasure?'
'Charles what the bloody hell was going on on that boat?'
'Well, first off it wasn't a boat it was a barge we had a brilliant holiday and second I have no idea what you are talking about?'
'You made a video Charles are you doing porno movies or something?'
He spluttered as he tried to reply. 'What the hell are you talking about?'
'Sam says you made a video for someone called Molly and that you kept talking about her throughout the holiday. I hope you are not going to introduce him to her anytime soon. We need to discuss this if you are seeing someone.'
'You finished?' His voice was steely as he spoke. 'Rebecca you lost the right to tell me what to do quite a while ago we are divorced now you do remember that don't you?'
'Of course I do. What I mean is.'
'I know exactly what you mean and you need to stop. Molly is a friend a good friend actually but to be honest that is none of your business.'
'Charles.'
'Rebecca.' He looked at Molly and rolled his eyes causing her to giggle.
'Charles is there someone with you?'
'With me, what you mean in the car with me right now, this very minute?'
'Yes Charles right now.' Rebecca let out a huff as she finished talking at which point Charles aimed an imaginary gun at the phone and pulled the trigger. This made Molly giggle more. She tried to stifle it.
'Charles what is going on?'
'Sorry Bec-a, can't hear, cutting out, me you.'
'I can hear you perfectly.'
'Not working sorry I.' He hit the off button and burst out laughing,
Molly wagged a finger. 'OMG you are gonna be in so much trouble.'
'Yeah, whatever sanctimonious…..'
'Charles, Charles I'm still here are you there?'
'You hit the mute button you numpty turn it off.'
'Which button is that do it Molly will you I can't stop the car.'
Molly hit the off button as Rebecca called out again. There was silence in the car and then they looked at each other and burst out laughing.
He spoke first. 'Perfect. Lets put the radio on and forget that bloody woman. This is not what car share is about. Sophie will kill me if you ever tell her what goes on on the way into work in my car.'
'What?'
'You know me spilling my guts out, singing my heart out, shouting my mouth off to my ex just normal stuff.'
Molly laughed. 'Yeah you are high maintenance.'
'Me? Nah!'
He gave her a grin as he went to hit the radio on button. He stopped and looked at her. 'But I meant it.'
'Huh meant what?'
'I missed you Molly, I, well I like you I like you a lot. Not in a boss type way or a we car share type way well I do but, more in a I want to get to know you better type way.' He held her gaze until she felt herself blushing and dropped her head.
'Right I see.'
'You do? I'm not sure I do. I'm not explaining myself very well. I want to take you on a date Molly. Do people still date? It's a while since I was out there. I think about you all the time. Its crazy I'm like a teenager day dreaming about you. I also have developed verbal diarrhoea must learn to engage brain and shut mouth.' He finally stopped speaking and gazed down at her as she raised her head and met his eyes. His brown eyes darkening as he held eye contact with her.
Molly giggled as she spoke feeling nervous, giddy. 'But like you are one of the bosses. I mean your like the number 2 in the company erm, like I don't know what to say.'
'I wont always be your boss Molly.' His voice came out in a whisper.
She looked around her and realised he had stopped the car and was parked in a lay-by. Turning her head back to him she spoke quietly.
'I guess. I like you too Charles and it'd be nice to go out.'
'Nice, well thats a start Molly Dawes.' He turned the radio on and pulled the car back into traffic singing to the song playing. Molly rolled her eyes what was it about The Smiths she couldn't imagine anything worse but he seemed to know all the words…. She watched him under her lashes singing and smiling. He looked happy like he did on the video. He gave her a brief look as he sang, giving her a wink which made her blush.
Good times for a change
See, the luck I've had
Can make a good man
Turn bad
So please please please
Let me, let me, let me
Let me get what I want
This time
Haven't had a dream in a long time
See, the life I've had
Can make a good man bad
So for once in my life
Let me get what I want
Lord knows, it would be the first time
Lord knows, it would be the first time
Molly realised the car had come to a halt and they were in the car park already. She hadn't spoken the rest of the journey in. She had sat there stunned, silent had he really said that to her? Maybe life was looking up. She snuck a look at him he was staring straight at her.
'So.' His eyes were warm and his face close to hers as he leaned towards her.
'So like what do we do now then?' She could feel her hands getting clammy. Oh please don't reach for them she thought.
'Well Molly Dawes I'm going to take you out Friday night for dinner if your free and we are going to have a nice evening.'
She nodded. 'Okay Friday.'
'Molly theres just one more thing.'
'There is what more can you say.'
'Oh Molly Dawes don't talk just…' His lips descended onto hers capturing her unawares and she made a mental note to text Nan it definitely was some kiss…..
As always thanks for the very kind comments. Powering thru the writers block. ;o)
Thanx to the ff FB group for not letting me forget I had to get this chapter out and Bea/Helen who never let me forget!