Reckless Moments

by Debs60

A/U: Charles has always wanted to be in the army and Molly has always been fiercely loyal and independent. They have known each other since they were children but had very different upbringings and career direction, despite this their paths continue to cross through to adulthood. Will their differences pull them apart or were they always destined to be other half of each other?

14. Chapter 14

Reckless Moments

Chapter 14 – War of Hearts

He still hadn't plucked up the courage to ask her, he worked out where he would like to take her on holiday and that would be a good place to ask her. Thailand, she would love the heat and the different culture, the people. He couldn't wait to show her. The map in their bedroom had mainly red pins of all the places he had been sent to, not that she marked off all the places he was when he went on exercise here. Only one blue pin that signified their holiday to Cyprus and that was feeling a long time ago now.

New Year had passed and he was sent on exercise again, preparations for the escalation of problems in Sierra Leone. Bones and his team already out there and Elvis and his team due to go any day now. Georgie had been assigned as their medic again and was training in Pirbright with his sections. He had finally got his promotion and been made up to Captain. He was in charge of many men and the responsibility to them worried him sometimes. Geraint still played on his mind, watching him die, it hadn't helped that his twin brother was in 2 section, he was a constant reminder to him and still messing about and acting the class clown. They were barely off that last exercise and the word came they were to deploy.

Another birthday he would miss, so many things he missed. Seems his brother Andrew had met a woman and was in love and wanted to marry her. They had been dating secretly for some time according to his mother, that had echoes he thought, that is exactly what he and Molly had done, not sure how the families would react, wanting to be sure it was what they both wanted be comfortable with their new relationship, that they were more than just friends before announcing it. He would be away for the wedding too. He hadn't even met the woman. Although his mum had now written saying that he did in fact know her, he had dated her briefly when he was at Sandhurst, brought her to the house, which is where Andrew had met her. When his mum told him it was Rebecca he was surprised, he thought she was a bit clingy and far too ambitious for him and was surprised that his brother would want to be involved with someone like that after his realisation that ambition didn't always bring you what you wanted. Still, it was up to his brother, he must know what he wanted and if Rebecca made him happy that was OK with him.

Here he was sitting outside his hut under the canopy watching the rain lash down, drinking his strong black coffee, missing home, and stuck in another country where they just wanted to kill each other. They had been sent there for the protection and safe passage of foreign nationals out the country, they had already taken and secured Freetown and the airport. Now he was waiting on Elvis and his men, one of the armed groups had only gone and captured British Soldiers and were holding them hostage. Bones was already here and undercover, they had managed to secure the release of some of the men but it was unlikely they would be able to get any more released, this would mean going in to take them back. Diplomacy fading fast and negotiations with terrorists not an option.

-OG-

The hostages weren't in his command but he did go with the Captain to visit his released men in hospital, and their information was pretty torrid of mock executions and beatings. The gang's leaders were showing levels of instability that meant that they really would have to give a military response.

The time for negotiations now over Para's and SAS were leading the operation but Charles' sections were to come in from the other side, and push forward from there. The thing is that they were dropped by Chinook's into a swamp, poor Private Smith was up to his chest in swamp water, and the noise of the helicopter brought a lot of flak in their direction from the heavily armed insurgents, leaving the SAS to come into the village from the rear and the Paras from the west.

Charles kept hearing the term gangster every time they were mentioned in dispatches even had a gang name and although heavily armed were into drugs and drink, were untrained, unreliable, and unstable. It was pretty obvious that they would get their men back, but it didn't come without cost. Although they killed the gang members, rescued the hostages, and captured equipment they still took casualties, mainly in the paras as they surged from the west. He had got all his men back safely, but he was under no illusion it was his leadership that got them back safely, they had been very lucky in escaping casualties. Being dropped in a swamp while trying to fight at the same time, well if it hadn't been for the paras then maybe a few more of them would be going home in body bags and some might have even been from his sections.

He and Elvis were sitting on the veranda of their barracks drinking black coffee. They had got used to the bitter black tar with no milk or sugar, best to get used to that quickly you never knew if supply chains would get through.

