Chapter 10

"Oh darling, I'm going to miss you so so much" Tanya said, hugging her daughter tightly.

"Can't. Breathe. Mom" Lauren wheezed, as her normally gentle mother hugged her abnormally hard. "It's just 7 weeks. I'll call, I'll write, I'll even skype you and I'll be back at Christmas."

"You just make sure you look after yourself Lauren, and don't go getting yourself into any trouble!" Tanya warned, releasing her and kissing her forehead.

"We'll make sure to keep in touch" her father promised, giving her a quick hug in comparison to her mothers. "We'll have a proper family Christmas when you get back" He said smiling, he leaned in closer "and a wedding."

Lauren nodded, wondering how on earth her father would manage to organise an entire wedding in 7 weeks, and without her Mothers help. "Let's hope I pass the first 7 weeks of training then" She was sure would though, she was determined to do her parents and herself proud. The Army would even supply her with a graduation certificate at the end of her phase 2 training (if she passed) . It definitely beat going to university and would most certainty be her biggest achievement.

"It's a shame your Nan had to get back to work" Tanya remarked, softly brushing at her cheeks to rid the falling tears.

Lauren shook her head with a smile, "We said our goodbyes earlier…"

"What about your friends?" Lauren rolled her eyes, she was sure her mum was just making excuses to keep her there a little longer.

"I saw them all yesterday, I'm sorry Mum, but I really have to go now. I can't be late on my first day can I ?"

She picked her bags up from the floor, they were relatively light considering she was essentially leaving home for 7 weeks, but there had been guidelines as to what she could and couldn't take. Tanya gave her another hug, holding on just that little longer. There was beeping across the road and Max saw the black taxi pull up.

"That's your cab, Lauren" her father said picking up the remaining back and walking to the cab with her. "Make sure you call us when you get there babe ok? ."

"I'll try, but don't panic if I don't call, I don't know what the rules on phones are" she replied softly. She spoke quickly to the driver telling him where she was going and then threw her bags on the back seat. "I guess this is it then…" she shrugged " I love you both."

She kissed her parents goodbye and sat in the cab, watching them shrink in the distance as she left Walford behind. Her whole body relaxed slightly as she rounded the corner and the remnants of the familiar surroundings began to disappear. As much as she hated to say it, there was something good about leaving, a sense of relief almost, no matter how temporary that was.

*JL*JL*JL*

Almost three hours later and Lauren had finally arrived at the training base. She stood outside staring at the gates "Army Training Regiment, Winchester". It looked quite scary, security fencing on top of high brick walls. She swallowed hard, her eyes following the sound of boots across the floor. She watched as at least 20 uniformed recruits ran the parameters of the grounds, responding to their sergeants shouts as they went.

"Looks well scary don't it?" Lauren turned to see a girl about her age standing next to her, she too had several bags.

"it really does." She responded, a slight laugh to her voice.

"It ain't that bad once your inside…my brothers in the Army. Been her a few times for all his ceremonies." There was a thud as she dropped her bags to the floor and held her hand out to Lauren. "I'm Nancy. Nancy carter"

Lauren took her hand "Lauren Branning. This your first day too?" she asked

"well I ain't restarting." She smiled "so yep. First day… we best get in, don't wanna be punished on the first day." She threw her bag over her shoulder and walked across to an open gate "Come on then, What you waiting for ?"

Instead of going through the gate where Lauren would have gone, Nancy made her way over to the security check point, Lauren hot on her heels.

"Names please?"

"Nancy Dianna Carter" the guard quickly jotted down something on a piece of paper and printed an identification badge out.

"and you ?" he looked at Lauren awaiting her answer.

"Oh sorry, Lauren Nicole Branning" she too was handed an ID card.

"Keep theses on you and show them to the officer as you walk down. Take the first left at the end of the walkway and report to the guardroom."

"Thanks" the two of them did as they were told and were soon greeted by a mass of new recruits. They reached who they assumed to be the recruiting officer and handed her their ID cards. She marked their names off on a sheet and sent them over to a desk where numerous checks were being carried out. Once the checks were completed they were each sent to collect their kit that had been pre-ordered.

The majority of recruits, Lauren included, nearly had a heart attack at the amount (and weight) of kit they had. It was a real struggle to stand up and not topple over with the weight of it all. They were all the shepherded out and Lauren and a group of others were sent to the far left section of the courtyard.

Lauren noticed the boys and girl had been segregated, which didn't bother her much, that wasn't what she was there for. "This stuff is freaking heavy" Lauren huffed, placing her kit bag on the floor.

"You come far?" Nancy asked "you sound like an Eastender"

"I am one, I live in Walford. It's not far from Newham. You're a Londoner too I can tell"

"Ye, I'm from Hackney originally. Moved to Watford not so long ago."

A whistle was blown and everything fell silent, all turning to face the more senior looking male that had appeared.

Two tall, imposing figures moved through the crowd, which pulsed everyone with nervous tension and anticipation, and they stood either side of the senior officer.

One figure was tall, with short, dark hair, cold, grey eyes, and several visible tattoos. The other was also tall, also with dark brown hair. He had no tattoos as far as Lauren could see, his eyes weren't cold and hard either, just a little distant, but a beautiful deep brown. It was only when he saluted, that his face became clear to Lauren. It was sergeant Adams in all his uniform, looking as gorgeous as ever.

The new recruits all turned to make sure they were facing them and maintained their silence.

"If you think this is going to be some sort of adventure, some easy ride of fun and games, you should leave now," the one with the hard eyes began in a hard tone. "I will be in charge of training half of you, Sergeant Adams the other ."

It was then Sergeant Adam's turn to speak, his tone firm, but not unkind, "Take a look at the people around you… these are your friends, your enemies but most of all for the next 14 weeks, they're your family. We are your troop sergeants. I'll be training the girls along with Corporal Foster" He indicated to the harsher looking female soldier standing to the side.

Lauren released a breath then, it was good to know a friendly face would be there along the way. She continued to stare, zoning out one again and so missed their next instruction. She look at Nancy who nudged her into line.

"First names are not used in our ranks, unless you are asked. Do you understand?" Silence. "You answer a question with YES SARGE… so I'll say it again. Do you understand ?"

There was a chorus of yes sergeants' from all the recruits.

"You give us the respect we are due, and in return respect and friendship is given to you new recruits. Otherwise, teaching you respect will be a painful process – for you". The Sergeant continued "right we'll show you to your accommodation and let you get sorted." He gave a nod to Sergeant Adams who Saluted to his senior and moved to stand In front of the girls.

"Ladies…if you'll follow me".

So there was your second chapter and look whose made an appearance... Nancy Carter. It seemed only right to have her involved. And look who's back Sergeant Adams ! I'll be back tomorrow...i'll reply to reviews in a sec xx