This is the final chapter. Thank you to everyone who has read or reviewed this story over the past few months. It's been a long haul but you have always been very kind and encouraging. I really appreciate your comments and your commitment in reading this story through to the end. I'm sorry it has taken so long to write but I started a new job in the summer so I've had to divide my time more than usual. I've really enjoyed writing the trio of 'Another' stories but I think this is the natural end for the post-war James family and so there won't be 'Another' sequel. I also have to say a final big thank you here as well to Tony Grounds for creating the brilliant Charles and Molly. We all loved series one and have had great fun continuing their story in so many different ways. Can't wait for series two and whatever it may bring.
Chapter Twenty One
"There's really nothing else quite like it and if you don't believe me, ask Marjorie."
The ladies of the Nethercombe Women's Institute laughed as Molly concluded her talk by gesturing in the direction of her friend who had been sitting behind the projector changing the slides whenever Molly indicated. They were the photographs taken during her flight with Molly and most had come out well. The President stood and led the applause and Molly beamed with pleasure at the unexpected realisation that her talk on flying, navigation and Nethercombe from the air had gone down rather well. Looking towards the rear of the Village Hall she was surprised to catch sight of Charles hovering near the door watching her, a broad smile on his face as he joined in heartily with the applause. Like the rest of the audience he has been impressed. Molly was a natural public speaker, confident but not so over-rehearsed that she sounded as if she were delivering a script, able to convey the subject concisely and with enthusiasm as well as injecting humour in the right places. She had kept the ladies interested and entertained for half an hour and one or two were keen to ask her more questions over tea which was about to be served.
Charles strolled towards Molly, conscious of glances in his direction.
"Ah, Mr James, I understand we have you to thank for our guest speaker today," the President said seeing him approach.
Charles shook his head, "I don't think so,"
"Oh but you are, " Miss Morrison insisted, "Mrs James told us how you taught her to fly after the war."
Charles smiled, "I see. Well, all I can say to that is she was the best pupil I've ever had." He caught Molly's eye as he spoke and saw a smirk on his wife's face. However, maintaining an innocent expression he continued, "She was a natural from the start."
"Well, it was absolutely fascinating," the President replied, "You've really thrown down the gauntlet. Mrs Blenkinsop will be feeling the pressure with her 'Brass rubbings of Gloucester Cathedral' talk next week. Very well done, Mrs James."
The President withdrew to make her way to the tea table leaving Charles and Molly alone for a moment. Molly lowered her voice so that she couldn't be overheard by anyone else, "You were talking about my aviation skills just now weren't you, Charles?"
Charles looked down at her and saw the mischievous twinkle in her eye. He fought the urge to laugh aloud but couldn't hide his amusement, "How could you think anything else of me? As if I would be so daring in front of the President especially when they've only just decided to accept you."
Molly couldn't help glancing in the direction of Lady Wilton and thinking of all the times they had clashed recently until the sudden turn about in her opinion last week. She had sat near the front of the audience this afternoon, listened intently and applauded loudly at the end. Molly narrowed her eyes, "I still can't believe that Lady Wilton is so keen on me, now. Do you think it's just an act?"
Charles maintained a neutral expression, "It might be, but I don't suppose she'll change her mind." He could imagine how much the realisation that she would have to make a public show of support for Molly had probably rankled with Lady Wilton but she was doing everything within her power not to rock the boat. Like Sir Percival, she had no intention of having her position in society or her integrity questioned. The news about the lies they had been told concerning the requisitioned airfield land and worst of all why had been a bitter pill to swallow but both Sir Percival and his wife had done what was asked of them. Lady Wilton might not like Molly very much but in public she had ceased to oppose her and it seemed as if the she was being accepted into the fold. After today's talk many were seeing her in a completely new light.
"So you came to see how good she was," Marjorie called out to Charles as she put the final slides back in the box and walked over to join her friend and her husband.
Charles nodded, "I crept into the back of the hall just after you started and I'm very glad that I did. You were wonderful."
"Yes, " Marjorie agreed, "You showed them all that there's much more to you than meets the eye. I don't think this is the last time you'll be asked to speak here."
Molly smiled and blushed a little at the praise. She'd been a bag of nerves when she had first stood up but somehow she'd overcome that very quickly and it had felt strangely empowering to have everyone's attention.
