Belgravia, London
United Kingdom
"I hear someone made quite the impression at Lieutenant General White's annual garden party last week," Jackie gave me a knowing smile on Skype. She was scheduled to be in Kenya for another six weeks.
"It never ceases to amaze me how gossip always manages to find you."
"I have my ways," Jackie laughed. "I notice you're sitting on an unfamiliar bed. Does it happen to belong to Captain Scrummy?"
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Jacs, but the bed I am sitting on does not belong to Bones. I'm actually in London at his best mate's house."
"Does this mean you have another posh event to attend?"
"Perhaps," I confirmed coyly.
"I hate to break it to you Molls, but this seems like more than just mates to me. In fact, I heard that Bones specifically used the term 'girlfriend' when he introduced you to White."
"Is there anything you don't know?" I rolled my eyes in exasperation.
"Rarely."
"Since you seem to know everything, perhaps you could help me with a question that has me a bit flummoxed?"
"Crack on," Jackie invited. "You know I am always up for a challenge."
"Any thoughts as to why a Senior Officer would randomly salute an Officer of a lower rank?" I posed, still mystified by what I had witnessed at the garden party.
"That's a random question."
"Over the duration of White's party, I witnessed two Generals, one Brigadier, and two Colonels randomly salute Bones before he had so much as even acknowledged them," I explained.
"Really?" Jackie's curiosity was piqued. "Did you ask him about it?"
"Of course, I did," I sighed. "The first two times he told me I was imaging things. He flat out ignored me when I asked the third, fourth, and fifth time."
"I've got it!" Jackie exclaimed, a look of satisfaction appearing on her face. "I remember once being told that there is an unspoken tradition where a Senior Officer may choose to salute a subordinate if the subordinate has been awarded the Victoria Cross."
"Is it possible Bones has been awarded the highest decoration in the British Armed Forces?" I pondered, wondering why, if he truly was a Victoria Cross recipient, he would even need my assistance in obtaining his promotion to Major.
"It would explain the salutes. From everything I have heard about Bones, he does not seem like the type of bloke to rest on his laurels. That could explain why he was so cagey at the party."
"True," I considered the possibility.
"We may want to rethink my theory. I just pulled up the list of Victoria Cross recipients and there is no 'McClyde' listed anywhere on the site."
"Is it possible he was awarded it in connection with a covert op?" I wondered, knowing that much of his work was classified.
"I had not considered it, but it would make sense," Jackie agreed. "I suppose you'll have to ferret it out of him. Speaking of Bones and his secrets, has he finally revealed his first name, or does he prefer for you to scream out 'Bones' when he demonstrates his prowess as a 4-Star Manwhore?"
"Jackie," I blushed, embarrassed that my relationship was nothing like what my best mate imagined.
"Fess up Dawesey, has he revealed his name or not?"
"He hasn't. Each time I ask, he gives me the same ridiculous answer."
"Let me guess, he says it's classified."
"Bob's your uncle!" I laughed. "How did you ever guess?"
"He seems like the type that would say that. Joking aside, you should be careful with him, Molls. He strikes me as someone who has no intention of ever settling down. Then there's the fact he's in The Regiment. You know how risky that is, just look at Elvis. I don't want to see you hurt again. I care about you, Molls, and want the best for you."
"I know, Jacs, and I appreciate it. When it comes to Bones, my eyes are wide open, and I know exactly what I am getting myself into," I promised, even though deep down I wasn't entirely certain I actually knew what I had gotten myself into.
-X-
"Hiya, Molly," Jack greeted me later that evening after Max and I had returned from Mayfair, where we had visited a milliner for a new hat and a seamstress to ensure my dress fit perfectly for tomorrow's garden party at Buckingham Palace.
"Hi Jack," I smiled warmly at Bones's best mate. "Has Bones arrived yet?" I hadn't heard or seen Bones since he had dropped me off at my flat after Lieutenant General White's garden party, which had been over a week ago. The only contact I had received, had been from Max, informing me that Bones was busy with work and for me to arrive in London the day before the party so that we could arrange to have my dress fitted.
