Thank you to everyone still reading and reviewing, I can't tell you how much it means to me that you are enjoying this revisit to the family. As i've already finished the story, I'm just going to go ahead and post the rest of it. Happy reading 😘😘

Breathing a sigh of relief the adults gathered with several bottles of wine and beer in the drawing room. They had yet to work out sleeping arrangements for all their guests. Elvis and Charles were talking quietly in one corner as Molly and Rebecca entered, looking up and smiling as spaces were made available for them.

"Rebecca, you've probably guessed that there's something going on, that's why all the lads are here." "No shit Sherlock" muttered Molly causing Rebecca, who was seated next to her, to snigger. "Look, there's no easy way to say this. We think Simon may come after you." Molly felt her stiffen and heard the sharp intake of breath. "It's okay sweetie, you're safe. He isn't going to get you. We're going to get him first." Taking hold of Rebecca's hand and squeezing Molly remembered her friend saying that to her in a compound in Afghanistan. "The lads are going to look after us, they know what they're doing and I'm a trained killer." She finished with a grin. Charles grinned too and there were several snorts and groans from the lads. "Yeah, yeah she's even got the medal to prove it." This nugget of information distracted them for a short while as the story of how she got her Military Cross was shared with those not in the know. "Shit, you've got balls." admired Dino. "I fucking hope not!" The horror in Charles's voice had them all descending into laughter.

"Focus up guys," Elvis decided to take charge of the gathering. " The lads are going to take it in turns keeping watch on a six hourly cycle. Jackson is going to set up surveillance equipment at the front and back of the house so we can monitor any traffic, foot or motorised, and check for anomalies. Spunky is carrying out intel, liaising with the big wigs, and any contacts we're given. Charles is a potential target so we're keeping him off the front line so to speak." Molly could feel Rebecca becoming more and more tense as he spoke. "Don't worry, it's just a precaution. He'll probably be picked up before he gets anywhere near the house." She tried to reassure her."This is all my fault, I shouldn't have got you involved." Echoes of my past thought Molly. Hopefully this will end without anyone getting shot.

"Rebecca, sweetheart, we know this will be hard for you, fuck, harder than any of us can imagine I bet, but we need your help. We need you to tell us all you can about Simon and any of his friends or family that you met, or he talked about. Do you think you can do that?" Everyone was so engrossed waiting for her answer that the drawing room door being pushed forcefully open caused more than one heart to stop beating and numerous hands to reach for non existent weapons. "Ooof," Manny focussed their attention. "Oh shit, he hasn't been out for a walk today." groaned Molly. "Ooof, Ooof" agreed the big dog nudging the body nearest to him which just happened to be Mansfield, Molly saw with a wry smile. "Looks like you're on poop duty." sniggered Brains. Grumbling as he got to his feet, Mike looked down at the dog, "it better not be smelly 'cause I have a delicate stomach." His only response a wag of a tail which was strong enough to nearly knock him off his feet. Once he had left, Molly suggested a brief break until he returned. Also giving Rebecca chance to absorb what had already been said and prepare herself for what she needed to do.

It was nearly half an hour before the two Mansfields returned, one flopping exhausted down on to the floor, the other barging his way past bodies to settle on Rebecca's feet as if sensing she needed support. "Either I'm out of condition or I need to start eating what that dog eats." "You already do, that's why you're out of condition" mocked Brains as Fingers intoned, "The Fifty Sausage Challenge!"

