I have started to write down the dates of the events as it is a lot easier to keep track of. I hope you don't mind how I have changed the style.
September 2014
Molly has been gone for three weeks. This year has gone so fast I find it hard to believe that I was in Afghan more than three months ago. Three months ago we were on the bridge, attempting to capture Barai when it went tits up. Whilst Molly is away, I have planned to move into a house in Colburn about a ten minute drive to Catterick. The house is detached and was owned by a couple who were in their late fifties. The house was modern with very neutral colors and a small garden which will be easy to maintain.
I haven't told Molly about the house, I thought it would be a great surprise for when she come home. Only four months to go, unfortunately, Molly won't be home for Christmas but the day after boxing day. I have plenty of things to keep me busy though, as my ankle has become stronger I have started to go on jogs every morning. My fitness levels are low, very low but with jogging everyday I am hoping to achieve an average level of fitness. I start back at Cartterick 14th of October, I can't explain how excited I am, to be back in my uniform to wear them bloody boots again, even if they do give me blisters.
I have signed documents to say I am now the owner of the house. I have money from previous deployments and also money from which came from Rebecca as she gave me half the money for the house where her and Sam now live. The bank have given me a mortgage and this has allowed me back on the property ladder. The keys are handed over on the 1st of October so this gives me time to move and buy furniture
22/ October 2014
My first week training young soldiers has gone well. I have been attached to a section of young lads aged 16-21. They all seem to get on very well but I don't think some are made to be soldiers, I have to start looking at separating the shit from the clay. There are also some very clever lads who I think will go far and be very successful in the army. Throughout their training I have been doing fitness tests along side of them, now I'm back I aim to keep it!
Molly has sent a letter saying she is enjoying training the medics over in Afghan. Within her second week she met her friend Jackie who she had met on her first tour. Jackie is a nice woman, she became the temp medic when Dawes went on R&R, she wasn't Molly but she was a great medic, kept all the lads in shape and never allowed them to give her shit. I liked that! Molly has mentioned Christmas and is upset we won't be spending our first Christmas together as a couple. Christmas is very special to me, it has been since I was a child, I loved the trees, the mad rush around the shops and not to forget Christmas dinner!
Today I saw two section training, they will be heading to Canada next week, so I thought I should go over to speak to Kinders when they all looked my way.
"ayup na, its bossman!" I couldn't help but laugh and Mansfield's accent, I'd bleeding missed taking the piss out of him.
They broke up their formation and greeted me shaking hands. Kinders, Fingers, Brains, Mansfield and Dangles were all that were left of 2 section. My favorite group of men since I had joined the army. A few others had joined them but they just stood around talking to one another not bothering to introduce themselves.
"Boss you heard about Mol's? Shes back in Afghan, the jammy shit." Fingers shouted as if I were miles away. The lads didn't know about me and Molly and we hadn't even spoke about telling them, but I will leave it until we're both here to do it. They asked about my ankle and asked to look at my scar, these are like bloody kids!
Kinders had told them all to sod off.
"Boss, we're all off out for food tonight, do you fancy joining us or ave you got plans?" Wow this would get me out the house and this would be a great chance to catch up with them all. I said I would meet them at the local pub 'The Farmers Arms.' at 1930 hours as this would give me time to get home tidey up and have a shower. I needed one after today.
1928 hours. I walk in the pub and its empty. I thought I would catch a taxi and have a few drinks with the lads. As I am not assigned to them anymore I can let my guard down a little.
I look at my watch 1930 hours and I hear Mansfield shouting at someone, possibly to someone who has just hurled abuse at him.
"Nice ta see you made it bossman. What ya drinking?"
"Pint of Guinness if your offering!" Jeez this will take some getting used too, I used to be in control of these lot, I used to have to maintain a professional level and now I'm drinking and eating with them.
We sat down and there was banter flying all around the table. Mansfield was the usual suspect whilst Dangles was in stitches laughing. Food had come and the table went quiet as soon as everyone had started to eat their dinner. I looked up to see everyone faces down on their plates, I actually miss these lot and I've only just realized.
There was nothing left on the plates when the waitress came and took them away, the lads looking behind as she walked off, they don't change do they? There was a gentle talk between us all when I was speaking to kinders.
"So, have you heard anything about Smurf?"
Everyone went silent and turned towards me and Kinders.
"Yea boss, he resigned from the army. He couldn't face letting his mum go through all of that again."
"He's home then?"
"Yea, he's doing an apprenticeship in a car garage in Newport! Apparently, he's not spoken to Molly since they came home from Vegas. Must've fallen out or summet.
My anger took over. That nob is back in the country and he didn't even come to face me or Molly!
"Everything ok bossman?" Brains looked straight at me and I looked Kinders in the eyes.
"I'm going to find him, sorry lads, I've gotta go. Good look in Canada!"
I was out of there within seconds