"The knobhead arrived nearly an hour ago looking all biscuit arsed and in as foul of a mood as ever. I suggest you steer clear of him, unless you fancy having one hell of a row."
"Thanks for the warning," I chuckled, wondering if the man was ever in what would be considered a 'good' mood.
"Was your outing with my better half a success?"
"Yes. Your better half has impeccable taste," I gave Max a warm smile.
"That he does," Jack winked at his husband. "I'm sure you will look beautiful tomorrow even if my tosser of a best mate cannot be bothered to take his head out of his arse and notice what is right bloody in front of him…"
"It's all right, Jack. You know I'm just his 'fake girlfriend' and nothing more," I reminded. "It's not like I'm looking for a relationship with him. My last relationship is enough to put me off relationships for a lifetime, but you already know all of the sordid details about that. Anyway, it's not like he fancies me," I added, before heading up the staircase with my dress and hatbox, failing to miss the knowing looks that were exchanged between Max and Jack.
-X-
Shortly thereafter, I decided, that bad mood or not, I should probably check with Bones to see if he had any last-minute orders for tomorrow.
I walked out into the hallway towards his closed bedroom door and found myself pausing before I knocked. For some unknown reason, I suddenly felt an attack of collywobbles in my stomach. I could not fathom, why after the number of ear bashings I had received from the man thus far, that the prospect of dealing with his potentially bad mood was now making me nervous? I was tougher than this, wasn't I? I didn't want to contemplate that perhaps there was another reason for the butterflies I hadn't felt in so very long…
-X-
"Bones?" I opened his bedroom door after receiving no response to my knocks. Taking a reassuring breath, I slowly entered the room, hoping I wasn't making a huge cock-up.
"Bones?" I tried again to no avail. "Where could he be?" I wondered aloud, as I took in the empty room. I noticed his bergen on the floor near the dressing table and his watch on the bedside table next to his wallet.
"Wait," I grinned, as an idea sprung to mind. His wallet likely contained some form of identification which might be my one and only opportunity to discover his name.
I carefully approached the bedside table, and paused for a moment to take one last look around the empty room before I cautiously reached for the black bi-fold wallet. Holding the wallet in the palm of my left hand, I absently traced the worn leather with my right fingertips before finding the nerve to flip it open.
"Jackpot!" I exclaimed with delight as I spotted the top of his driving license peeking out at me.
"Not so fast, you bloody thief," a familiar voice growled into my ear, scaring the wits out of me. I then felt a pair of strong arms reach from behind and pull me up against his bare chest.
"W-hat t-the f-uck?" I stuttered, wide-eyed and trembling as he entrapped me with a vice like grip around my waist.
"Care to explain why you were trying to pinch my wallet, Dawes?" Bones demanded in a steely voice, his breath warm against my neck, his spiced aftershave making me all the more aware of his powerful body pressing against me.
"I-I w-wasn't trying to nick it," I protested before making a futile effort to pull away from him. This only caused him to tighten his arms and pull me even closer into his hard, muscular frame. "I-I came looking for you and y-you weren't here…" I stuttered, my body quivering from his nearness.
"So, you decided to snoop around like some bloody Miss Marple?" Bones accused, removing his wallet from my shaking hands and throwing it onto the floor.
"L-let me go," I struggled against Bones's unyielding body, as it finally dawned on me that the only thing he was wearing, was a bath towel draped casually around his waist. I needed to get away from this precarious situation fast. Not only was I mortified that he had caught me snooping, the thought that I was being held so tightly against his incredible physique was disconcerting to say the least. I needed to do a runner before he realized that I was sexually aware of him.
"You're not very skilled at playing the amateur detective, are you?"
"N-no, now let me go!" I yelled at the top of my lungs, desperate to flee the prospect of further embarrassment. I had humiliated myself more than enough for one evening.
"Bones, let her go, now!" Jack ordered in tone that brooked no argument, having obviously heard my yell.
