Sunday morning dawned bright and clear, unfortunately it didn't stay that way. Dino, who had taken over from Brains in the early hours had spotted a car with a lone male driver pass along the crescent at least four times in the space of an hour. A Sky TV van had then appeared at approximately 7am but as yet no one had got out of it and there was no one visible in the front leaving them to naturally conclude the driver must be in the back of the van. By 9:30 the skies had opened and rain bounced off the garden and pavements, keeping everyone confined to the house. Tempers became frayed. Sam and Pip got into an argument about which Lego belonged to whom, throwing pieces across the snug. They couldn't go in the playroom as it was currently being used as a bedroom. Threats of time out had no effect until Molly, having had enough of the bickering sent both boys to read in their bedroom. Lucy was driving her mad, banging in to everyone and everything in the crowded house with her bloody truck and Charles, Elvis and Rebecca were upstairs on the second floor in confidential discussion.
Finding the three 2 Section lads together in the kitchen, she gave them her most charming smile. "How would you three like a trip to East Ham to see Dave and Belinda? I need to get the kids out of the house for a bit and I'm sure with you three on guard duty we'll be safe as houses." "What does the Bossman say?" "Well I haven't told him yet but I'm sure he'll be fine with it." Not feeling quite as certain, the three men waited while Molly went to speak with Charles and were surprised when Charles, Elvis and Rebecca followed her back into the room. "So, what d'you think Boss are we going on a day out down that London?" Fingers was the first to speak. "Actually, it might not be a bad idea to get Molly and the children away. Also, if the house is being watched, seeing the three of you, leave with them will give the impression we're stepping down the security after last night's raids." Sitting down at the table, Elvis began to set out their plan to draw Simon in. They didn't want to underestimate him, it would appear too obvious if all security was withdrawn immediately so by dividing them up it would give the impression of less people on Rebecca. "Go in the cars, not on the train. Too many people on the trains. You can take mine and Molly's cars, two adults to each car. Share out the kids too. If you take different routes it means if you are followed they will have to divide too or decide who is most important to follow." Charles advised.
"Hang on," Molly interrupted, "If Simon is watching the house, how many people do you think he'll have with him?" Elvis and Charles looked at each other, not sure where she was going with this. "Two, maybe three. He couldn't have many more at once without looking suspicious. Why?" Shaking her head, Molly gave a 'just a minute' look and continued, "How many cars have we got in total?" "We came in two, then there's yours and the Bossman's." "Mine," chipped in Elvis, "Spanner and Spunky came together, Peanut's and Dino and Jackson came in a van." "So seven cars and a van?" "Molly, just get on with it." Charles warned. "Well, I'm thinking we could have a bit of fun. We could leave two people in the house just in case but the rest of us, divide in to the cars. Someone can take Rebecca. We have a drive around for a bit, different directions and routes making them decide who to follow. There's a few big multi-story car parks in the area, if you go to different ones and park up as if waiting for someone I can be at one and we can swap over so I can take Rebecca and the kids down to Mum's while whoever can wear Rebecca's hoody and comes back into the house with Her driver. What d'you think?"
"Could work." Said Charles, impressed. "Worth a shot. The lads in the house can let us know if the van leaves and we can use radios to keep in touch. Jackson brought some with him just in case. If it doesn't work, we just all come back." Elvis agreed.
"And whatever the result, the kids will have had an adventure and might stop falling out." added Molly. Rebecca, who had been listening with open mouthed wonder, finally spoke. "Will it not put your parents in danger if I'm there" "No, that's the joy of it. It's the last place Simon would think you'd be, if he even knows where my parents live. We didn't get on very well, don't forget," Molly squeezed Rebecca's hand to show past animosity was now water under the bridge. "If it works, I'll give Jade a ring to meet us at LDO and leave my car there. You could arrange to get it picked up and we'll stay at mum's until it's safe." Smiling at Charles she delivered the last of the plan. "If the tall slim members of the team all dress similarly in hoodies like Rebecca and keep their faces covered, the watchers won't know which one she is, or which car to follow when you leave the house." By this time a jubilant Molly was imagining her plan in action and which lads would look best dressed as Rebecca. Peanut and Spanner were immediately ruled out as was Mansfield who, despite having lost considerable weight in the past five years was still the wrong body shape to pass for Rebecca.
