Chapter 7: Chapter 7

Lesson Learnt

Chapter 7

Their first few days together were amazing. They spent a lot of time getting to know one another both in and out of the bedroom. Every morning Molly woke to find Charles gazing into her eyes, making her melt. Every evening Charles fell asleep with Molly securely in his arms, and his heart. It felt right for both of them; it felt where they both should be.

They loved the cottage, and explored the surrounding areas. Living by their own timetable, their own rules. Succumbing to hunger, sleep and desire exactly as they fancied. At times their togetherness was slow and gentle, giving all they could give, and others it was fast and urgent, both taking all they could take. Molly and Charles couldn't imagine how anything could spoil their time together.

That was until the fourth day. Molly and Charles we're sharing a bath with ridiculous amounts of bubbles in. Each had a beer and were nibbling nuts and crisps. It was decadent, it was how they felt. It had just gone 2 in the afternoon and they only had just left their bed, having spent all morning revising their favourite subjects, each other.

The doorbell rang, followed by insistent knocking.

"Who the friggin hells that?" Charles asked. Pointless as Molly wasn't to know the answer now was she?

"God I don't know but whoever it is they need telling to do one. ASAP." Molly trying to sound firm, but melting inside as she watched the glorious site of Charles standing up from the bath wrapping a towel around his waist.

"You stay here. I'll see who it is and I'll be right back." Kissing Molly on her swollen lips, regretting the absence of her naked body already.

"Please hurry." He looked delicious half naked and wet. Trails of water running down his chest from his hair. Dreadful thoughts went through her head. Thoughts she felt they should play out as soon as he came back.

She lay back in the bath and heard voices from the hall. Not quite believing what she was hearing.

Downstairs at the door Charles answered, surprised.

"What the hell are you guys doing here?"

"Surprise." Squealed Georgie, hugging him in a way of greeting. "We've come to have a couple of day's holiday with ya". Her eyes wondering and lingering over Charles' naked upper half torso.

"Alright Charlie Boy. Georgie here told me about your romantic getaway. Thought we'd come and join you." Elvis caught Georgie's gaze. "Fancy putting some clothes on there mate?" Feeling uncertain by the looks she directed at Charles.

"Who is it?" Molly shouted popping her head over the stair rail.

"Oh you dirty mare." Shouted up Georgie in childish glee. "Put some clothes on and come down her. We brought booze."

Molly caught sight of Charles as she mouthed "what the fuck?"

They had to accept it. By the time Charles slipped on some jeans and a top, and went back downstairs Georgie and Elvis had set themselves up nicely on the couch. Molly followed him behind, fully dressed and with a confused face.

"What's going on here?" She directed her question to Georgie.

"We thought we'd join you. Thought you'd be bored of each other by now. Christ we would be wouldn't we Elvis? And Molly's not the most interesting talker at the best of times…... isn't that right Charlie?

Charles stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Molly.

"That's where you're wrong Georgie. I think Molly's perfect." Planting a kiss on her temple.

Molly appreciated Charles' rescue and weakly smiled, but she was livid. What on earth did Georgie think she was doing? This was exactly what she growled at her when Charles and Elvis left to get glasses and drinks.

"What you doing here Georgie? You aren't invited. I told you this was just Charles and I having some time together."

"The thing is Molly. I'm desperate. It's Elvis I just don't think he's into me as he was. He's all distant."

"For fucks sake Georgie this isn't a bloody couple's retreat we've got here. This was mine and Charles' time. Any what do you mean he's only been back for a few days. He's probably knackered."

"Yes I know but he went off and left me….. went off with you for fuck sake, and now he's back he should be paying me a bit more attention. Giving me everything. And he's not!"

"He didn't go off and leave you. And certainly not with me. It was his job. His work. It was bloody hard work too. He probably just needs some time to recover." Molly couldn't believe her friend was this needy, and childish. She'd never seen her before like this, well not often; well at least for a few months anyway.

Georgie started crying.

"I just love him so much. I don't want to lose him."

Molly felt sorry for her friend. She never took rejection well

"Love? You love him? Christ Georgie." Molly asked cuddling her mate. She fell in love with almost everyone she'd met, but Molly always doubted if it really was love and not just need.