"Well, it looks like that gang is out of action" stated Elvis staring out across the horizon

"You know Elvis, I'm not entirely comfortable with this term gang or gangster, they weren't not really"

"Ah yes, I forgot" Elvis nodded still not looking across to Charles and trying not to grin "I think there is probably more than one type of gangster, some have a conscious and some don't" sighing "and this lot didn't"

He took a sneaky looked out the corner of his eye looking at Charles, staring ahead of him, watching the camp moving about following orders, getting showered, going to the mess tent, packing up equipment for shipping back home. He wondered if Charles knew much about what his uncle was capable of, as he thought back to that day in South London, he had been there and he knew Fred had shot a man in the head. He deserved it in his opinion but still… "I keep forgetting you are well in with the mob" now that got a reaction as he saw Charles nostrils flare

"Me" exhaled Charles "You're the one with Italian connections" Elvis grinned

"Look, those guns that those Albanians were trying to smuggle out weren't coming here, but who is to say if they had got control of that wharf, those bullets these gangsters were using wouldn't have come from the UK" he shrugged "They might still have done, I suppose"

"Uncle Fred, Dave and Sam would never allow it, it's not what they are into" shaking his head vehemently

"No, they wouldn't that's why they took them out"

"What?" Charles head swinging round to look at his friend. "Took them out" he exclaimed horrified. Elvis momentarily closing his eyes and swinging his cup to throw the tarry dregs of his coffee away "The only one still alive from that, shall we say failed coup, is your brother" Elvis looked across to him properly now "Did you really not know" and this time it was Charles who shrugged a sad expression on his face "From odd things that Molly has said, from that business in the club with Gary I sort of guessed, it's not a surprise Elvis, although it should be" his shoulders rising as he inhaled "I guess, well I don't know what I thought, loveable rogues, you know Arthur Daley types, Del Boys" Elvis laughed "They are" shaking his head and still sniggering "Your Uncle Fred and that Dave crack me up once they get going, those bloody jokes" turning serious "That doesn't mean to say that if the chips are down or their family is at risk they won't do whatever it takes" laughing again "Don't think I'm ever gonna forget your Uncle barging in like that with a sawn off" almost doubling over with laughter "It was a bit of an eye opener wasn't it" responded Charles both of them now laughing, Charles long since calmed down from that night.

"What you two laughing at" said Bones as he ambled over to them "Nothing" they both laughed in unison "How's Flis" asked Charles changing the subject. Bones grinned "Long gone, now there is a very tasty dark haired medic that I have seen wandering around camp" winking at Charles knowing full well it was Georgie and it would wind up Elvis, which it did. Elvis informing him to keep his filthy hands off unless he wanted to feel some pain.

-OG-

Finally, they were on their way home but he had to go to barracks for debrief and normalisation. He would be there two days and then back to London. He phoned his mother to ask how Andrew's wedding had gone and what did she end up getting him as a present on his behalf. His mother was gushing with enthusiasm, it all went off without a hitch. Rebecca's parents were lovely, her dress was stunning, they were already back from their honeymoon in the Seychelles and as Andrew had only just finished his university course and got his results, they had decided to move in with them for the time being, while he worked his way up in the accountancy firm. Rebecca, she thought would keep him on the straight and narrow, she was so driven said his mother. Yes, that was what he remembered about her, which is why they never would have been anything other than a few brief encounters at Pantiles in Camberley. He didn't know how he would have been able to face his brother if he and Rebecca had actually been anything other than friends, even so he did think it a little odd they had got together.

Beth wanted to know when he was coming home, she would get his room aired. He couldn't help but grin that she still thought he lived there and considered it his home. Home for him was a 7th floor apartment in East London with Molly, it was anywhere she was. As soon as his leave started that was exactly where he was heading.

-OG-

It was late by the time he drove into the underground car park, was greeted with a wave by Barry on the front desk. He was an ex-soldier himself, and they often had a chat about the army and how it was changing, the cutbacks and an ever increasing demand by the UN and NATO for support.

"Let's hope we never get attacked in this country" moaned Barry shaking his head "I bet we have more soldiers abroad and fighting other people's battles than we have here to defend this country" still shaking his head "All the old regiments merging…"

Charles nodded his head giving a small smile of agreement and interrupting him "Well I need to get on, I've only just got back and I need to get squared away" picking his Bergen off the floor. That was the thing with Barry he always wanted to stop for a chat when he saw Charles having a common interest in the army.

"Course you do" grinned Barry "Miss Dawes went out a few hours ago but told me to tell you that she wouldn't be late tonight" Charles nodded "Thanks Barry" making his way to the lift. Shaking his head as he walked away, he knew both their names but insisted on calling him Captain James and Molly Miss Dawes. No matter how many times she told him to call her Molly she wasn't into all that formal stuff, he never called her anything other than Miss Dawes.

He unpacked his Bergen and put a load in the washing machine, went to the fridge and he couldn't help smiling. Looks like a shopping trip tomorrow. A slab of cheese, a couple of tomato's a couple of bottles of wine and six bottles of the beer he liked. Good job he liked his coffee black, because it looked like there was only enough milk for Molly's tea in the morning. He scanned the kitchen, a wide smile forming on his face as he realised it was spotless, looks like she has been living on take-away and cheese sandwiches while he was away. He checked the bread bin and found that the bread did indeed look fresh so making himself a cheese and tomato sandwich and opening a bottle of beer settled down in front of the TV to wait for Molly to come back.