"Looks like your knight in shining armour has arrived just in time," Bones sneered before releasing me, clearly aggravated by Jack's interference.
"Why do you persist at always being such an arsehole?" I angrily turned to face him, not realising my mistake, as I was suddenly confronted by the sight of his near naked body.
"Catching flies again, Dawesey?" Bones smirked at my startled expression, clearly hoping to embarrass me further. "As flattering as it is to see you make sheep's eyes at me, perhaps you could tell me just what the fuck you were doing with my wallet?" he demanded, causing me to blush in response.
"J-Jack, uh, told me you were here and I thought I would see if you had any further instructions for tomorrow. I haven't heard from you since the uh, g-garden party and I…"
"Quit faffing about Dawesey, and get to the bloody point," Bones ordered, obviously seeing right through my attempt to avoid having to explain the fiasco.
"You weren't here, and I now realize that you must have been in the shower. Anyway, I saw your w-wallet, and I dunno, I suppose I thought I might find something in it with your name."
"You seem to have quite the obsession with my name," Bones rolled his eyes. "Lucky for me, you're a rubbish pickpocket," he chuckled. "I'll have to keep a closer eye out for your inept klepto tendencies in the future."
"You wouldn't have to, if you would just tell me your bloody name," I argued.
"Didn't you ever learn that curiosity killed the cat, Dawesey," Bones mocked. "Now if you don't mind, I would like to get dressed, so if you don't want to enjoy every glorious centimetre of my body, I suggest you sod off."
"Glady," I scowled as I watched him turn his back to me and head towards the en-suite, aghast to discover the 6-centimetre gash on his left torso.
-X-
"Bones McClyde, stop where you are right now!" I ordered in my sternest nurse voice, before stalking over to him.
"Bloody hell, can't a man get any peace around you?"
"Care to tell me what the fuck that is?" I pointed at what appeared to be knife laceration for all intents and purposes.
"Nothing," Bones responded, deadpan.
"Nothing?" I raised a sceptical eyebrow at him. "Are you forgetting that in addition to being a nurse, I was also a CMT and am quite familiar with what a knife wound looks like?"
"She's got you there, mate," Jack smirked.
"It's just a nick," Bones shrugged.
"Nick my arse," I rolled my eyes before turning towards Jack. "Your numbskull of a best mate hasn't quite realised that his 'nick' appears to be in the early stages of an infection. Fortunately, I never travel without my first aid supplies. I suggest youget a pair of trousers on the numpty while I grab my kit," I ordered, annoyed that Bones would be stupid enough ignore the fact that he required medical attention.
-X-
"Care to explain how you came across this souvenir?" I inquired once Bones was seated in a chair in front of me in his Adidas track bottoms.
"Stop being a twit, Dawesey, you know I cannot tell you that. Christ, did you bloody have to do that?" he scowled at me as I started to clean his wound with antiseptic.
"That's what you get for calling me a twit," I smiled at him.
"I don't know why you are insisting on making such a fuss," he protested. "It's not that bad."
"Keep telling yourself that," I rolled my eyes. "You know, a boyfriend who isn't a prat like you, might actually inform his girlfriend he is busy at work or tied up on a business trip, rather than delegate that task to his mate," I added with sarcasm.
"Stop trying to wind-me up, and just get on with it," Bones grumbled, clearly annoyed with my ministrations.
"These sutures are rubbish. No wonder you are getting an infection. Your medic is total crap," I observed.
"I'll pass along your compliments to Peanut," Bones glared at me. "I'm sure an actual medic, and not a clever-clogs like you, would have been useful at time. However, chance would be a fine thing in my line of work."
"Says he who thinks he's it," I scoffed, before jabbing his wound area with a numbing agent.
"Ouch !" Bones yelped. "Could you have at least given me a bloody warning before doing that?"
"What, the tough SAS Captain is acting like a moaning Minnie over a tiny little jab? I thought your lot were made of sterner stuff," I mocked as I started removing the existing sutures.