"Yeah but don't tell him. If we can just have a few days with you and Charlie. Some fun. Show him how much fun I am to be around. It might make him….you know think he can't live without me".

"Oh God Georgie. I doubt that's what you need. You need to talk to him. Perhaps be a bit more of you, and stop trying to be something that you're not."

"Please Molly being away with you guys will be perfect for us. It will be great fun."

What could Molly say? She was her mate and was asking for help. And so that's what Charles learnt when him and Elvis came in from the kitchen.

"Elvis and Georgie are going to stay with us for a few days. Is that ok?"

What could Charles say? All he just knew is that his mate had just spent the past five minutes chewing his ear off about how much hard work Georgie was, and now here was Molly saying that they were all going to spend a few days together. Great he thought, bloody great.

The next few days in Charles' mind we're awful. He had wanted to spend time with Molly, continuing and enjoying their new found togetherness. Now he was back to sharing her with two others. One who had no idea about social boundaries, and the other who used her as a diversion from his growing feelings of dislike for his current girlfriend.

Charles basically felt uncomfortable around the house with Georgie. Often he would find her walking for room to room scantily clad, never ashamed, and never embarrassed. She'd got closer to him on the odd occasion than he found comfortable. He actively looked to avoid all situations where he'd be left alone with her. Never wanting to feel cornered by her. He joked to himself that he felt hunted. He mentioned this to Molly who just laughed and said that she was probably trying to use Charles to get Elvis to pay her more attention. Charles wasn't too sure. Molly tried to explain that Georgie was just a really friendly lady. Maybe he just hadn't met her type before. She was harmless. That was one thing though that Charles was not sure about anymore…after a few days with Georgie and Elvis' arguments..…that Georgie was harmless!

Molly and Charles didn't even make love again once Elvis and Georgie arrived. Much to both their frustrations. It wasn't that they didn't want to it was just the noises coming from Elvis and Georgie's room during their makeup sessions, embarrassed them and made them feel very uncomfortable. Getting intimate with each other with such a graphic floor show across the hall was not the direction Charles and Molly wanted to take their relationship in .

Both Molly and Charles were regretful but relieved when the week came to an end. As they drove back to Molly's camp the atmosphere in the car was very down beat.

"I'm sorry Charles. About Georgie I couldn't say no."

"I know I get that. You're too nice to her some time's Molly." Charles said. "Your just too nice full stop. I just wanted to be alone with you." He smiled at her, not wanting their inconsiderate mates to ruin any more of their time together.

Molly blushed at the thought of all their previous alone times, before Elvis and Georgie. There really had been too few to her liking, she'd missed being with him so much.

"Look it's not late. Do you want to come to my room?" God it felt so forward asking him that she thought, but also so exciting that she could, knowing his answer. He would finally see her kingdom, her place, the area where she had dreamed about him night after night.

"What?" Thought it wasn't allowed?"

"Well it isn't really . I kind of know my CO is a good friend of my boyfriend, and he owes me a huge favour, having just gate crashed my break... I think we'll be ok."

Charles laughed and pulled her over to him as the car stopped. Kissing her hair, breathing in the intoxicating smell of his Molly.

"Well thank Christ for Elvis."

Charles was very aware that he hadn't been to Molly's room before. It was all a little too public bringing someone back to your room on camp, and Molly liked her private life to stay exactly that... private. However he was excited. This new development in their relationship showed him that she was happier to allow others to see their relationship.

Molly had of course been once or twice been to Charles' rooms, but never stayed over. During the holiday he wasn't too bothered about having her visit, but he knew as soon as the term started it would be difficult to avoid comments if a lady was seen entering his rooms. The other masters at his school were mainly old and very set in their ways. Determined that the boarding boys' minds would not be corrupted by any evidence of promiscuity!

"Ok. I'd love that." Charles said pulling her Bergen out of the boot and attempting to carry it. God it was heavy. How did this tiny woman do such an amazing feat, having to be as strong as a man twice her size, and being totally vital in any mission that took place. He marvelled at the woman in front of him and the daily tasks she willing lived up too. As proof of that he heard her say;

"Oh no you don't mate. I'll carry my own stuff. Imagine the piss taking I'll get about being a helpless female if anyone saw."