There was some old black and white film on but he wasn't really concentrating on it. Kept thinking of that poor Captain who got a bollocking for his section being taken hostage, apparently, they were somewhere they shouldn't have been, which was ridiculous, if his patrol had been due out an hour earlier it could just as easily have been his men taken instead.

-OG-

Molly walked into their flat and put her keys in the bowl in the hall, smiling as she saw his keys there already. She saw the flickering blue light coming from the living room and made her way there, only the TV and a table lamp giving some light to the room as she stood at the entrance. She saw Charles, with his feet up on the foot stool, an empty plate and bottle of beer on the side table. His head leaning against his hand. She kicked off her shoes and padded across to him, realising he was asleep, it didn't look very comfortable. Picking up the bottle and plate to take it to the kitchen before coming back to sit next to him. Scanning his face, she could see he had got his normal dark tan on his face and arms, tiny little lines of white round his eyes where he had been squinting, she could see the dark circles and knew he must be tired, that this had been a long tour. She lifted her hand to run her fingers through his thick curls, his hair longer than when he went away and now that he was back, he would get cut as soon as he could. He jolted awake when he felt her touch, stretching out his arms in an effort to relieve the stiffness in his neck and shoulders and pins and needles in his hand from resting on it, from sleeping at that angle. His arm coming round her shoulder and pulling her into a hug. He could smell the freshness of the shampoo she used on her hair, the perfume he had bought her for her birthday, and he inhaled deeply, the familiarity of home. "I missed you" he whispered kissing her on the forehead

"Missed you too" her hand coming to rest on his waist.

"See there's not much food in" he laughed

"Nah! I know how much you like to go shopping; thought I would save it till you got back" she giggled. "You know, so you can pick your fruit and veg" Shaking his head and running his tongue over his teeth grinning at her, she knew he hated shopping but if he left it all up to her there wouldn't be any fruit and veg, her trolley filled with cheese, bread, biscuits, the closest thing to a vegetable would probably be coleslaw to go with the cheese. Her small hand still travelling up his torso until it reached the back of his neck, pulling his head down her lips brushing his, a feather light touch to start before the hunger of being apart for so many months took over, the spark that had been quietly burning during their separation igniting into a flame that didn't seem to be waning as the years had gone by.

-OG-

He wasn't surprised when Molly said she wouldn't come to Bath with him to see his parents, not once he told her that Andrew and his new wife were living there. He could understand it, after all his brother had been there that night when she was drugged and her brother shot. If they did meet at the odd social occasion, she was never openly hostile to him, but he knew her well, every inflection of her voice and expression on her face, she would only ever tolerate Andrew because he was his brother. He packed his overnight bag, kissed her on the cheek and said that he would be back by early evening the following day. No amount of pleading on his part and he had put a sterling effort in, even telling her how much his mother would like to see her, was going to get her to change her mind, her eyes telling him everything he needed to know, she was resolute that she wasn't going no matter how persuasive he was.

He was glad he did go down. He sat with his father in the snug each with a glass of whisky as they discussed Charles last tour. His father had always been a great help, chewing over their respective times and tours in the army. But now his father was telling him that it was time for him to retire, the army was changing, some of the changes he didn't approve of, lack of support when personnel left the service being one, the cutbacks while more demands were being placed on them by the UN and NATO. He didn't have a problem with women on the front line or the rules on homosexuality being lifted, about bloody time he said as he took a sip of his whisky, no reason at all why either shouldn't be valued and play an active part in the service. What he wasn't happy about was some of the historical enquiries that were starting "You mark my words this can only get worse" and Charles could only nod, for a moment he thought he was in a room with Dave, his father so incensed that people who weren't even there were passing judgement on rules of engagement, what it was like to actually be in a war situation, to have to make decisions that cost lives.

"Your mother has always liked it in Italy and we have finally bought a lovely villa in Lake Garda" Charles nodded; they had been out there as children for their holidays a little apartment they had always rented. His dad deserved this he had devoted more than half his life to the service of his country, working his way up from 2nd Lieutenant.

