Road to Tears

Chapter 1

Her mum had just come to visit her again in Keogh, using the same excuse as last time that her little brother Martin needed a check-up at the hospital. He was growing so fast, he was nearly a year old and this was only the third time she had seen him. She had finished both the army basic training and her CMT training. She was permanently stationed here and just waiting on when she would eventually get deployed, it would have to come one day she thought. She was still hurt that none of her family came to her passing out, even after phoning, leaving that long and tearful message to her Mum saying how much of a big deal it was and how important it was to her. But they didn't come and she was the only recruit not to have anyone there on a day that was really special for her, one that showed she could do it if she tried, she was so proud that she had been given the opportunity and even more proud that she got through it.

Her Dad wasn't giving way, still banned from coming home and seeing her family because she refused to marry that shit Artan. He never would have stayed faithful to her and had led her a dog's life when they had been together and would probably still be, if she had stayed. She may have only just turned 19 but there was one thing she did know she was never going to end up like her mum, downtrodden and with a house full of kids and a husband that thought more of going down the pub to get bladdered than he did of his family. She wanted more than that and the army was showing her that maybe she could, she hoped so anyway.

She sat on a bench in the grounds, silently crying at the injustice of it all, and wishing she got to spend more time with her Mum but she had secretly come to visit her with her baby brother Martin, so would only be able to stay a short time. She missed all her brothers and sisters especially her sisters Jade and Bella. She wondered about her Nan, how she was doing and she really would like to see her, they had always been close in the past. Perhaps her Mum could bring Nan with her next time she slipped out to visit her, or she could meet them somewhere in London.

She continued to sit there wiping her eyes every now and again, thinking how she would get in touch with Nan and organise it. Perhaps now that all her training was complete she could get some time off to go and see her.

"You alright?" her friend Jackie sat down next to her putting her arm round her shoulder in comfort "I saw you sitting here looking all forlorn and one of the lads said you had a visitor at the gate, not bad news from home is it Molls?"

"Nah! Nothing like that Jacs. Mum came to see me that's all" she hiccupped "Dad still don't want nothing to do with me so it was a secret visit. I miss me Nan and all me brothers and sisters."

"I'm so sorry" sighed Jackie. She and Molly had become friends when Molly became permanently stationed in Keogh after her CMT training. Jackie had only been in the army two years longer than Molly and they had got chatting in the Mess one day when she was doing her training to move to the next CMT level and maybe look at the opportunity of moving up to Lance Corporal. "You better not be thinking of backing out of our night out with the girls, come on Molls it will cheer you up."

Molly grinned at her "Yeah, thanks Jacs" she giggled "after all it is Friday no duties tomorrow, so I'm well up for that mate."

"Right get your glad rags on and we will all meet at the gate at 18.30" grinned Jackie.

-OG-

There were six of them in all going out for the evening. Her, Jackie, Georgie, Lauren, Katy and Holly. Lauren and Katy had been on basic training with her and the rest she had got to know since coming to Keogh. It was a typical squaddie haunt in Aldershot, loud music, TV's in every corner showing sport and a pool table up one end of the bar. They found a table and as it was so crowded up at the bar decided to get two bottles of wine to start with. Molly went to the bar while the rest grabbed the vacant table.

She had to push through the throng of people just standing there with their drinks

"Where have you been all my life?" said the bloke next to her with a leer, very glazed eyes and already well on the way to being pissed thought Molly.

"Lucky" replied Molly rolling her eyes and trying to attract the attention of the barman.

"Ooh, I'm wounded" he laughed holding his hands to his heart. "My names Smurf by the way" The barman walked over and Molly gave her order "Are you going to tell me yours then?" he persisted.

"No" she replied but grinned as her two bottles of wine were put on the bar with a tray for the glasses. She gave him a quick look up and down and by the looks of it he would be completely wasted in another hour. She knew a soldier when she saw one and hoped he got back alright without the Redcaps taking an interest.

