AN: So I've been sitting on this half done chapter for months now. A combination of not liking the way the series has gone and a doubtful feeling about this section, meant I couldn't progress it. I wanted to try something different. When I was at school (20 years ago - how can I be that old?!), I studied Dracula and there were large chunks of it written in letter form so there was no physical interaction between the characters. I know a few writers have used this tool and I wanted to explore how it would be, using only text messages between Molly and Charles. I'm not that happy with it as it doesn't have the flow I would like, it's very difficult to capture the dynamic without describing things to the reader, but I've decided to take a deep breath and post because if it is terrible, there will be more normal chapters to follow. I've tagged them how I imagine they would in their phones; Molly is more carefree compared to Charles who uses her full name.
A wee note, the last line has a wee bit of smut, I've put * just above it, to warn anyone that doesn't want to read it.
This story will continue as if we've only had series 1 and 2. There will be no nods to recent events.
Lastly a massive thank you to everyone who has reviewed over the last few months, asking for more of this story. I am so touched that people care enough to review. If anyone has any constructive ideas on how to improve this chapter, I'd be happy to take advice.
Chapter 18
Charles Mobile
[I think it's safe to say that in this case, revealing is a good thing. It's a good job I'm not there with you...
It's good to chat more to you too, I've got plenty time on my hands so any time is good for me. I'm actually at my parent's house in Bath, decided to take a last minute trip down to see them.
How's Lily? Are you going out tonight?]
Molly Dawes
[Oh you didn't mention seeing them, that'll have been a nice surprise for them, especially your mum. From what you've told me she misses you. Will you catch up with Sam?
Lily is good, she's in the pool just now, she's a bit quiet so it's safer to leave her when she's like that.
I like the thought of you being here with me, soaking up the sun together. I've got several bikinis with me, it would be a daily parade of revealing...]
Charles Mobile
[Yes Mum does miss me I think, she's not sure my move to Edinburgh is the right thing, but she supports me. More than I think I realised actually, we had a long chat today, it was good, surprising, but good.
Why is Lily quiet? Did you tell her about me? Is she annoyed?
I will see Sam, but actually he's going up to Edinburgh on Wednesday. A friend of his from school is also starting uni there and he's staying in one of his Dad's flats (note the one of!) so Sam is coming too to give him a bit of a head start on city life. It means I'll get to see him before I go too.
So about us soaking up the sun together, what might that involve?]
Molly Dawes
[How do you mean surprising? Tell me to mind my own business if I'm prying.
Sounds fun for Sam and a good friend to know who owns Edinburgh property.
Yes I told Lily, she just went quiet and went in the pool, she'll probably want to chat more later.
So if you were here right now I would probably get you to put suncream on my back. Predictable I know, but there's always one spot I can't reach as well and I end up red and blotchy. Then we could share a sun lounger, get comfy, drink cocktails, the list goes on.]
Charles Mobile
[I had no idea how difficult it is to carry on a full conversation by text. We have three subjects on the go just now. Could we maybe leave the Mum and Sam chat until later when you're fully dressed?]
Molly Dawes
[And what does my attire have to do with the content of our conversation?]
Charles Mobile
[I don't want to talk about my Mum when I know you're at the other end of the phone in a bikini.]
Molly Dawes
[Is the thought of me in a bikini distracting you?]
Charles Mobile
[It's certainly having an effect.]
Molly Dawes
[You have no idea how tempted I am to say something inappropriate right now.]
Charles Mobile
[Why don't you?]
Molly Dawes
[I think we're veering into dangerous territory now.]
Charles Mobile
[You're right, we should stop.]
Molly Dawes
[I don't want to stop.]
Charles Mobile
[What do you want Molly?]
Molly Dawes
[You? Us? No complications?]
Charles Mobile
[There doesn't have to be complications.]
Molly Dawes
[You know there is though. I'm already too invested in this, I'm just making it more difficult.]
Charles Mobile
[Do you want me to stop texting you?]
Molly Dawes
[No]
Charles Mobile
[Ok]
Molly Dawes
[Maybe you could be my holiday romance. I know that sounds daft, just trying to lighten the mood.]