"What about you Charles, do you think you will want to come back to Bath to live, or try and stay in a barracks close to London" he grinned

"Don't think I will ever convince Molly to leave London permanently Dad, everywhere else is boring or a bit shit", he snorted a laugh "although Elvis did try and convince her that Manchester was nice, she might be impressed if she went up there" he couldn't help but laugh "She thought it would all be cobbled streets like it is in Coronation Street, flat caps and whippets" smirking into his drink "She said she thought it was well nice, when we went up there to see Elvis and Georgie"

"I remember having a hell of a time with your mother over that one when we first came here, she thought they were all too posh for her, they were looking down their noses at her" he sighed remembering those early days together, the residents of Royal Crescent probably never having heard a cockney accent except on TV and assuming that they must be criminals when they did. The times she asked him to get a posting in one of the London Barracks. If it hadn't been for his parents, he wasn't sure if he would have convinced her to stay, she felt so alienated at times. But she had and they had been very happy here and raised two sons. "Rebecca has suggested that the top floor is converted into a flat and when we want to come back to England for a visit we have somewhere to go, that the other two floors remain the same for them to do as we have and raise their own family"

Charles nodded, he wasn't surprised at Rebecca's suggestion, she would love living in a house like this, it was a step up that social ladder she had always aspired to "It's up to you Dad, if you're ready to move to Italy and it's not just here you could come to, there is always Uncle Fred and we have spare bedrooms"

"Don't worry Charles" he smiled at his youngest son "Your mum worked her out when you brought her home" Charles raised his eyebrows at him "That Rebecca has always been after the main chance" grinning "Well that's what your mum said, Rebecca can do whatever conversions she wants but half this house will always be yours"

"Dad" exclaimed Charles horrified at the way his father was speaking "I don't think I will ever come back to live here; Molly and I will always be OK"

"Yes, I think you will" William grinned looking into the serious eyes of his son, let's see how much of a sense of humour Charles had "I'm sure that Dave and Fred have something in mind, those gold reserves are still there"

"Dad, please don't encourage them" and they both burst out laughing

"What are you two laughing at" asked Rebecca as she came into the room "Nothing" they answered in unison like naughty schoolboys, and Rebecca gave them both a contemptuous look before giving a small smile. "Look I'm glad I caught you Charles" she said as she sat next to him "I know it's still a couple of months away but I need to organise the arrangements for Christmas" she gave one of her tinkley laughs "I know that Molly isn't strictly family but is she intending on coming down here with you for Christmas and New Year as I need to work out bedroom space, what with my family coming over this year"

"Don't worry Rebecca" he smiled at her "It will be a busy time for the clubs so we will be staying in London for the duration"

"Don't worry about us either" added William "Now that my mother has passed away, we will be going to London to spend it with Fred and his wife again this year"

"Oh, I see" she frowned "I assumed you would all be here for the festivities"

"You should have mentioned it to Beth, we have always gone to London for Christmas" said William "My parents were never fans of a big family get together, so we always went to Beth's family"

"I know you didn't come last year Dad because of Grandma, but you wait till you see the club since the revamp"

"Looking forward to it, Beth has heard all about it from Belinda" he smirked "Burlesque so I hear"

"Yes, but this year they have recruited a couple of comedy acts as well and a couple of acrobats"

"Acrobats" and Charles nodded "But not your normal acrobats, something to do with hoops"

"All sounds positively delightful" simmered Rebecca as she stood to leave, she turned her back her eyes narrowing as she seethed. She wanted his parents here with her family and she wanted to see this Molly girl, the one that had stolen Charles from her. Well in her mind she had, not that he had ever been demonstrative with his feelings. She probably had the better brother anyway; this one was at home and had qualified in finance still that was no reason they shouldn't look at career opportunities in London in the financial district. She knew that Andrews's family had businesses in London and they must have contacts that could further his career and hers for that matter.

-OG-

Christmas and New Year bringing in 2001 had been good, the club that Gary, Molly and Jackie had worked so hard to change now had a good chef and offered an extensive dinner menu along with the comedy acts and burlesque dancers. It warmed his heart to see his father laugh so much at the alternative comedy acts, his mum and dad were off themselves at the end of January to the villa in Lake Garda. His dad looked more relaxed than he had seen him in years, the thought of his retirement obviously something he was now looking forward to.

Charles had booked their own holiday, just him and Molly. This time it was to Thailand, a two centre holiday in Bangkok and Pattaya as the beach part of the holiday. He wasn't sure about that one, he heard that the American fleet sometimes sailed into that bay and it could be a bit, let's just say he knew what soldiers could be like having been away from home for months and he didn't think the Navy would be any different, what was that saying, a girl in every port. But when he had suggested somewhere quiet Molly said she would like to try somewhere a bit livelier this time, especially as they were going so far afield. He really needed to get a grip, she told him, and she wasn't a prude grinning at him while licking her bottom lip before biting it and waggling her eyebrows. Sometimes he really didn't know how he kept his hands off her, she knew exactly how to push his buttons and Pattaya was where they were going.