"I swear, Dawesey, one of these days I'm gonna…"
"Bones, do me a favour and shut your fucking gob," I interrupted. "I need to concentrate, unless you want me to muck up your 'nick' even more than it already is? Now I would appreciate it if you could stop your pathetic whinging and let me get on with my job," I ordered in my best Nurse Ratched voice.
-X-
"You should be sound as a pound now, mate," I finished applying a fresh dressing to Bones's newly cleaned and sutured wound. "Do yourself a favour, and give it a rest for tonight. The last thing we need is for you to go gallivanting off and making a mockery of my handiwork. I'll take a look at it in the morning," I promised, as I gathered up my medical supplies.
"I suppose I should consider myself fortunate not to have a minging nurse this time around," Bones drawled impassively.
"No, just a remotely tolerable one," I retorted before grabbing my bergen. "Am I correct that even the mere suggestion that tomorrow's event may be pushing it is out of the question?"
"I cannot have Her Majesty, The Queen, thinking that one of her Officers is not made of sterner stuff as you so diplomatically put it."
"Seriously, tomorrow is a long day and you might want to…"
"Enough with the mother hen nonsense, Dawesey," Bones interrupted. "I think you will find that when it comes to my body, I know what is best."
"Suit yourself," I shrugged. "It's time I went off to Bedfordshire," I turned to exit the room, frustrated by his lack of appreciation.
"Molly," Bones stood up and reached out for my wrist, gently pulling me to him.
"What now?" I wasn't in the mood for further recriminations.
"Thank you," he acknowledged gruffly, his discomfort with the situation clearly evident. "I know I can be a bit of a bastard…"
"A bit?" I raised an eyebrow at him, unable to resist baiting him.
"All right. More than a bit," Bones exhaled. "Anyway, I think you should know that I…," he paused, almost seeming uncharacteristically uncertain. "I think you're the nuts as a medic and as a nurse," he finished with a peculiar look in his eyes, almost as if he had meant to say something else entirely.
"O-oh, uh, I was just doing my job," I brushed his compliment aside, a small sense of disappointment that his compliment had pertained to my nursing skills and nothing more.
"Right," he nodded awkwardly, before releasing my arm, saying goodnight, and leaving me once again utterly confounded by his behaviour.
-X-
"Absolutely stunning!" Max declared with excitement after securing one final pin in my hair.
For today's event, we had chosen an azure coloured Stella McCartney midi-length dress with a Queen Anne neckline, capped sleeves, delicate pinched in details at the waist, and a pencil style skirt. Max had suggested I pair it with a modest pair of black, slingback kitten heels as I would be on my feet most of the day. I also did not want another OTT reaction from Bones regarding my choice of footwear. Max had chosen to secure my hair in an elegant chignon. For my hat, we had opted for an elegant black silk disc with dramatic black and azure quills.
"You scrub up pretty well yourself, Max," I complimented. Both Max and Jack would be attending today's party with us. Max had informed me that he and his tailor could never turn down the opportunity for him to wear morning dress as it meant that he could invest in a new morning coat, waistcoat, formal striped trousers, and handkerchief.
"Hopefully my better half still thinks that after he sees the bill from my tailor," Max chuckled as Bones sauntered into my bedroom wearing a charcoal grey lounge suit that fit him like a glove.
"Christ almighty, I should have known," Bones griped before rolling his eyes at us.
"Do I really need to be subjected to this again?" I groaned, not looking forward to him voicing yet another flaw in my appearance.
"To what again?"
"Listening to you find fault with my appearance. Have you ever stopped to think maybe I'm sick of you making me feel unattractive?"
"Dawesey, will you shut your bloody gob for once in your damned life," Bones gave me an annoyed look. "I was actually referring to the toffee nosed, upper class twit standing next to you."
"O-oh," I stammered in surprise, feeling like a complete prannet.
"Stop being so peevish," Max huffed. "You're just jealous that I can pull off morning dress with perfect aplomb."
"Suit yourself," Bones shrugged.