Charles Mobile
[A virtual holiday romance? I like the sound of that...]
Molly Dawes
[But?]
Charles Mobile
[Isn't that going to make things more complicated, when you come back I mean.]
Molly Dawes
[Never heard the phrase "what goes on tour stays on tour"?]
Charles Mobile
[Heard of it? I'm in the army, I think we probably invented it.]
Molly Dawes
[So what do you say? You might not actually be lying here with me, but imagine you were.]
Charles Mobile
[I don't have a very good imagination, you might have to start this off.]
Molly Dawes
[Well if you can't imagine what it would be like to be lying here behind me, your arms and legs wrapped round me, skin on skin, then we might gonna have a problem with this virtual romance thing.]
Charles Mobile
[See? That was a great start, I'm definitely managing that imagining now.]
Molly Dawes
[Glad to hear it, your turn.]
Charles Mobile
[Hang on, I'm dying to know what the inappropriate thing was that you wanted to say.]
Molly Dawes
[Are you sure?]
Charles Mobile
[Yes definitely]
Molly Dawes
[You said imagining me in a bikini was having a considerable effect. I wanted to know if it was a mental effect...or a physical one?]
Charles Mobile
[Do you really want the answer to that?]
Molly Dawes
[Yes I want the full and frank answer Charles]
Charles Mobile
[Shit Molly, are we really going to do this?]
Molly Dawes
[No going back now...]
Charles Mobile
[Ok...both as it happens. I can't think straight around you, I don't know what's happening to me. And the bikini specific chat? Let's just say, my jeans feel a little more snug than usual.]
Molly Dawes
[Well I'll take both those as a compliment. Are your jeans snug in the way they were at the bottom of my stairs that night?]
Charles Mobile
[Safe to say they are. Seems you don't even have to be in the same room.]
Molly Dawes
[Safe to say I'm glad no-one at this poolside knows what I'm thinking right now or what I'm feeling...]
Charles Mobile
[What are you thinking Molly? What are you feeling?]
Molly Dawes
[I'm thinking what you look like in swim shorts and I'm feeling hot, not in a weather related way.
Listen Lily is back, we're heading back to the room to get ready for dinner. I'll be ten mins, don't go anywhere ok?]
Charles Mobile
[I'll be right here.]
Charles Mobile
[Everything ok?]
Charles Mobile
[It's been 20 mins Molly, are you trying to torture me?]
Molly Dawes
[Sorry, I'm back, we got held up in reception. Sorry!]
Charles Mobile
[That's ok. Do you need to go and get ready?]
Molly Dawes
[Soon. I'm just in the shower.]
Charles Mobile
[With your phone?!]
Molly Dawes
[I've just told you I'm naked and you're worried about my phone?]
Charles Mobile
[Sorry that was stupid. I assume that naked you is under the water and your phone is not?]
Molly Dawes
[Exactly]
Charles Mobile
[You have no idea how much I want to be there with you right now.]
Molly Dawes
[Yes I do, cos I want you too. I'm jumping out of my skin right now. I might need to take drastic action.]
Charles Mobile
[Honestly I'm at a loss to imagine what that could be. Is it good drastic action?]
Molly Dawes
[I think any action would be very very good.]
Charles Mobile
[Are you suggesting what I think you are? If not I'm going to look really stupid.]
Molly Dawes
[I'm suggesting it. For real. Now.]
Charles Mobile
[Can you text and do...that?]
Molly Dawes
[I've never been so turned on in my whole life Charles. Whatever it takes.]
Charles Mobile
[I'm actually groaning into my pillow now Molly. This is torture. I want to touch you and kiss you and push you up against that shower wall until you can't stand up.]
Molly Dawes
[Oh my God Charles, you're too far away, I need you here. What now?]
Charles Mobile
[Now beautiful girl, we have to stop.]
Molly Dawes
[What? Why?!]
Charles Mobile
[Because Molly, the first time you come with me, I want to be there with you, holding you all the way through it.]