It was decided that Fingers, Dino and Jackson would 'be' Rebecca. Elvis, Mansfield, Spanner and Charles would drive the four cars with passengers, going on circuitous routes before heading to the car parks. Brains would leave shortly after with Molly and the children in Charles car and head directly to the car park. At some point, depending on followers/surveillance Rebecca and Brains would switch places, leaving the ladies free to head to London. It all sounded so simple. Molly kept all her fingers crossed that it worked.
At 12:00 on the dot the four men went to retrieve the cars from the parking bay, returning to collect their 'passenger' and move off. Peanut who was watching the monitors noted the Sky van move out of sight of the house before two men got out and into a Ford Focus which had been parked in the bay, near their cars. 'So,' thought Molly, 'They've only got two vehicles to follow the four cars.' Once the van and Focus were well out of sight and having checked for lurkers, Molly and Brains loaded the children and a minimal amount of luggage into the big 4x4 and set off for the car park as planned. Molly felt bad that the children would be having a thrown together lunch again but it was in a good cause. She'd packed sandwiches, crisps, fruit and juice boxes for on the journey. If it was safe they could maybe stop at a services but they couldn't guarantee it.
Reversing into a parking bay, Brains swapped seats with Molly and they waited. Charles's car had all the latest spec so the children were able to watch a DVD or listen to music while they waited. Molly had also brought some books and Sam was currently reading stories to Pip and Lucy who were happily joining in with the familiar bits. They had thought about who Rebecca should travel with and decided that Charles and Elvis would be the most obvious choices, she being precious cargo, and so they put her with Spanner.
The radio Brains was holding crackled to life. "We're parking up with our tail, a Ford Focus. Will let you when we're ready for home." came Dino's voice. "Elvis, you still got your tail?" "Sure have, looks like they've swapped the van. I've got a blue Audi following me. Not far from my car park now." "We're clear, looks like they've only got the two cars then. Heading into our car park just in case." Jackson reported. He was travelling with Mansfield which just left Spanner and Rebecca to report in. "I can't believe this is actually working." Came Rebecca's breathless voice. "Spanner says we're clear, no one following us so we'll head to Molly as planned. Thank you so so much everyone. I can't tell you how much this means to me. I really can't." It appeared their ruse worked and Simon had predictably followed Charles and Elvis.
Two minutes later Spanner's car drove into the car park and reversed into a bay on the level below Molly. He waited for ten minutes to make certain no one had followed him in to the car park before driving up and parking next to Molly, their passenger doors side by side. The exchange went smoothly with Brains giving Rebecca a quick hug and peck on the cheek before getting in with Spanner and pulling on Rebecca's hoody. Waving they moved off and Molly listened to each one report they were heading out.
Molly and Rebecca would wait until they heard the surveillance was back in place at the house before setting off for London. Lucy and Pip had fallen asleep in the back seat by the time they got the all clear. Sam chatted quietly with Rebecca, asking questions about what had just happened and how long they were staying with Grannie Belinda. He was looking forward to seeing Steven and was telling Rebecca about the Dawes family. Molly hoped she was doing the right thing. Charles and the children just accepted her family and saw past the untidy house and lack of airs and graces. Rebecca was different. She hoped the sight of Dave in his pants wouldn't shock her too much. Maybe she should warn her, but then again it might be fun to watch the two of them meet for the first time.
It was close to 17:00 by the time they arrived at the LDO to meet Jade. Thanks to the size of the Dawes family Jade drove a Vauxhall Zafira with seven seats. It took a matter of minutes to move child seats, luggage and passengers from one car to the other. Molly was just climbing into the passenger seat when she spotted a familiar face climbing down from a tow truck. "Baz? What are you doing here?" Molly hadn't seen Baz for over four years. He'd left the army to join an NGO working with displaced refugees across Europe. "Bossman phoned me, asked me to pick up his car and keep it in my old man's lock up for a bit. Hear you've been having some fun and games." Handing over the keys and giving him a hug, Molly shrugged, "Too many to go into now, need to get the kids some tea but we really must get together for a catch up when this is all sorted." Smiling he waited until she'd climbed into the car and closed the door, tapping the roof to indicate it was clear for them to leave. "Who's that?" Asked Jade with interest watching the good looking blond walking towards Charles's car. "That is Baz Vegas, or rather Barry Lucas. He was in the army with me in Afghan and before you ask, yes he's single, or he was the last I heard, and yes, he's more your age than Elvis so fill your boots. I'll even give you his number."