"I'm down here on a course for a couple of weeks, perhaps we will see each other again" he grinned as Molly walked away.

"You picked up a little friend there Molls" laughed Georgie and Molly rolled her eyes.

"Looks fit" giggled Lauran.

"Shit pick-up lines" laughed Molly "and named after a little blue Gnome by the sound of it".

"Anyway, what about you Georgie?" asked Jackie "Is your fella coming tonight?"

"Yeah" grinned Georgie "He's picking me up later so won't be going for the curry girls. We're staying at his parents this weekend to talk weddings."

"Are we all going to get invites then?" asked Jackie cheekily.

"Would love for all you to come but his family is huge and mines not much better, we are looking at numbers, might have to say no army on this one otherwise the guest list will just get out of hand."

-OG-

The evening wore on and the girls were having a good time, laughing over things that had happened during the week. All of them looking forward to their weekend off and the wine flowing freely.

Smurf had come over with a couple of his mates and bought them another couple of bottles of wine.

"We were going for a curry later do you know any good places round here?" he asked to no one in particular.

"We finish the night off with a curry" grinned Katy innocently "you can come with us if you like" Molly and Jackie exchanging a look about getting in with three off their head squaddies on a Friday night.

Jackie's jaw dropped as she watched the tall dark haired man walk towards them all. Dressed casually in jeans and a dark polo jumper and with a confident stride, if this bloke wasn't an officer she would eat her hat if she had one. He walked straight to Georgie bending over her to kiss her on the cheek, Georgie beaming up at him.

"Girls, this is my fiancé, Elvis" and she continued the introductions. Molly couldn't help but laugh as she was taking a sip of her wine, who called their kid Elvis for god's sake. Elvis narrowed his eyes and looked straight at her as if he knew she was laughing.

"Something funny?" he said sharply.

Molly raised her eyes to look at him, shaking her head "No, sorry mate, it was just a bit of a surprise, you know your name."

He broke out into a wide grin "That's what me mum said when she gave it to me, everyone remembers Elvis" as he laughed "not to mention it means wise and noble friend."

"Does it?" asked Molly seriously "Bloody hell."

Elvis turned to Georgie "Come on George we need to be on our way if we are going to my parents for the weekend."

Georgie got up and hugged all her mates' goodbye and said she would see them back at barracks on Monday morning.

"Cor he was a bit of all right weren't he?" laughed Molly "even with a stupid name like Elvis."

"I think they've been pretty much loved up since they were on tour" said Lauren seriously.

"I was only saying" laughed Molly "wouldn't touch him with a barge pole."

"Why not?" Katy asked seriously "he's pretty dishy" giggling and turning a little pink.

"Apart from the fact he knows it, its girl code ain't it? You don't go anywhere near your mates fella" replied Molly finishing off her glass of wine before reaching out to top the glass up.

"Yeah, true" replied Katy remembering going back to East Ham with Molly halfway through their basic training, where she met that dickhead Artan and Molly's mates. "I remember now, your mate Mary."

"Precisely. Now come on girls we are meant to be on a night out."

-OG-

It was half an hour shy of closing time and they decided that they would leave now for the curry house before closing time when the chances of a table reduced, especially as they seemed to have picked up three hangers on in the case of Smurf and his two mates.

What with her Mum telling her that her Dad still wasn't willing for her to come home and her Mum not really taking him to task to stand up for her, she had got herself pretty blotto with the help of Jackie and the rest of her mates.

While the blokes ordered more beers, the girls stuck with their wine. No mixing of drinks on this night out. In actual fact they had quite a good night, Smurf turned out to be quite funny even if a little full of himself, loud and very pissed. Mind you they were no better and all of them were laughing raucously over his description of how great Newport was.

"All sounds a bit shit to me mate" laughed Molly.