"Well, the photographs were really good too, Marjorie." She lowered her voice, "Glad you took out the one of Lady Wilton bent double with her backside in the air," they both started giggling like schoolgirls.
Charles watched them both and pretending to be disapproving said, "Ladies please, remember where you are," to which both of them giggled even more. He leaned towards Molly and kissed her on the cheek, "I've got to go, darling. I'm meeting with Richard and a surveyor at four to go over the runway plans. I'll see you later."
Molly watched him leave, stopping to exchange a few pleasantries with some of the ladies as he passed through the hall and notably nodding in Lady Wilton's direction. She inclined her head in acknowledgement with the semblance of a smile but Molly couldn't help thinking there was an air of sadness about her too. She looked deflated somehow before turning to Miss Morrison a moment later, the veneer already back in place.
"How are things at home?" Marjorie asked causing Molly to turn back in her direction.
"I can't lie, Marjorie, but It's a relief to have Bella back," she replied conscious that Marjorie might not feel the same about her sister's return, "I know she's had her moments recently but I've missed her and so have the children."
Marjorie smiled, "Don't look so worried. You won't hear any complaints from me. Tom phoned us and said it was all a misunderstanding about you know who," she lowered her voice conscious of Lady Wilton in the room, "And if they're both happy and back together then I am too." She leaned towards Molly, "Actually, I've missed Bella as well so has our Robert and if she wants her job back she's more than welcome."
X-X-X-X
As Molly turned into the drive of Greystones she saw Bella in the garden with William, Edward and Rose. They were trying to play hide and seek although only William understood the rules of the game. Edward and Rose were laughing and trying to hide in plain sight whilst Bella was pretending that she couldn't see them which produced even more giggles. William, seeing his mother coming up the drive ran to her looking annoyed,
"Eddie and Rose aren't playing properly, Mummy."
Molly smiled and put an arm round him, "They don't understand it yet, William, but it won't be long. I bet you'll soon have trouble finding them, alright," William rolled his eyes and didn't look convinced. He stalked off and Molly catching up with her sister and bending to scoop Rose up into her arms at the same time said, "Oh dear, looks like Will's not amused."
Bella grinned at her sister, "You should know what it's like, being the oldest."
Molly pulled a face, "Yes, having to put up with so many annoying little sisters and brothers. I suppose I can sympathise with him, there."
Bella tapped her playfully on the arm, "Watch it, or I'll take offence and go home again."
Molly smiled at her, "You are home, now."
When Bella had been telephoned Molly on Sunday and told her that she and Tom had made things up between them, she had asked if she was welcome to come back to Greystones and Molly had cried, "Don't be daft. Of course we want you back. We've missed you. I wish you hadn't run off in the first place like that." There had been a pause and then Molly had added, "I'm sorry about being so cross with you."
Bella had sounded sheepish when she replied, "Well, you were right, so I can forgive you being cross."
The following day she had returned. Charles had gone to Cookham Halt station to collect her and bring her home and she had been left in no doubt that Molly meant what she had said. She had rushed forward and hugged Bella saying, "Please don't ever go off like that again. We've all missed you so much."
To Bella's relief Hattie had left having been released from hospital and received a ticking off from the Police, she had escaped any charges and had reluctantly returned to Ipswich with Violet. Molly had confessed that she didn't think Hattie was likely to stay there very long but for the time being Hattie had said she was prepared to give it a go.
"She's got too many big ideas to settle for now," Molly said. "I just hope she finds something she really wants to do."
The news that Hattie had been embroiled in shady dealings and mixed up with a several less than reliable characters hadn't surprised Bella. In a quiet moment she admitted to Molly that she had once seen the bruises on Hattie's back, "I knew something was going on but it was her business and to be honest I just didn't like her. I feel a bit sorry for her now, knowing what happened but I suppose she's learned the hard way. Like me."
Molly raised her eyebrows, "All that business with Peter Wilton?"