"Right, back on task guys. Rebecca? Simon? Where did you two meet?" Elvis again took the lead. "A friend introduced us, well, more of a colleague really. I was helping out at a charity shop and Amira, she was another volunteer, suggested going out for a drink. I wasn't sure because I didn't know her that well but Charles had Sam so I was at a bit of a loose end. We went to The Chequers, that gastro pub," she looked at Molly for recognition, "I'd not been in it before but it was pretty quiet. Simon came in just after us and joined us at our table." "Was he alone?" queried Spunky, tapping information into the tablet he held. "That time yes. He just chatted with us for a bit then left. When I went in the shop the next week Amira said he really liked me and suggested we meet up with him again. He was with another man this time, Andre, I think he was called. He and Amira left shortly after they arrived leaving me with Simon. Things just progressed from there." She was shaking as she relayed this information, "I should have realised he wasn't really interested in me, I'm older and well…." "Nah, don't be daft love, you might be a bit older but I still would." piped up Dino from his spot on the floor resulting in a couple of sniggers and stunned inhalations plus a nudge in the ribs from Elvis. "Well I would, no offence intended love but you're still a looker." He defended his comment bringing a shy smile to Rebecca's face.

"So I take it he pushed the relationship?" Elvis tried to keep the conversation on track. It was getting late and he was aware they wouldn't be able to talk in the morning when the children were about. "Yes, I admit it was very flattering. He paid me compliments all the time, listened when I moaned about Charles being away all the time. Now I think about it he was always interested to know when Charles would be away. I thought it was for Sam's sake but… Anyway we got married three months after meeting. He said he just wanted a quiet wedding, just us because his father had died recently." "Did you ever meet his mum or any other family?" "There was a man called Thomas who he said was his cousin, he came a few times. He was the one who bought the furniture and things when we went to America." Mention of America obviously reminded her of leaving Sam and caused her to stumble. She reached for the wine glass that had been untouched on the side table, drinking half of it in one go. "How long before he started hitting you?" Charles asked quietly, his fists clenched at his sides. "About six months after the wedding. You were away and Sam was playing up. He never hit Sam, I promise, but he did frighten him. I always tried to get between them. Sam was writing something about jobs and asked him what his job was. You know Sam, he never gives up when an answer is too vague. Anyway, I could see he was getting angry so I sent Sam to his room to finish his work. That was the first time he hit me, said I'd been pushing Sam to ask questions."

"What did he say his job was?" All eyes turned to Molly who up until that point had been silent, "I mean, I'm presuming he went out to work each day or did he work from home? He must have been getting money from somewhere to keep you."

Rebecca looked down at her hands holding the glass, a tide of red working it's way into her face. "He took over the finances, my bank account, my savings that had the money mum left me, the household accounts, said it was a man's job. I can't believe I've been so stupid. He said he was a fundraiser for a charity so sometimes worked from home. He had a tablet that he took everywhere with him. I remember trying to use it once to look something up while he was upstairs but it was password protected. He beat me for that. I was so ashamed of what was happening, he said it was my own fault, that I was a bad wife and mother, that was why Charles hadn't wanted me, why he preferred to be away."

Charles opened his mouth to speak but found anger had robbed him of words. "It wasn't you Rebecca, he was just as bad when we first got together, the army was everything." Molly put her arm around Rebecca at the same time giving Charles an apologetic look. "It's getting late, Rebecca must be getting tired and I know I am. Why don't you, Elvis and Rebecca shut yourselves in here tomorrow and I'll keep the kids out of the way. You can tell the rest of the lads anything they need to know." There were nods from the various bodies sprawled around the floor and on chairs.

"Yeah, okay." Elvis agreed reluctantly. "Who's on first shift? Just stay inside tonight but check front and back regularly. In the morning Jackson will set up the cameras so we can go down to one man monitoring." Mansfield and Spanner were taking first watch so Molly directed the others to the spare rooms. 2 Section claimed the room Gina and Max generally used which left the playroom for the Special Forces lads. Charles brought down the inflatable beds they usually used when all the Dawes and James clans descended at the same time.