-OG-

They did all the tourist trips while in Bangkok, went to the palace with the golden roofs, Molly giggling that it was a good job Uncle Fred, Sam and Dave weren't here, they would defo have got the lads in and stripped it before morning, much easier than nicking the gold reserves. He shook his head but couldn't help but laugh before telling her they had the death penalty here and the gold reserves might just be the safer option. Next was the floating market which she thought stank, and he better find her a McDonalds cos there was no way she was eating anything from here. Next was a trip that took them up to Death Railway and the River Kwai, they took a train trip into the jungle, where they were due to have a lunch with the rest of the tour group. Even he was dubious about eating anything, ominous looking stews bubbling away, but there she was stating she was bleedin starving and she didn't give a shit if it was a scabby rat, she was eating it. It was at that point she noticed that some of the Australian tourists had toilet rolls in their backpacks and he burst out laughing "That's because they've been eating the scabby rats", he got a slap on the arm for that one. God knows what was in that stew she ate but she didn't seem any the worse for ware for it. The guide tried to tell her it was a monkey and she just shrugged and said I'm sure the blokes what built this railway had eaten worse. Charles watched the guide deflate, his attempt at a joke to wind up the tourists wasted on Molly.

She held his hand tightly when they went to the war graves on the way back. He had been to many remembrance services with his parents while growing up and with his time in the army. While this wasn't anything like that it was incredibly humbling when you saw how many white stones marked a fallen man and there was a very sombre atmosphere amongst the tourists. Her other hand coming up to grip his arm "I don't think I ever realised" she whispered her voice fading away as he looked down "This is what you do isn't it" her eyes awash with tears as she blinked them away "Go fight in wars" and her eyes moved to the thousands of markers. He shook his arm free from her hands and put it round her shoulders, pulling her into him "Yes but not like this" his own eyes moving round the serene gardens at the men who hadn't made it home "It's so sad ain't it Charlie" she sighed burying her head in his chest "All them hopes" she looked down at the grave of a man they were standing in front of "Wondering about home, never seeing your kids grow" Her arms around his waist her cheek against his chest, she didn't think she had ever felt so sad in her entire life.

Bangkok had been busy with all the things to see and do and Molly said they needed to spend time just chilling, re-charge their batteries before they headed back. Even just walking about she had caught the sun, her light tan bringing out the freckles across her nose. The first day in their hotel in Pattaya they just sat on the sun loungers soaking up the sun, messing about in the pool. The whole place fascinated Molly, laughing at every second shop being a clinic, every pub was a friendly bar and maybe the council should take a look at this place before deciding that Soho was a bit sleazy. His heart sank when one of the American ships sailed in, but Molly was in her element people watching. Disgusted when really old blokes were coping off with girls, she was sure were underage, if they were at home they would be paedos, arrested and put on a register.

She got him to go to one of the Thai boxing matches, he had been to boxing matches before, after all his Uncle and Dave had a gym that trained up boxers, he had seen Gary and Jack both fight in matches, but this certainly wasn't Queensbury rules, the way they kicked their opponent. Molly screaming encouragement as she had backed one of them, jumping up and down excitedly.

They had moved from the back room when it finished and were sat in the bar as she was talking with the barmaid, who was now currently showing her pictures of her British boyfriend and asking Molly if she knew him. Molly laughing and telling her that she only knew a few people and they all came from London, her bloke lived in Surrey and she didn't know anyone from Surrey. She clocked something that was going on behind the bar and suddenly jumped off her bar stool, a frown on her face as she put her arms round his neck, "Where's your wallet" she whispered in his ear, he pulled back a bit looking at the sudden grin appearing on her face "Back pocket" and she nodded, her hands sliding down his back making him shiver before removing it "Stick it in the front pocket Charlie"

He looked at her quizzically but trusted that she had seen something, he wasn't surprised he had felt uncomfortable ever since they had arrived in this bar. He wasn't bothered about the boxing out the back, but since coming into the bar even with Molly sitting next to him girls were coming up to him and asking him if he wanted sex, he had even looked to Molly for help as the last girl had said she could come too. Molly had said no thank you and then just laughed like a drain at his face, but she had then got into this conversation with the barmaid and they had stayed here. He put his wallet in his front pocket and Molly stood between his legs leaning against him while he was still sat on the bar stool. "Serves em right of course" she giggled close to his ear making him shiver again as it tickled "I think they might be a bit worried they won't get paid, you know for the services" she raised her eyebrows "They're nicking their wallets, taking the cash, and putting the wallets back"

"You've got to be joking" and she shook her head grinning "Silly sods, should have sorted a deal up front, they will look right twats when they wake up tomorrow with no cash, still serves 'em right" she shrugged turning her back on him leaning against him and resuming her conversation with the bar maid protecting his wallet now in his front pocket as she stood between his legs one hand on his leg the other on the bar.

He wrapped his arms around her waist as she leant against him and he couldn't help it, the words just came out "Marry me" his chin on her shoulder. He had been thinking about this for months, looking for that perfect moment, that perfect place but here he was in some friendly bar in Pattaya, surrounded by ladies of the night stealing wallets and he couldn't stop himself from asking her.

