Molly misses the train
The morning after Elvis' party Charles has arranged to visit his friend and former CO, Major Roger Beck at his London home. He's got quite a hangover and is regretting having agreed to be there for 9am. In order to attempt to clear his head, he's decided to walk and is lost in his thoughts as he follows the river towards Beck's address in Putney.
He didn't get a huge amount of sleep last night, being late to bed and then finding himself lying awake thinking about Molly. He was more than a tad unnerved by their meeting. He was taken aback by how intense his attraction to her was. She had stirred something in him which he didn't think he'd ever feel, having all but given up on women after the disaster of his marriage to Rebecca.
He couldn't get over the strong feeling that he'd met her before, but couldn't figure out where or when that might have been. She hadn't seemed to have recognised him, so maybe he was mistaken or it was just wishful thinking on his part.
He'd spent the night desperately trying to remember some of the details about her that Qaseem had mentioned. He recalled that Qaseem had spoken very fondly of her. She's also clearly made a great impression on Elvis.
He was also acutely aware that he hadn't exactly made the best first impression with her. Although she hadn't seemed particularly phased by their conversation, he cringed in embarrassment at how he'd come across. He'd have to do much better next time he saw her, which he hoped would be soon.
He rings on the doorbell of Beck's house, takes a deep breath and stands up a bit straighter and subconsciously shifts into Army mode, old habits dying hard.
He's surprised to hear a woman's angry voice swearing on the other side of the door, "Who the bleedin' 'ell is ringing on the soddin' doorbell at this bleedin' time of the mornin'?"
He's even more surprised when the door is opened by a slightly dishevelled and bleary eyed Molly, who is wearing little more than a West Ham football shirt. In his hungover state, he can't for the life of him process why Molly is opening the door to Beck's house and is caught completely off-guard, "Molly?".
She looks just as surprised as he is, although she no longer sounds angry, "Charles?! What are you doin' 'ere?"
He's completely distracted by her half naked appearance and doesn't quite know where to place his eyes. He's also desperately trying to work out what rational explanation there can be for this situation. Last he'd heard Beck was a happily married man, "Erm, I'm here to see Roger?"
She appears confused by this and also seems to become a bit self-conscious of herself, tugging down her t-shirt and drawing her arms across her chest, "Who the bleedin' hell is Roger?
He has absolutely no idea what is going on here, but this definitely isn't how he envisaged meeting her again, "You know, Roger Beck, Major Beck."
Her face changes again, to one of recognition this time and she's giggling, "Ah, next door. Major Beck lives next door."
He feels a ridiculously massive sense of relief at this news, but remembers his manners, "Shit, I'm sorry. I've got the wrong house. I've woken you up. Shit, I'm sorry."
She's smiling broadly at him, "It's alright."
God she's beautiful when she smiles. He's aware that he's grinning at her like an idiot. He feels tongue-tied and unexpectedly unsure of himself around her. After what feels like an eternity, but is probably only a few seconds he manages to get some words out, "Um, great party last night."
She's still smiling at him, holding his gaze, "Thanks."
They're interrupted by a male voice from inside, "Who is it Molls? Whoever it is, tell them to go away."
The moment between them is broken and her expression has changed to one of apology, "Sorry, Charles. I'd better be goin'."
"Yes, of course. Sorry again. Bye."
She's closed the door and he's left standing on the doorstep wondering what the bloody hell just happened. He feels utterly dejected. He should have known, should have realised. Of course, someone like her would have a boyfriend.
Molly catches the train
Charles gets up early the morning after the party, not that he's managed much sleep. He feels completely ashamed at how he acted last night and wonders if it is too early to go around to see Molly and beg for forgiveness.
It had all really gone to shit when Molly's ex-boyfriend, Dylan, had turned up at the party. Molly had been shocked to see him, and had marched straight up to him and told him in no uncertain terms that he wasn't welcome. He's not sure what Dylan had said to her in response, but she'd grabbed his arm and taken him outside. They'd been outside for some time and he'd been desperate to go and intervene but Elvis had quite rightly warned him off, telling him that it wasn't his battle to fight and that Molly wouldn't appreciate the interference. She'd kept looking towards him, and he knew that she knew he was watching everything that was happening. The longer the conversation went on, the more agitated and wound up he had got. Without warning, suddenly Molly & Dylan were embracing. His agitation had turned to anger and although he didn't immediately recognise the sensation, he was consumed by an irrational jealousy. He'd turned away, gone to the bar, ordered and downed a large whisky.
She had come back inside alone a few minutes later and walked straight up to him, "Sorry about that Charles. You alright?"
He'd been cold and short with her, "Why wouldn't I be?"
She'd touched his arm, which he'd immediately pulled away, "Charles, it weren't what it looked like."
He'd barely been able to keep his voice steady and hadn't managed to conceal his contempt, "Is that so? Because from where I was standing it looked like you were kissing your ex-boyfriend."
He'd not even waited to hear what she had to say, he'd just got up and walked out of the restaurant.
As soon as he had left he had regretted his actions. He knew he had been unfair to her and hadn't even bothered to listen to what she had to say. He had contemplated going back, but didn't trust himself to not make the situation worse. He was shaken by his earlier conversation with Elvis about Rebecca and was confused by just how quickly he'd lost control of the situation. This wasn't like him at all. All reason and sense had left him when it came to Molly.
He'd called her when he'd got home, but it had gone to voicemail. He'd not managed to summon the words to leave a voice message, but had texted her.
[ I'm so sorry Molly. I was an idiot. Please call. C x ]
She'd not responded. He'd held out some hope that she might come around after the party, but she hadn't.
It was much later when he'd received a text from Elvis.
[ Not sure what happened between you & Molly, but she's a mess. Jac taken her home. You need to sort it out mate…. for all our sakes. ]
His heart had sunk a bit further when he'd read the text. Molly was a mess and it was his fault. He briefly thought Elvis was being a bit dramatic…. 'for all our sakes', what the bloody hell does that mean?
Having calmed down and thought about things rationally, he's certain he completely over-reacted last night and isn't even sure about what he thinks he saw. Whilst there was an embrace between Molly & Dylan, he didn't watch for long enough to know who was embracing who. He's reminded of Elvis' words, that Molly is crazy for him. In his heart, he knows this too, because they have spent so much time together over the last few weeks and the feeling is entirely reciprocated. He has literally never been happier than he is when he is around her and he feels her absence painfully.
He looks at his watch, 8.30am. He can't wait any longer, he needs to go and see her and make this right.