Bella gazed at her sister trying to gauge what to say. They had always been close but she didn't know whether she wanted to confess the whole story of what had happened in Oxford last Friday. Tom knew and that was what really mattered. In the end she decided to tell Molly that when Tom had received the letter he had come to see her, they had talked about things and made up. They had both agreed not to mention Tom's proposal for now and their intention to get married as soon as he returned from National Service. Tom had two months left to serve and neither of them was twenty one. They couldn't get married without their parents' permission and they had agreed that when he returned they would talk to both sets of parents and explain everything although in the meantime they had started to make plans. The journey back to London had given them time to talk about the practicalities. They both felt that if their parents would agree then there was nothing to wait for. They didn't need a big wedding and Tom had saved what he could which would be enough to get them across the channel and some cheap accommodation to start. They would go to France and head south. In the late summer there was work to be found grape picking and in they were both excited about the future.
Bella looked at Molly and thinking about Peter Wilton again and everything that had happened said, "I don't think Peter's entirely bad and he's not entirely good either but in the end I knew he just wasn't right for me and it took me a little while to realise it." She knew that she had been stupid and misjudged everything but had realised her mistake in time. Tom had told her that it didn't matter and she believed him.
X-X-X-X
It was late. Molly had dozed off in the armchair, listening to the wireless and when she awoke she was surprised to see that it was almost eleven o'clock and she was alone. Bella had been with her earlier. She remembered her bringing a cup of tea at half past nine but it was still on the table next to her untouched and now stone cold. Molly supposed that Bella must have gone to bed without wanting to disturb her. She stood up and stretched, turned off the wireless and headed out into the hall. It was dark but she could see a light under the door of Charles' study. He had gone in there after dinner and must still be busy. She wandered towards the door, gently pushed it open and looked in.
Charles was sitting at his desk with plans spread out in front of him. He looked up as she entered the room and smiled at the sight of her walking in, rubbing her eyes, "Hello sleepy head."
"Why didn't you wake me?" Molly asked.
"You looked so peaceful. I just didn't want to disturb you." He reached out to her and patted his lap, "Come and sit down"
She joined him and he hugged her close, nuzzling her neck and enjoying the feeling of being close to her. Molly glanced down at the plans on the table, "How's it all going?"
Charles lifted his head, "The plans should be ready in a few weeks and all being well they'll go through the Planning Committee. We've had some positive responses from members and local businessmen seem to be in favour. As a matter of fact, I was talking to Michael Stafford this morning and he told me he's got plans to set up a small passenger service between Croydon and Northern France and depending how it goes he might set up another service from here. The interesting thing was he said he'd be seeking a hostess to look after passengers on flights and I thought of Hattie and mentioned her." He looked up at Molly, "Was that wise, do you think?"
Molly smiled, "I think it sounds just like something Hattie would want to do and it's a proper job. She wants a bit of glamour and adventure that sounds just about exciting enough. To be honest, Charles, I don't think she'll get herself mixed up with the wrong people again. She's learned her lesson. It was kind of you to try to do her a favour," She bent her head kissed him on the forehead. "Thank you."
He hugged her closer and they sat in silence enjoying the quiet moment of togetherness in the stillness of a house where all were asleep but them.
"Did you ever think everything would turn out like this when we first met?" Molly whispered, thinking of the good fortune that had given them the life that they now shared. Charles cast his mind back to the first time he had seen Molly, dressed in her baggy WAAF overalls out at the dispersal area at RAF Milton, laughing inappropriately as he had tried to bring the crew of C for Charlie to order. He had considered her cheeky and disrespectful and had slapped her down with a particularly arrogant comment. He had to smile. She was still cheeky and had no time for people with false airs and graces but now he wouldn't want her to be any other way.
He shook his head, "Back then I only dreamed of a life like this." He kissed her, "Sometimes you have stand back and remind yourself just how wonderful everything really is. Because it is wonderful, Molly, and there's so much more to come."
The clock in the hall struck eleven. Molly gazed at Charles, "It's late. We should go to bed."
Charles smiled and murmured, "That sounds so inviting."
Molly squeezed his hand, "You're very welcome."
X-X-X-X
September 1952
The cockerel in the yard crowed and Tom stirred from his sleep and forced an eye open. His vision was still blurred but he saw Bella sitting on the bed leaning over him with a smile full of mischief on her face. He felt something tickle the end of his nose and caught a glimpse of the piece of straw in Bella's hand that she was using to disturb him. "Stop it," he murmured but she giggled and did it again so he had no choice but to reach out and pull her down to him rolling her playfully onto her back, with the offending hand holding the straw pinned down against the pillow. "If you do that again I will have to retaliate."