He felt her stiffen against him before turning round to face him, her arms on his shoulders as her hands went round his neck. Her eyes looking almost luminous in this light as they bored into his dark ones searching his eyes and face to see if he was taking the piss and realising, he was deadly serious with his question.

Molly had idolised him for as long as she could remember, dyed her hair blonde thinking he preferred them and would hopefully notice her, or that's what her mate Proud Mary had said. But he hadn't. Then suddenly, he did see her and not as a little kid anymore. They had been together ever since and her feelings had grown over the years, she loved him with every fibre of her being, but couldn't quite believe that someone like him would want to marry someone like her.

Charles had pulled in the corner of his lip as he bit it waiting on her reply, worried she might say no, he hadn't taken her anywhere romantic, got down on one knee or anything, just blurted it out when he felt her lean against him. Here they were surrounded by young girls, selling themselves and stealing wallets and all he wanted was for this one to spend the rest of her life with him. It felt eternity to him before she spoke

"You mean it Charlie"

"Of course I mean it, I wouldn't have asked otherwise" he rolled his eyes grinning at her as he cupped her face with his hands "So…Will you marry me?"

Her face broke out into a huge grin only matched by his "Yeah"

"I have been thinking about this for months" he smiled at her "I wasn't planning on doing it here" as he looked around the bar "Was going to wait until we were home, take you up West look for a ring"

"What Hatton Garden?" her eyes lighting up with mirth, his eyebrows forming a frown but still smiling "You wouldn't be using it as an excuse to case the place for your Dad would you?"

She threw her head back laughing before kissing him briefly "Course not but I can tell you are a Captain in the British Army you don't half come up with some good ideas sometimes"

"Molly" he said seriously his hands on her hips pulling her closer

"I'm joking"

-OG-

It was a whirl wind when they got home. Molly was really busy with her brother Gary. They were opening a new club and there was so much to do. They were going into business with Nicky and Toni. It was Nicky that had acquired the empty building, it was run down and derelict, the previous owner having a serious gambling habit and it was only fair that Nicky should suggest the building would pay off his debts. Toni and he could have gone to their father Costa for the rest of the money needed for the conversion and updates to bring it up to standard to meet health, safety, and fire regulations. He had seen what Gary and Molly had done with their club over in the east and this one really should reap the rewards, it was not far from the main part of Soho and the Theatre district so they should have a huge potential, but it needed to be even more upmarket. There was a much smaller room upstairs that Nicky thought they could use as select members only casino. Booths with high backs all facing the small stage and could seat up to 10, would keep a personal touch for private parties.

They were on track for their completion and the opening date was beginning of September. Plenty of time to get a good reputation and build a client list ready for the busy time of Christmas and New Year. Profits would be huge, after all it was the Dawes supplying the booze and only the very top shelf was the real thing. Both men very excited at their new business venture and even Molly and Toni were drawn into their enthusiasm and looking forward to opening night. All the families had been invited both Cos and Dave saying how much they were looking forward to it. After all these years, their kids had grown into astute businessmen "and women" huffed Cos' wife who was just coming in with a tray of refreshments. She adored her husband and her boys, but she couldn't help but admire the tenacity of little Molly, how she had convinced her father and brothers she could be part of the business and she had more than proved she could do it. By all accounts this club they were setting up with her boys was something special.

Cos nodded at his wife's comment "I always hoped that maybe your Molly and my Toni might have made a go at a relationship, but it seems she only has eyes for that soldier of hers"

Dave laughed, "Cos, she's not Greek, she never would have done what your Toni wanted, stayed at home and cooked a dinner, washed his clothes or do what he told her" he shook his head "She's always been headstrong that girl" Cos threw his head back in laughter "I remember, the blonde hair" shaking his own head "Did she ever get that tattoo" Dave nodded shook his head and rolled his eyes, he hadn't seen it but Belinda told him that she had got one. Belinda was sure she only did it to prove to her father he couldn't stop her doing what she wanted and that never again was he to make such a fuss or she would be covered in the bloody things. Still, she had grown up a lot over the last few years and he had a feeling that young Charles had a lot to do with that.

"That is some rock she's wearing" continued Cos and Dave nodded grinning "Yep he only took her to Hatton Garden to get it, had it made special, must have cost a packet"

"You didn't help out" queried Cos "Well I did offer once he told me which jeweller, Fred and I did them over back in the '70's, if they haven't updated their security it would be a piece of piss to go in and get it for him" Cos smirked "He didn't want you to" "Nah mate" Dave answered taking a puff of his cigarette "Reckons he wants Molly to be able to wear it and not keep it hidden and stuffed in a drawer"

-OG-

The opening night of the Dawes and Latsis club was full every table taken. Waiters and waitresses looking pristine in their black outfits and white shirts. Much to Molly's surprise even Andrew and Rebecca came to their opening night, she still struggled with his presence, had an urge to make him feel pain.