"I'll have you know that Giles was most pleased with this creation."
"Giles was clearly talking out of his arse," Bones muttered.
"Who is Giles?" I interjected.
"Giles is our tailor. Although what he is doing with Bones for a client is beyond me. Giles has exquisite taste and his tailoring skills are sublime. I, being the debonair gentleman that I am, provide Giles with endless opportunities to demonstrate his artistry in its highest form. Unfortunately, the numbskull standing next to me, forces Giles to waste his talents on bog standard lounge suits such as the one seen before you."
"Bog standard my arse," Bones objected angrily. "I'll have you know…"
"Oi! Keep your hair on. You sound like bloody teenage girls," I chuckled. "This is all a bit apples and oranges if you ask me. If Giles could hear you now, he would fire the pair of you."
"We certainly cannot have that, now can we, Bones?" Max smirked.
"No, but if you so much as wear a bloody top hat today, I will gladly use it for target practice tomorrow," Bones warned.
"No worries, mate. I promise just to carry it. As we are not at the races, I would be in gross violation of etiquette if I wore it. You know I cannot abide by that."
"You and your bloody Debrett's," Bones rolled his eyes. "Now if you don't mind, Max, I need to speak to Dawesey before we leave. Alone," he added for emphasis.
-X-
"How is your wound? Are you sure you are up for this?" I questioned Bones anxiously as soon as Max had departed the room.
"It's fine, Dawesey. You saw it only two hours ago and said it was vastly improved. I doubt much has changed since then."
"Right," I gave an awkward smile, not entirely sure what he wanted with me.
"I have something for you," Bones announced impassively.
"Y-you do?" I was taken aback by his revelation.
"Face the mirror and close your eyes," he ordered coolly, his demeanour aloof.
"Why?" I protested, confused by his command.
"Just do what you're bloody told for once, poppet."
"F-fine," I conceded, before nervously turning towards the full-length mirror and closing my eyes as instructed.
Suddenly I heard him reaching for something from within his suitcoat before he slowly approached me from behind and placed a warm, but firm hand on my left shoulder.
"I'm not going to bite," Bones chuckled into my ear as my body trembled from his nearness. He then proceeded to lean closer and drape what felt like a necklace over the nape of my neck. "No peeking," he warned, as my eyes started to flutter in surprise.
"W-hat are y-you doing?" I whispered, as I felt him manipulating the clasp.
"Quiet, poppet," he tutted as he placed both hands on my shoulders. "I'm not quite finished." I then felt him lean even closer, making me quiver, before he gently placed an earring into each ear.
"You can open, now," Bones breathed, as he wrapped both of his arms around my waist and pulled me up against his hard, male body.
-X-
"Bones?" I looked at my reflection in sheer astonishment. Around my neck was a delicate white gold chain with three interlaced circular bands resting above the neckline of my dress. The first band was comprised of what I hoped were not actual diamonds, the second, white gold, and the third, a black ceramic material. The earrings were identical to the design of the necklace.
"Do you like them?" he asked, staring into the mirror from behind me, his eyes intently fixed on my reflection.
"They are absolutely beautiful, but I don't understand," I protested in confusion.
"They're yours," Bones declared roughly.
"B-but w-why?" I trembled against him.
"I want you to have them."
"They're not real diamonds, are they?" I asked nervously.
"Of course, they are. You don't honestly think I would purchase some jerry-built imitation crap, do you?"
"Bones, as beautiful this is, I couldn't possibly accept. I've never even owned jewellery like this before… What if I damage it, or lose it, or…?"
"Do I need to shut your gob for you again," Bones threatened with a smirk. "I want you to have it and that's final. Consider it a 'thank you' for having to put up with an arsehole like me."
"I-I don't know what to say," I looked back at him in the mirror in disbelief that he would do something so thoughtful and generous.
"Thank you."
"What?"
"That's all you have to say," he smirked back at me.
"Oh, right," I suddenly felt embarrassed by my lack of manners. "Thank you," I said, before smiling widely back at him.