The short drive to East Ham passed without event. The children were getting excited, they loved visiting the Dawes clan and even more exciting, they were getting to stay overnight. "Mum's been busy tidying since you phoned. She's threatened dad to be on his best behaviour. She's sorted all the sleeping arrangements out. I hope you like bunk beds Rebecca." Jade giggled. "Me and Lily are stopping with Nan and Bella's gone to Magaluf with Dwayne so you two are in our room with Lucy. The boys are going in with Steven and Martin. I don't think anyone would want Paul's room. Not unless you've got a gas mask." Molly could see Rebecca's eyes getting rounder and rounder as each member of the family was mentioned. "Did I tell you Rebecca, I've got six brothers and sisters? I'm the oldest, thank god." Rebecca shook her head. "Are you sure this isn't an imposition?" "Not sure what one of them is," said Jade before Molly could answer. "But my dad's like a dog with two tails at the thought of a posh bird coming to stay."
As soon as the children were released from their seatbelts the boys took off running with Lucy stomping behind them shouting, "Gandad Dave" at the top of her voice. Dave leaned over the balcony waving and blowing her kisses before disappearing from view. "They have a mutual admiration society going." laughed Molly taking the large bag and linking arms with Rebecca as she followed them. Waiting for them at the bottom of the stairs with Lucy in his arms, Dave gave Molly and then Rebecca a quick hug before taking the bag. "Come on Becky, Belinda's got the kettle on. Unless you fancy a beer?" He marched off without waiting for an answer. Molly gave Rebecca a look of apology, "He shortens everybody's name. Except my mum's for some strange reason." Rebecca just smiled and moved after their host. She quite liked Becky, it sounded cosy and friendly. Maybe she'd keep it, a new name for a new start.
Belinda greeted her at the door with a hug too. She hadn't been hugged so much for years. Now she could see where Molly got her personality and kindness from. Belinda and Dave were a lot younger than she expected but she felt comfortable with them and could feel herself starting to relax as she settled into the old armchair. Sam and Pip had disappeared upstairs and she could hear them playing with two of Molly's brothers. A pretty young girl, introduced as Lily handed her a drink with a smile. "If I was you, I'd claim the top bunk. One of the slats is broken so the mattress sags down a bit on the bunk below." She advised. Chuckling Rebecca tried to remember if she'd ever slept in a bunk bed. She didn't think so.
A commotion at the front door had Rebecca searching around her for somewhere to hide only for the adrenaline to quickly disperse when she heard Molly shout "Nan" in a happy voice, echoed by Lucy shouting "Od Nan" which begged the question, was Nan odd or old? As it turned out she was neither. She came bustling into the sitting room, lugging carrier bags which she deposited on the sofa before leaning down to give Rebecca a hug. "How're you doing love? Bloody men. Can't live with 'em, can't shoot 'em. Anyway, I wasn't sure what you might need so I got you a bit of everything for your new house." She began pulling bedding and towels, cutlery and soft furnishings from the bags. Rebecca was so overwhelmed at the kindness of these strangers that she began to quietly weep, tears dripping from her chin. "Ere don't cry, I just thought what with you just being back in the country you might not have stuff but if you don't like the colours we can take 'em back and you can choose your own." Nan knelt down in front of her and pulled her into her arms, rocking her like a baby, patting her back. "You just let it all go love, a good cry's the best thing for you I say." "I'm so sorry" said Rebecca, frantically searching for a tissue before reluctantly resorting to using her sleeve. She hoped Sam was nowhere around to see that. Nan passed her the box of tissues and plonked herself down on the end of the sofa next to her chair. Taking Rebecca's hand, she reassured her, "Don't be sorry for letting your emotions out love. We've all been there. Well maybe not quite the same as you but doesn't mean we don't know what you're going through. So don't ever apologise for that." She smiled again at Rebecca as she leaned back and shouted, "Is anyone making a brew? I'm spitting feathers 'ere." making Rebecca chuckle.