As it was an opening night, they had decided against a three course meal, too much stress and just do canapes, their chef excelling himself and their waiters on point at making sure that everyone was fed, cocktails and fizz supplied as soon as glasses were empty. They had laid out a table with food but still had waiters taking round samples along with cocktails. Charles had invited Elvis and Georgie at Molly's request and Georgie was so excited at being at an opening night, never having been to one before. Not that they had many photographers there, only one in fact that knew who not to take photos of but who moved from table to table taking promotional photos.

Rebecca was in her element, she loved London and while she had been born and raised in Bath the same as Andrew, she loved the idea of the cosmopolitan lifestyle. Her eyes following Charles around the room, he seemed to know so many people, not realising that he had only got to know them because of Molly. She recognised Elvis of course from the days in Camberley when they had both been at Sandhurst, why was she not surprised by the girl sitting next to him, she was so his type as she watched her laughing with Molly.

She was talking with Beth, who was explaining who everyone was. Dave and his wife Belinda, their sons Gary and Jack along with little Molly. Yes, she was short but why did they call her that, not realising that for so long she had been the baby of the family and the only girl. Sam and his wife Chloe, he was a business associate of Dave and her brother Fred. Obviously, she had met Fred and his wife Josie at the wedding. The next table was Cos Latsis with his wife and two sons Nicky and Toni. They had a similar look to Elvis, tall, dark haired and eyed, straight white teeth she noticed as they laughed with their parents. Andrew was a bloody good accountant and she was well known for her designs, why hadn't they been asked to help set this club up, she gave the club interior an appraising look and it was good, she could have come up with something like this. Beth had said that the families were all friends, had been for decades but this was the first business they owned together.

The main shows had finished and everyone was starting to mingle, Gary and Nicky giving full guided tours to all the public area's including the small private casino upstairs. Rebecca noticed the look given by Gary to Andrew and she filed it away meaning to ask questions about it later, it wasn't a friendly look. What she did want to do was to make sure that they knew she was an interior designer and could project manage any plans they had for more clubs like this in the future. She couldn't understand why Andrew didn't make more of his connections up here, his family certainly seemed to know enough businessmen to set them up for life. She quite liked the idea of living up here in one of those luxury apartments by the river and then go to the Bath house for weekends, after all that was all paid for and would make a lovely weekend retreat until they wanted to live there permanently.

-OG-

Molly and Georgie had been dancing for some time before they both came back to the booth. Georgie flopping down next to Elvis saying her feet were killing her, she wasn't used to heels these days. Molly grinned and walked to the bar. It was coming towards the end of the evening and many had already left, all the older members of the family certainly had as they thought the music too loud and not to their taste. The photographer and their invited guests also gone. The doors had stayed open and only a few people who had come in off the street to look at a new venue in the area remained.

"Oh shit, who let her in" Charles heard Jack say and everyone turned to look following his eyes to a long haired girl sitting next to a man who had his arm round her shoulder both laughing and banging the bar to attract the barman. "Do you know how long she has been here Gaz" nodding towards the bar and Gary shrugged. "Been sat there for a couple of hours I think" added Nicky. Molly had been talking with one of the waiters at the end of the bar before walking back towards their table. The girl had obviously said something as it attracted Molly's attention and she turned back and stood next to her.

"Who is it" Charles whispered across to Jack although he had a vague recollection, he knew her face, or thought he may have done, the gaunt look of the girl was not someone he had seen recently though.

"Proud Mary" he answered "although she is off her patch, thought she hung about in the Stratford clubs, and not sure why she is here"

Charles went to stand and go to her but Jack put out his hand and shook his head "She can deal with it; she'll call if she wants help" Molly was just standing there the girl was obviously saying something that was clearly irritating her. Charles was transfixed staring at what was happening before his eyes. This Proud Mary was poking Molly in the chest and looked like she was angry, the man she was with smirking although he hadn't left his seat. He could see Molly's face and it was devoid of all emotion, completely blank and he knew that could be dangerous. He looked across to both Jack and Gary who were both watching but not making any attempt to help and again he went to stand but Jack shook his head. Gary lifted a hand and looked across to someone and then pointed. Charles turned to see a couple of their security team nod and were also watching the situation with their arms folded.

-OG-

"You owe me Molly" said her one time friend poking her in the chest "It's all your fault"

"What is" sneered Molly "I owe you nothing" she hadn't seen Mary for years why was she suddenly turning up now and what the hell was she on about.