"I see you wore more appropriate footwear this time," Bones observed, smoothly changing the subject at hand.
"I couldn't have you going all Neanderthal on me again," I giggled. "I guess you'll just have to deal with my short arse today."
"Beautiful," Bones added in a serious tone.
"What?"
"You forgot to say that I would have to deal with your 'beautiful' short arse today."
"Oh."
"Now, I believe we have a party to attend," he announced, releasing his arms from around me. "Shall we?" he held out his arm for me like the gentleman I suspected he was underneath his gruff SAS exterior. It was starting to become clear to me that he was a man of many hidden depths, depths that I found myself wanting to explore more and more.
-X-
"Was that your first time meeting The Queen?" I inquired as Bones and I strolled through the Buckingham Palace gardens. The party had begun an hour earlier with The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, accompanied by other members of the Royal Family entering the Palace gardens. After the National Anthem, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh circulated amongst their guests before arriving at the Royal Tea Tent.
"No."
"Was it at an investiture?" I deliberately probed him.
"Max is going to be in need of one of my Special Forces workouts if he keeps at it with the cake," Bones promptly ignored my question, choosing to observe his friend in the Royal Tea Tent.
"I see you're evading my questions again. Don't think I haven't noticed the salutes again today."
"And your point is?"
"Jackie seems to think you have been awarded the…"
"Drop it, Dawesey," Bones warned, quickly becoming annoyed with me. "I thought after last night, you would have finally taken my reminder that curiosity killed the cat to heart. Now, I would appreciate it if you would please stop it with your cack-handed attempts to pry into matters that are simply none of your bloody concern."
"Beggar's belief, no wonder you need a fake girlfriend," I looked at Bones with disgust. "You haven't a clue that people in 'real' relationships actually share things about themselves."
"The last time I checked, this wasn't real," Bones countered.
"Thanks for the bloody reminder," I snapped, before stalking off to join Max and Jack in the Royal Tea Tent, away from their tosser of a mate.
-X-
"What did the arsehole do this time?" Jack asked, while Max fetched me a cup of tea.
"Don't ask," I huffed, still annoyed with Bones.
"The course of true love never did run smooth," Max recited from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.
"Very funny," I rolled my eyes.
"I don't seem to recall us selecting that necklace and earrings," Max observed astutely.
"They're from Bones."
"So, that's what he was doing this morning," Max surmised.
"What do you mean?"
"I now know why he declined my offer to accompany him in picking up his suit from Giles. He said he had an important errand he needed to run after and didn't need me faffing about on him."
"Oh," I wasn't sure what to make of Max's revelation.
"If I didn't know better, I would say those are from the Cart…"
"Molly, would you like a slice of cake?" Jack interrupted, clearly wanting to silence his husband.
-X-
"Giles is going to be appalled if you keep stuffing yourself with cake, Max," Bones remarked, joining our table in the Royal Tea Tent.
"I'm sure that would make you pleased as punch," Max retorted.
"Get stuffed."
"Blimey," Jack muttered under his breath, causing me to turn my gaze towards a distinguished, upper class couple walking towards our table.
"Bloody hell!" Bones exclaimed in an annoyed tone, clearly recognizing the pair as they approached.
"What's happening?" I questioned.
"What the fuck are they doing here?" Bones ignored my question for one of his own. From observing his expression, he seemed both incredulous and irritated all at once.
"Those Molly," Max gave a smug smile, "are your future in-laws," he announced, causing my mouth to drop open in surprise.
-X-
"Darling," Bones's mother greeted him with great warmth and affection.
"Mother," Bones, politely kissed her proffered cheek, visibly annoyed by her presence.
"I must say 'hello' to Max and Jack," Victoria McClyde turned to greet her son's friends.
"Father," Bones nodded curtly at his father.
"Son," Arthur McClyde nodded in response. While the exchange did not appear cold in nature, it was stilted to say the least.
"I thought you were in Provence?" Bones questioned his father tersely.