This was the bit of Molly that Charles found hard to accept. She was very independent and quite capable of looking after herself. She

never used her sex to get special favours. Whereas Charles had been brought up to treat the fairer sex with a bit more delicacy than Molly allowed. He wanted to carry her bag, hold doors open for her, help her off with her coat... all things Molly resisted happening. Charles found it alien to him, but made him realise just how special Molly was. She wasn't his usual simpering specimens. She was Molly. Knew her own worth and played fairly in every challenge that was thrown at her in life.

Her room was small, but at least had a double bed, even if it took up most of the space. Charles look at it then raised his eyebrows questionably at her.

"It's not what you think. I spend most my time in here sleeping or watching TV so a big bed made sense.

"I believe you." He laughed. And jumped on it, desperate to hold her again hoping she'd take the hint, and because there was little room for him elsewhere. He watched Molly square away her kit. Her cupboards and drawers neat and ordered, just like the room. He liked being in her space, her world and everything in it.

Molly had been really nervous inviting Charles back to her room and not just because of the gossip it may start. She wondered about silly details such as were her sheets clean, was the en-suite tidy. All things that Charles may have notice but probably wouldn't have mattered to him. When she first went to his room she was amazed at how little space he had, just like her. Or in fact he thought he had needed. He was neat and tidy just like her, but had hundreds of books on every surface around his room. Something she didn't have. She doubted that apart from text books, she didn't have one book in her room. Looking at him stretched out on her bed she wondered if Charles had noticed that, and then she wondered why she cared.

She looked over at him all gorgeous and smiling at her, resting his hands behind his head. Looking comfortable in her life, but even though they had been in each other company for the past couple of days she felt a pang of loss. They'd missed several days of loving each other in the way they had started to develop before Georgie and Elvis arrived. So with gay abandonment she threw herself on to the bed and into his surprised arms.

It was several hours later as they both lay there naked and satisfied for now, that Molly mused over how totally and utterly she'd let this man into her heart. So quickly and so completely. He'd cared for her in a way that she hadn't really expected when they were away. Simple things, like cups of tea, breakfast in bed. She felt adored, and when he saw the cuts and bruises on her legs and arms he tenderly kissed them, expressing his vexation at her being hurt. She'd never known anyone to care for her in such and emotional and physical way before.

"I wish you could stay the night." She whispered into his neck. Kissing the saltiness off it from his sweat due to their love making.

"Yeah me too. Wish I didn't have to move. Don't think I can for a while mind you if I'm honest." Charles replied.

"It's a bit shit isn't it? Us both having to sneak into each other's rooms. Feel like a kid again."

"I hope you never had boys in your room when you were a kid Molly." Charles joked.

"No I never you cheeky sod. I just meant... well I like waking up with you that's all. And falling asleep with you…..and everything in-between really."

"Funny I've been thinking about that too. I was thinking I might start looking at getting a flat, an apartment. Somewhere between here and the school. Move out of my room. Start having a bit of a life away from it, rent somewhere."

"Really?" She sat up and looked at him. Then suspiciously asked him. "Why?" Hoping he wasn't suggesting they move in with each other. That wasn't where Molly was at.

"Just time I guess. Need my own space. Space my girlfriend can come round to and stay over every now and then, whenever she wants or can. Not have to worry about what others will think."

It sounded perfect to Molly, a place they could have some privacy.

"I'll help you look if you want?" She said.

"Yeah that would be great". He started to kiss her, trailing his hands down her back slipping them in-between her top and her bare flesh. She shivered, knowingly, anticipating their course. "Molly?" Charles mumbled while still kissing her, and pulling her top off slowly, as though she wouldn't notice.

"Mmmmmmmm?" she started to attack his t shirt, dragging it off him, not caring about being subtle.

"Do you think it's a good idea then?"

"Charles I think it a bloody brilliant idea." She said directly into his tummy as she worked downwards slowly, desperate to show him what such as good idea she thought it was. And with that all thoughts of Charles leaving went out of the window for many many hours later.