Molly went with Rebecca up to the second floor, "How are you feeling? You did really well. You're a very strong woman Rebecca and whatever that dick said to you, he was wrong. You are a fantastic mother and Sam is a fantastic kid thanks to you." Rebecca was trembling as she sat on the side of the bed. "Thanks for calling a halt. I'm not sure I could have held it together much longer. I'm so ashamed Molly, I let this happen, it's all my fault." Putting her head in her hands she let the tears fall. "Nope, not having that," said Molly forcefully. "Him abusing you and being a terrorist is no more your fault than England being a crap football team. He's the one to blame, he's the one did this, doing this, not you. You are the victim here but that is nothing to be ashamed of. It will take time but you'll find yourself again, I promise, and we're going to be here to help and to get you whatever help you need. Now, will you be okay to sleep? Is there anything I can get you?" "Maybe Manny…" Rebecca began just as the door was pushed open and the big dog strolled in, taking his place on the bed as if it was the most natural thing in the world. "I swear that bloody dog takes lessons from Charles." Laughing Molly gave Rebecca a brief hug and left her to get ready for bed.

Back downstairs in her own room she undressed and waited for Charles to join her, determined not to fall asleep again. It wasn't long before the door was pushed open and, like Manny, Charles strolled in and took his place beside her on the bed, not bothering to undress. "Just a few minutes and then I have to go back downstairs. Spunky has had intel from a source up in Scotland that we need to look through. Is Rebecca okay? I haven't said 'thank you' for everything you've done for her today." He leaned over to kiss her, holding his hand to the side of her face. Coming up for air, Molly couldn't help sniggering, "Wait until you get the credit card bill." "Oh shit, what've you bought this time? Before I forget, can you sort a mobile for her so she can keep in touch with George?" Last time he'd had a huge credit card bill the new super king size bed they were now lying on had arrived. Molly saying she'd never had a new bed in her entire life, and the fact it was very comfortable even if they did only use about a third of it most of the time, meant he forgave her. Chuckling she pulled him down again, tempting him to stay, with her kisses and wandering hands.

The kisses deepened as her hand moved lower cupping him firmly until he could stand it no longer. "Fuck it, they can wait ten minutes." He said reaching for his belt.

Back downstairs the drawing room had been transformed into a centre for operations. Spunky had set up his tablet, laptop, printer and mobile phone in one corner along with large display boards that had appeared from somewhere although Charles had no idea where. They displayed maps, photos of Simon and known associates and any information they currently had, including names given to them by Rebecca. Jackson was ferreting away on the other side of the room setting up a bank of monitors ready to be linked to the cameras he would install in the morning. Dino and Peanut along with Fingers and Brains has headed off to get some shuteye before their shift on watch. Spanner and Mansfield were in the kitchen making coffee in preparation for the night ahead. Which left Charles and Elvis to listen to what Spunky had got and decide how urgent it was.

"Right, the lads up in Glasgow that have been monitoring the complex saw movement there late this afternoon in one of the outbuildings. It was searched on the day Rebecca was picked up and nothing found so it's a mystery what they're doing in there. One of the men is known to them and they followed him to a house in Workington. The other bloke, as yet unidentified is still in Glasgow. They've sent pictures of both to see if Rebecca can identify either of them. It looks like they could be heading South, possibly Manchester or Liverpool." Charles saw Elvis's reaction and knew he was thinking of his ex-fiancé Georgie and the terrorist incident she had been involved in. "Any news on Simon? Do they think he's still in Glasgow or with the bloke in Workington?" "Nothing as yet but there's an all ports alert out." "Thanks Spunky. Go and get your head down mate. Busy day tomorrow."

Moving to the side they left him to record the latest information and photographs on the boards. "So, do you think Rebecca is telling the truth that she didn't know anything? Can she really be that naïve?" Elvis always doubted everything until he gained proof otherwise. "I think she's telling the truth. She was pretty stupid to get involved but it sounds like he's an excellent conman and she's not the first he duped. She was at a pretty low ebb after the divorce and I didn't help, going through my own demons after the shooting. Basically left everything for her to deal with including full time care of Sam. A good looking bloke paying her attention, no surprise she fell for it really. As for the rest… Well, George set really high expectations for his girls, wasn't best pleased when we divorced. I can understand why she wouldn't want to admit she'd fucked up again. I'm just grateful to her for getting Sam out of it." Nodding Elvis sighed, "Okay, let's see what she says in the morning." Patting him on the back Charles made his way back upstairs to bed, looking in on the children as he passed their rooms. Elvis went to the kitchen to let Mansfield and Spanner know he was heading up.

