Just a short chapter this time. Thanks for all the reviews, much appreciated. All original characters owned by the BBC, the rest are mine. Hoping for series 2.
Sunday morning, everyone was left to their own devices. So long as the Cadets were at the coach for midday for the return back to Bristol, there wouldn't be a problem.
Most of the section had surfaced about 09.00 and wandered down to the mess for breakfast as Molly had declared she wasn't doing breakfast for them. They'd met up with a few of the Cadets and carried on with the joking from the previous night.
Phones appeared, and pictures were being shown, from FOB, Bastion, the wedding, and other times they'd got together. The Cadets were amazed at some of the shots, especially the shot when Molly had returned to the FOB after getting Smurf out of the minefield.
"Who's he?" Peters asked, pointing at a picture of Smurf, "Not seen him this weekend."
"Smurf," Fingers said "Dead, some sort of head injury, when we got home."
"Must have been rough, to have survived Afghan and then that happens."
Fingers sniffed, even now it still hurt, "Worse for his Mum, she'd already lost his twin brother on a previous tour. The funeral was well crap."
"Jeeeese, wouldn't want that for anyone."
"It's probably why we're all still so close."
"I really fucked up on Friday!" Peters muttered.
"Yep." Fingers happily agreed, and then started to laugh. "Your alright mate. Already forgotten."
Around the tables phone numbers were exchanged and invites made to call whenever anyone was in Bristol or the Salisbury area.
About 11.30, Captain James pulled the Range Rover around to where the coach was waiting. He'd already put his kit in the car but Molly was still packing.
While he was waiting he attached magnetic L plates to the front and back of the car. With the tailgate down it wasn't obvious to see. Molly had been taking driving lessons and every so often he let her drive his pride and joy. As it was a Sunday and lunchtime, the roads to Bath should be fairly quiet and he knew she had her test in a few weeks, so the practise would do her good. He'd already got a car on order for her for when she passed her test.
Mansfield and Brains had seen the L plates and couldn't help a bit of friendly ribbing.
"You off your head Boss?" Brains said.
"Without a doubt Brains." Captain James said, a cringe on his face.
"10 to 1 she wraps it." Mansfield sniggered.
The Cadets had started to wander over to the coach and a few ventured over to the Captain to thank him for the weekend and the Saturday night.
Captain James held his hand out "The tab!"
"We've given it to the Major, Sir."
2 Section had wandered out to say bye to Molly. She came through the doors with the Major with her weekend bag and rucksack. Captain James walked towards the 2 of them with the intention of getting Molly's bag and the tab from the previous night.
"Not a hope in hell Charles." Major Hopkins said. "I'm paying, your section gave their weekend up and put on a good show for the Cadets. I've never had one of these weekends go as well as this one has. I mean look at them," and he pointed towards the coach, where 2 section were still talking to the Cadets and loading the bags into the coach, "normally, it's an us and them standoff."
"Credit goes to this one." Captain James said, taking Molly's bag and putting his arm around her shoulder.
"I know, she has this way about her. I'll see you Mrs James on Monday in lectures."
Molly blushed and giggled, "thanks Prof."
As Captain James put Molly's bag in the car he called "Molly!" and threw her the keys.
She caught them and looked like a kid at Christmas. "Really? Yes!" and ran to the drivers side.
Captain James put his head in his hands, shaking his head.
The Major thought he heard Captain James say "Oh, god, what have I done?"
2 Section were enjoying their Captains discomfort, shouting encouragement to Molly to rag it back to Bath.
"She doesn't need your help, thank you very much." Captains James said.
"Oh shut up, you Rupert!" Molly said through the window.
The whole of the watching audience burst into laughter.
"Proper rinsed, Sir" Mansfield called.
"Mansfield?" the Captain called questioningly.
Mansfield knew what was coming "Shut the fuck up Sir?"
"Correct!"
"Yes Sir," but with a very smug look on his face.
The Captain knew he'd been beaten, this time.