"I think you should ask your mother about that," Arthur suggested, giving his son a sheepish look.
"Mother?" Bones prompted harshly.
"Darling, where are your manners?" Victoria McClyde chastised in response. "Given that your father and I cut our holiday short just to meet this enchanting creature, the least you could do is introduce us to your girlfriend."
"Mother," Bones warned, looking as if he might explode.
"Oh, stop looking at me like you are going to have my guts for garters," Victoria huffed at her son. "It's not my fault you couldn't be bothered to tell your Mother, of all people, that after all of this time, you finally have a girlfriend. Now, I insist you introduce me to Molly," she ordered, not at all intimidated by her son.
"Mother, Father," Bones paused, looking extremely displeased, "this is Molly," he introduced. "Molly, these are my parents."
"It's so lovely to finally meet you, darling," Bones's mother gave me a welcoming embrace before air kissing me on both cheeks. "You're so tiny," she smiled, taking in my appearance. "However, as I am sure my errant son has realised, the best things come in small packages."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs McClyde," I offered politely, causing her to stare back at me with a startled expression.
"The pleasure is all mine," she quickly recovered with a smile on her face. "Arthur, come greet Molly," she instructed her husband.
"Mr McClyde," I shook his hand in greeting, causing him to raise an eyebrow at his son.
"Please, darling, call us Victoria and Arthur," Bones's mother invited. "Now, I want to hear all about the woman who has managed to do the impossible by capturing my son's heart."
"Spare Molly the interrogation, Mother. The last thing we need is for you to scare her off," Bones cautioned.
"How else am I supposed to learn anything about this darling girl, when you clearly won't tell me?" Victoria demanded.
"Perhaps if you had asked me, rather than gate crash The Queen's bloody Garden Party, I may have been inclined to provide you with the relevant details," Bones reprimanded his mother.
"Gordon Bennett!" Victoria exclaimed in disbelief. "If it hadn't been for Penelope King telephoning me a few days ago to congratulate me on my son's delightful girlfriend, I would still be none the wiser."
"Rather than ask me about Molly, I see you decided, in your not so infinite wisdom, to take matters into your own hands," Bones accused.
"I had to do something when you wouldn't answer your bloody mobile," Victoria blustered.
"Forgive me for working," Bones scowled. "You know better than to question why I don't answer your calls."
"Fortunately for me, Max seems to be the only one around here with answers," Victoria noted.
"Max?" Bones appeared shocked by his Mother's admission.
"You know that Max does my hair when I am in London. If anyone could tell what is going on with my son it's Max."
"You bloody, turncoat!" Bones seethed, lunging for his mate.
"Bones, keep your hair on," Jack held his friend back. "Remember where we are," he reminded. "I think you and your Mother could benefit from mother-son chat in private. In the meantime, I will deal with my loose-lipped husband."
"Thanks, mate. Molly, could you please excuse us? I need to have a word with my Mother," Bones took his mother by the arm and escorted her to another section of the Palace garden, intent on giving his mother an ear bashing.
-X-
"Please excuse my wife," Arthur apologized to me as we stood awkwardly next to one another. Jack had taken Max aside and was clearly yelling at him. "She's is merely overly enthusiastic as she has wanted to see Bones settled for years now. Every time the poor lad comes home to Winchcombe, she is always trying to set him up with some eligible female. Her infernal meddling tends to drive him a bit mad at times," he explained.
"Right," I nodded politely, unsure as to how I should respond. "Bones tells me you're a solicitor," I remarked in an overly cheerful tone, hoping to change the subject away from my pseudo relationship with his son.
"Yes, I specialize in real estate law. What do you do, Molly?"
"Oh, I'm in the Army," I replied, causing him to look back at me in surprise. "I know, I don't exactly look like a soldier, but I can assure you I am. I'm a nurse based at the RCDM in Birmingham."
"The RCDM?"
"Oh, sorry. There I go again with Army jargon," I prattled on. "It's the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, which is located at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. We provide support to those who are deployed on tour and also specialist care for members of the armed services," I explained. "I work in the Orthopaedic unit."