Dave, with Lucy attached to his leg like a baby koala, limped into the room carrying a tray with several mugs of tea and a plate of homemade scones. "Stons Betta. Eat" Lucy obviously wanted to do just that and was trying to figure out a way to keep hold of both Dave and a scone. "Sit gandad." She instructed. And sit he did, letting her climb up into his lap, spreading jam and butter from her scone as she went. Molly, Belinda and Jade joined them and chat turned general, everyone making sure to include Rebecca. They ordered takeaway pizza for tea and the sitting room seemed to bulge at the seams with bodies, as children appeared from all corners of the house to eat. The only person missing was Bella who apparently was on holiday with her boyfriend. Despite the numbers the atmosphere was calm and relaxed and Rebecca felt soothed. It wasn't until she felt someone tapping her arm that she realised she'd fallen asleep. She opened her eyes to see Lucy clad in her pyjamas peering up at her. "You seep Betta? Time or bed." She heard running feet coming down the stairs and Molly appeared in the otherwise empty sitting room. "Lucinda James, I told you not to wake Aunty Rebecca." Molly was wearing her pyjamas too. "Her wayted up, me seep top now." Lucy beamed. "I'm really sorry, I thought I'd just let you sleep but madam here wants to sleep in the top bunk with you. She escaped while I was in the bathroom." "How long was I asleep? I hope I wasn't snoring? Did I drive everyone out?" Standing she looked blearily about. "Nah, it was getting late and everyone was pretty tired anyway. You slept for about four hours, it's half ten. And this little bugger should have been asleep hours ago like her brothers. Come on, I'll show you where we're sleeping."
While Rebecca had been sleeping, Molly had phoned Charles. She'd sent a text earlier to let him know they'd arrived safely but now she wanted to know what was happening in Bath. The cars had apparently all arrived back within minutes of each other and unsurprisingly the Audi had pulled into a space outside Number 2. Jackson had zoomed in with the camera but neither occupant was Simon so he mustn't be ready to strike yet. This led them to wonder if he just wasn't in the area yet or if he was keeping a low profile. Whichever it was, they were preparing to move on with the plan to lure him out.
On Monday, 2 Section lads would overtly pack up their cars and head off. The plan being that they would stay in the immediate vicinity of East Ham just in case, so they would be on hand if needed. On Tuesday, they would carry out a repeat of Sunday's fun and games to see who would be following this time. Three of the SF lads would then withdraw to a hotel, possibly to Gilly's at number 19 if they could figure a way to get there without being recognised. With numbers depleted they hoped Simon would get more confident about seeking some sort of contact with Rebecca. It all felt very slow and Molly desperately wanted to speed things up but she knew they had to stick with the old adage, "softly softly catchy monkey".
Molly had chatted with Charles about Rebecca's welcome to the family; Dave's shortening of her name and Nan's presents. "Oh god, she didn't nick them did she?" Laughing Molly replied, "Can't have done for a change. She said they could take 'em back and change the colour if Rebecca didn't like them. She really took her under her wing." She told him about Lucy's antics with Dave and the boys having fun with Steven and Martin. Finally, when she could put it off no longer she said goodnight. "Love you. Sweet dreams and behave yourselves. I don't want any wild stag partying while I'm gone."
Now, she lay in her bottom bunk feeling 18 again, looking up at the photo of Charles she'd wedged between the wooden slats of the top bunk. She could hear Rebecca snoring lightly and Lucy fidgeting and tried to shut her brain off. She needed to be alert tomorrow. It was highly unlikely anyone, Simon, knew where they were or that Rebecca would be recognised so she hoped to be able to get out of the house for some fresh air and try to bring back some sort of normality for the children. Climbing quietly out of bed she went to check the front and back doors and downstairs windows were locked one last time and peeped out at the silent deserted neighbourhood before going back to bed and finally to sleep.