"He loved me you know" said Mary "It's your fault we're not together, you made him go away"

"What are you on about you mad cow"

"Artan" she slurred completely unconcerned about the man sitting next to her with his arm round her "Said he loved me and you made him disappear" raising her eyebrows

Molly looked around her and saw a couple of the bouncers looking in her direction already aware that this might be a problem "If he disappeared Mary, it was his own fault, he tried to take stuff that wasn't his to take and pissed off a lot of people" well it was the truth, she had just left out it was her family's yard he was trying to take.

"Nah you're wrong, he told me he dumped you because of that bloke over there" nodding in Charles direction "You just didn't like the fact he moved on with me" Molly looked at her incredulous she could be so gullible about a twat like Artan and shook her head "you were welcome to him mate"

Mary launched herself off her bar stool at Molly "I'll tell him, that posh bloke of yours, that you had him done away with because he loved me more, I could tell him lots of things about you Molly Dawes" Molly looked at her one time friend she wasn't just pissed, she was off her nut on something. The years hadn't done her any favours had they? She waved her hand towards the bouncer looking at them, pointing at the boyfriend who looked like he was about to join in. Mary she could handle, but he looked to be in a similar state and she didn't want this being any more embarrassing than it already was as her eyes scanned the bar area wondering if people could hear what was being said.

"Don't be so fuckin stupid, tell him what you like Mare, I ain't got nothing to hide, Artan was a shit, he didn't love you anymore than he loved me" she sighed "he was just after the main chance and his luck ran out"

"You cow" screamed Mary as she moved into Molly's space head to head with her "I'll go to the cops tell them you had him killed"

Molly went up a notch with her irritation, thank goodness the club was nearly empty, although the music was still bellowing out she was mortified, Mary causing a scene like this people at the bar looking at the unscheduled show, she grabbed her hair pulling her head back "not a smart move Mary unless you want to end up joining him" she started pulling her by the hair towards the exit one of the bouncers instantly by her side to take the boyfriend. "I heard he was helping his people, have you tried going to Kosovo to look for him" Molly knew exactly where Artan was, Gary had told her what had happened that day, Mary was just pissing in the wind if she thought she knew anything. Molly continued dragging her towards the exit and they were standing on the street. Molly looked into her one time friend's eyes, pretty sure now that she had taken something "I know exactly what you and he did on me birthday. If you fancied him and wanted to shag him you should have said, I would have given him to you, he never meant anything to me" she grinned as she threw Mary away from her. Watched her stumble "Don't go to the cops with what you think you know, perhaps it was your jealousy that made him disappear, I expect he's living it up with another bird somewhere and that's the most likely don't you think, never could keep his old chap in his pants" and Molly raised her eyebrows shrugging.

As Mary's head turned back to face Molly, she looked at the way she was dressed saw the icy coldness in her face and realised that perhaps this confrontation had been unwise, that Molly and her family could pass the suspicion of Artan's disappearance back to her. It hadn't crossed her mind that Molly knew about her and Artan, thought Molly had just been ignoring her for the posh bloke. She couldn't stop staring at Molly, how she didn't look like she had aged one bit, while she was under no illusion she had hung on to that fresh faced look of a teenager, the crack had taken care of that, another thing that Artan had got her into. She'd crossed lines, too many now as the years had gone past, and she was now sure that Artan was aware that Molly had always known about them. He'd pretty much seen to it their paths never crossed, moved them away from the area for a while, got her out earning for him. Molly was still looking at her, but she couldn't read her face, any lingering concern or regrets for their friendship long gone. A cold chill sweeping across her and acknowledging that it might be best to let sleeping dogs lie, she had known Molly and her family since they were kids at school, she knew what they were capable of. Her Mum told her, when she first started going on about Artan and that he wouldn't just walk out on her, that he probably would and it was nothing to do with the Dawes. Maybe Molly was right and he had just gone off with some other girl, she knew he liked to put it about a bit. Even when he was secretly seeing her behind Molly's back, she was with Molly when they saw him with another girl in a taxi, said she was his cousin.

Molly took a deep breath as she stood at the top of the steps, momentarily closed her eyes as came back into the club with the bouncer, who had ejected Mary's male friend. Charles was standing his face a picture of concern and she smiled one of her winning smiles. The past was finished with, her friend could never hurt her again. She wondered if Artan had got her on the drugs, she certainly never took them when she knew her, a little sad that their friendship had ended. That toe rag Artan had played them both but Mary had chosen him over her mate, might have even been happy if she and Jack had died that night. She owed her nothing.

She was more than a little embarrassed at having to do that in front of everyone but as she approached the table Gary asked if it was all sorted and she nodded, she didn't think Mary would bother them again. She could have done without this on their opening night. Thank goodness that her parents, Andrew and Rebecca had left with Fred and Josie and Charles' parents, that was the last thing she wanted was for them to see this. It was bad enough Georgie and Elvis seeing her frog march someone out the club by their hair.