He was on the verge of going into his room when he heard a sound. At first he wasn't sure what it was but then it got louder, sounding like an animal in pain. Was Kitty trapped somewhere? The door at the other end of the hall opened and Brains stuck his head out. "Should I get Molly?" he asked inclining his head towards Rebecca's door. Unsure if he was doing the right thing he told Brains to hang on a few minutes. No point waking Molly if he could deal with it. Carefully pushing open the door he called out, "Rebecca, it's Elvis. Are you okay sweetheart?" There was no reply so he moved further into the room. The bed was empty so he quickly scanned the room. The whimpering seemed to be coming from the corner near the wardrobe. He began moving toward the sound when he heard a growl. Manny was lying on the floor across the wardrobe door which he realise was partially open. Crouching down he let Manny sniff him, "I only want to help her pal." He patted Manny on the head and eased his way past him. Gently pulling the door open wider he continued to speak reassuringly to both Rebecca and the dog. He could just make out her curled outline in the dim light. "Rebecca, it's Elvis. You're safe sweetheart. Nobody is going to hurt you. You can come out now. Here, let me help you up." She flinched away from his proffered hand, cowering deeper into the wardrobe, making a keening sound.

Standing up he moved back to the door, to Brains who had waited out of sight. "We're gonna need Molly. Tell Charlie, sorry, yeah?" Waiting until Brains had moved away, he made his way back over to the wardrobe. "It's okay, Molly's coming. She'll help you. You're safe." Even as he said it, he wondered if she would ever feel safe again. The pounding of feet up the stairs heralded the arrival of Molly and Charles. He heard a bedroom door close and presumed Brains had returned to bed. Molly eased past him to the space in front of the wardrobe. Charles stayed in the hallway ready to intervene or help, whichever was needed. "'Becca, it's Molly, is there room in there for two or you gonna come out and talk to me?" There was a slight movement inside the wardrobe. "What you doing in there anyway, making room for all your new clothes?" She tried to keep the conversation light and the focus away from what was really causing Rebecca to cower in fear. "We've got more shopping to do in the morning. I've found a fab site where we can order make up. I think I'm due a new lippy." As she talked she had reached for Rebecca's hand and was gently rubbing it to calm her. "We could have a real girly pamper session, me you and Lucy. I used to work in a nail bar y'know." She heard a loud groan from out in the hallway. Rebecca must have heard it too because there was a quiet laugh from inside the wardrobe. "D'you think we could sit on the bed and chat, hon, 'cause this floor is pretty hard on my arse." An even louder snigger from the hallway and Molly's response of "Piss off Elvis" had the desired effect. Rebecca climbed out of the wardrobe and in to Molly's arms.

"I'm scared Molly. He's going to get me isn't he? He's going to hurt my beautiful boy and you and Charles and the little ones, all because I'm here." She was shaking and tears were falling down her cheeks. "I was asleep and I saw him, he wanted to punish me for talking. He was hitting me, chained me to the wardrobe, but there was more, he said I'd be sorry when he got back from Manchester. He was going to make me suffer." Glancing over her shoulder to make sure Charles and Elvis could hear what was being said, she saw them nod. Manoeuvring her over to the bed they were immediately joined by Manny. "Did he go to Manchester or was he on his way there when you were found?" "He went a lot, to see his brother he said. He always chained me up when he went there because he was gone a long time." "Oh, right. So he always told you when he was going?" "Yes, he didn't always chain me when he was around but he kept me in the bedroom. I wasn't allowed to talk to anyone."

Keeping the conversation going, she helped Rebecca back in to bed and pulled the covers over her. "But you did talk to someone didn't you. Was that on the last day? Is that why he was punishing you?" "Yes, one of the women brought me food, she had her veil off and I recognised her. She said I would be gone soon and Samir would be hers again. She called me names and spat at me." "Who was she Rebecca? The woman you recognised." "It was Amira, the woman who introduced me to Simon."