"You must have met Bones when he was at Queen Elizabeth for his ACL surgery," Arthur surmised.
"Actually, I met Bones a little over eighteen months ago when I was on tour in… There I go again with my gob," I giggled nervously. "I sometimes forget that Bones isn't allowed to discuss what he does or where he goes."
"I understand," Arthur nodded.
"Your son is one of the most incredible soldiers I have ever met. It's unfortunate he cannot share with you all of the things he has done to defend The Queen and Country. You and Victoria must be extremely proud of him."
"I must confess, I often struggle to understand what he does, but I am extremely proud of him. While he certainly possesses his mother's sense of adventure and temper, I like to think he gets his intelligence from me."
"I'm sure he does. The man is wicked smart. Sometimes it's downright scary. He's also very modest and rarely talks about his accomplishments. I'm sure he's been awarded several military honours," I remarked, hoping Arthur might provide me with some valuable intel regarding his son.
"I honestly wouldn't know. He's not one for sharing, especially with me," Arthur revealed.
"Oh."
"Our personalities are very different, and I'm afraid my inability to relate to his profession makes for an awkward relationship at times. Don't get me wrong, I love my son, but we are not as close as I would like. He's very close to a General he's known since his teenage years. I have often thought that Bones views the General as more of a father than me."
"I'm sure it's not like that," I attempted allay Arthur's fears, knowing he must be referring to Edward.
"I likely said more than I should," Arthur frowned. "I'm normally very reserved, but for some reason I find you extremely easy to speak to."
"Please be assured I won't say anything to Bones," I patted Arthur's hand, amazed by just how complicated relationships between fathers and sons could be. It was almost as if Bones should have been Edward's son and Charles should have been Arthur's. I suddenly stopped myself. Why was I thinking of him by his first name? I hadn't so much as allowed myself to even think his name since he had left my life in tatters. Not wanting to drag myself back to the past and thoughts of him, I decided it was best that I rescued Victoria from her son, before he said something he might regret.
-X-
"Being your fake girlfriend is certainly never dull," I remarked, as Bones headed towards Euston Station later that evening.
"Very funny," Bones rolled his eyes.
"Did you sort things out with your Mother?" I asked. We hadn't been able to speak with both Max and Jack in the car on the way back to their house.
"She has promised to stop with her infernal meddling in exchange for my bringing you to Winchcombe for a weekend."
"Isn't that a bit much?" I objected. It was one thing pretending in front of the curtain twitchers, pretending in front of his parents was an entirely different thing, and not one I felt comfortable doing.
"It's the only way I can ensure that my Mother is kept contained. If she had any idea what we were up to, and the reason why, there is no telling what she would do. If you think I'm as mad as a bag a ferrets, you should see what my mother is like when confronted with a bit of a sticky wicket."
"Your father seems nice," I offered, feeling it best I steer away from the subject of his mother.
"Hopefully he didn't fall for your attempts at playing Miss Marple again."
"H-how did you know that I…"
"I'm onto you, Poppet," Bones smirked.
"Bloody typical," I rolled my eyes. "Fortunately for you, he didn't take the bait."
"I'm sorry I cannot drive you back to Birmingham," Bones apologised, pulling up in front of the station. "I have a work thing at Whitehall tomorrow."
"I understand," I was surprised that he felt compelled to share that with me.
"Also, I will have Robbie sort out a safe deposit box for the jewellery. Even though it is insured, I suspect you will be more comfortable knowing it is secure."
"Thank you," I smiled.
"Text me when you get back to your flat so that I know you are safe," Bones instructed, as he helped me out of his Range Rover.
"I think I can manage getting home."
"Humour me."
"Fine," I rolled my eyes.
"Are you actually cooperating with me, poppet?" Bones smirked.
"Don't get used to it," I warned, smiling back at him.
"Believe me, I won't," Bones promised, before leaning in and capturing my lips in a fierce kiss, leaving me feverish and clinging to his embrace.