Her eyes laughed at him, daring him and he willingly accepted the challenge, pulling her into his arms, holding her fast and kissing her with such a passion and intensity that they both very quickly forgot about the matter in hand and lost themselves in the exuberance and luxury of being in each other's arms the way they had day and night for the six weeks since their marriage. The joy of being together, travelling and experiencing a different way of life had not diminished. If anything the realisation that this was the path they had always been destined to follow only intensified their feelings for each other. These past few weeks they had seen life unfold before them, discovered everything together, struggled sometimes to make themselves understood in a foreign language, worked hard and fallen into bed at night, exhausted but happy, to whisper secrets in the darkness, to hold each other close and to sleep content in the knowledge that they were doing everything they had always wanted.
When Tom had returned from his National Service in early June and he and Bella had told Marjorie and Robert that they were engaged, they had both been delighted. The news that they intended to dispense with a big wedding, marry immediately and instead of settling in Nethercombe meant to travel for an extended period of time had been met with great surprise and initial concern, at least from Marjorie. Robert however, seemed to understand them better and had told them both not to worry. He said that he would talk Marjorie round and he had. The realisation that both Tom and Bella fully intended to come back and settle down in the future seemed to quell Marjorie's fears and she began to take an interest in their plans. Dave and Betty were less concerned. Bella had already flown the nest and in their separate ways they both understood and to some extent envied Tom and Bella. The memory of her parents disappointments in the way life had turned out for them was enough to convince Bella that they would support her decision.
The wedding had taken place at St Marys in Nethercombe on a beautiful summer's day in late July. Bella had been loaned a wedding dress by Penny Statham's cousin, Joy, and the reception had been held in the Village Hall with Molly and Marjorie providing the wedding breakfast. They had left for Dover that afternoon and Charles and Molly had paid for a night in a smart hotel as their wedding present. They had laughingly remembered their own wedding night at The Grand Hotel in Great Yarmouth during the war with the wind rattling the window frames as a force eight gale blew off of the North Sea and Molly had declared that if they were about to spend a lot of time roughing it the young couple should have something rather grander for the start of their married life if only for one night.
Now here they were six weeks later in the South of France, bringing in the grape harvest on a vineyard, spending long hot days in the sun and accommodated in a hayloft with spectacular views across the valleys.
Tom watched Bella getting dressed, the early morning sunlight falling on her bare skin now tanned from the long days in the hot sunshine. She bent to pick up a slip from the floor and he watched her pull the garment over her head, allowing it to glide and float as it covered her body. She turned to look at him, "Aren't you going to get up, lazy bones? Monsieur Reynard won't be happy with you if you're late."
Tom sighed, "I'll just tell him I was admiring the view."
Bella snorted with laughter, "You won't be thinking about the same sort of view."
Tom smirked, "Maybe not, but he's a Frenchman he'd forgive me."
"I'm sure he thinks I'm just your bit of stuff and we're not married," Bella said buttoning her blouse.
"Well there you go, then, " Tom replied. "That just proves what I'm saying. He's a Frenchman."
Bella wandered to the open window of the hayloft and looked out at the valley below, the rows of vines criss-crossing as far as the eye could see, a heat haze already forming in the distance. Another hot day but she loved it here. They would stay for as long as there was work and when the weather turned colder they had plans to go to the Alps. Some of their fellow grape pickers had told them there was work to found in the winter season and the idea of spending the winter in the mountains appealed to them both. Bella had visions of skiing, ice skating and sleigh rides like an old Sonja Henie film and herself wrapped up in a fur lined cloak. It was nonsense she knew, but to spend the winter and Christmas in a snowy playground, sounded delightful.
Tom got out of bed and came up behind her sliding his arms around her waist to hold her fast. He bent his head to rest next to hers and took in the view, "Penny for them."
Bella smiled, "Nethercombe seems so far away now."
"Do you mind?" Tom asked wondering for a moment if the novelty of their travels had begun to wane.
"Oh, no," Bella replied without hesitation, "We've got a long way to go, yet."
THE END