Molly could see she was exhausted and getting anxious again so changed the subject. Talking about rubbish, just to take her mind off her situation until she could fall asleep. She could see the two men had moved from the doorway and wanted desperately to join them to discuss what they'd just learned but Rebecca needed her more. Her initial feelings of pity for the other woman were gradually turning more towards compassion and friendship. "We need to get you a phone tomorrow. Any preference? What about one of them iPhone X thingies? I quite fancy one of them myself. And d'you know what, we forgot a bag and a purse. We're shit at this shopping lark." By this time both women were giggling. Molly was sharing stories of some of her worse fashion horrors including the bleached blond hair and sparkly spandex mini skirts. It was good to see the smile back on Rebecca's face. "Do you think you can sleep now?... I can stay with you if you want." She added quickly as she saw the fear beginning to return. "Tell you what, shove up." Nudging Rebecca and Manny across the bed Molly lay down with her and switched the lamp off leaving the faint glow from the landing to light the room.

"What was it like having a bleeding copper for a Dad? Did you do loads of naughty stuff just to see if you could? I would've." Molly kept the conversation focussed on the past rather than Rebecca's nightmare present. "Mind I did that and my Dad was just a dick." which caused Rebecca to draw in a shocked breath and then a snort of laughter. "My Dad could be a bit of a dick too," began Rebecca hesitantly. "He had a lot of rules that we had to stick to. Times to be in, people we could and couldn't mix with. Actually, Charles was my rebellion." That brought Molly to attention. "Bloody hell Rebecca, you must have had a really sheltered life if Charles was your rebellion." "Well, Yes, I suppose I did. I met Charles when I was 15, he was 16 and good looking even then and a bit of a bad boy, but it was Andrew I really fancied. He was 18 and Lauren, my sister was dating him and I just sort of hung around hoping he'd notice me and decide I was the love of his life and dump Lauren. He and Charles would get up to all sorts of mischief when their dad was away. Bunking off school and getting the train to London, using fake ID to get into pubs. I started tagging along and eventually somehow I always ended up with Charles so we became an item." Molly was trying hard to take in these new revelations about her husband. "And there was the time he dared me to have a tattoo so I said I would if he shaved his hair off. Andrew did it for him and Gina was livid." "And the tattoo?" Grateful for the dark to hide her blushes, Rebecca admitted, "I got a pair of lips on my left buttock. Was painful to sit down for a while." Molly was crippled with laughter by this point, "Rebecca, I always thought you were so prim and there you were, telling the world to 'kiss your arse'"

They continued to swap stories of their growing up in two vastly different environments and social circles but they were finding they had more in common than they could ever expect. Eventually exhaustion took over and they both fell asleep on either side of the bed, Manny a fur bolster down the middle. It was there that Charles found her in the early hours of the morning. He could have just left her, it would probably have been kinder to. She was exhausted and needed to sleep and Rebecca needed her. But he needed her too. He found he had difficulty sleeping without her by his side. So, being as quiet as possible so as to not wake Rebecca, he carefully lifted her into his arms, holding her tight against his chest and headed back downstairs back to their room. Molly didn't stir until he was manoeuvring her round to place her in bed. "What are you doing?" she enquired. "I'm putting you back in the right bed. I'm grateful that you've been helping Rebecca but I need you too." Sliding in behind her he pulled her tight against his front, letting her feel for herself just how much he needed her.

Wriggling backwards Molly began to rock herself against him, encouraging him, sliding one leg up and over his, bending it and using her foot to pull him closer. The movements were arousing her as well as him so when he reached down to push her pyjama bottoms out of the way she was already ahead of him. Pushing them down and off, freeing her movements to gyrate against him until he took control. Holding her hips while he slid into her warmth he groaned with sheer relief and pleasure. Moving together, their actions urgent, it didn't take long for them to reach completion before falling in to a satiated sleep spooned together.