"You would love it Molls" he replied with a glazed expression and a lop sided grin while stroking her leg. "My name is Dylan Smith" he whispered into her ear "I really like you Molls, perhaps we could go out for a drink before I go back to Catterick."

The evening had come to an end and Molly very much had her beer goggles on so to speak, after the day she had and the amount of wine they had necked over the evening. They were all going back to barracks although different ones, when Smurf pulled her into the alley behind the curry house and started kissing her.

-OG-

"You dirty stop out" laughed Jackie standing in the middle with Lauren, Katy and Holly when she met up with them in the mess hall.

"Yeah" said Lauren grinning like a Cheshire cat "only one point for a bloody private" she winked "you should know that." Molly could only grin, roll her eyes and shrug

"Surprised myself that he is actually in the army" said Jackie "So how was the little blue man?"

Molly shrugged and snorted a laugh "Pissed weren't I" then frowning "Why shouldn't he be in the army Jacs?"

"Well, his twin was killed a while back in Afghanistan."

"Shit" said Molly wide eyed

"Are you seeing him again Molls?" asked Katy

"We exchanged phone numbers, but no don't expect him to be in touch and I ain't phoning him."

-OG-

The weeks rolled into months as Molly, Katy and Lauren continued their training and both Jackie and Georgie started working towards their promotion to Lance Corporal. They saw Elvis quite a few times over the weeks as he often came by and picked up Georgie to go out somewhere.

Georgie's wedding seemed to come around pretty quick as far as she was concerned all the planning and organising seemed never ending and she was always having to go back to Stockport for something that needed sorting. She was looking forward to it and the big day couldn't come soon enough. Ever since he had saved them on that disastrous mission in Iraq, where they were trapped, where they all thought they were going to die she had been attracted to him. He hadn't taken no for an answer and had relentlessly pursued her, even when she had told him she didn't date squaddie's. Until in the end she had gone out with him, even the way he had proposed was memorable and would always make her smile, something she would cherish. The way he always put his hand under her pillow so she knew he was there, told her he would always be there to pick her up if ever she needed it. She never believed that she could love someone quite like she loved him. She couldn't help but grin at his last escapade, how he had climbed up the drainpipe of her parents' house and snuck in through the window. He was exciting, full life and she adored him, he made her feel special.

"You know you're all my mates don't you?" she said apologetically, "but we have to keep the numbers down or I would have invited you all."

"Don't worry about it Georgie" said Jackie "We can still have a hen night down here for us and then you can have another with your family up in Stockport."

"Yeah" added Molly "it will be blinding."

"No strippers" laughed Georgie "and definitely no condom headdress."

"Would we?" giggled Molly.

"Yes you bloody would!" she laughed

As it happened Jackie organised a lovely day at Pennyhill Park in Camberley for a spa break followed by dinner then onto Pantiles nightclub before getting taxis back to Aldershot. Molly had never been to a spa before, and she loved it and hoped they could make this a regular event.

A couple of days later Georgie left for Manchester for the rehearsal and another hen night with her sisters and family.

It was three weeks later before they saw her again, assuming she had got married and been on her honeymoon, but she burst into tears as soon as she saw them. Molly hugging her tight and stroking her back as she sobbed.

"He didn't turn up" she wailed "sent his best mate to tell me."

"You're joking" and Georgie shook her head "do you know why?" continued Molly and again Georgie shook her head "He didn't know."

"Who didn't know?" enquired Jackie.

"His mate, friend of his from his Sandhurst days, was supposed to be the best man."

"Well, that would account for him getting the shit job" sighed Molly "I'm so sorry George, what an absolute fuckwit to get cold feet on the day."

"I've already been to see my CO and ask for a transfer."

"What for, you need your mates, stay here, don't let the tosser drive you away."

"He's not stationed here anyway Molls" sighed Georgie "He's based in Hereford, but I just think I want to be nearer to my family so I am transferring back to Stockport, a training role and hopefully getting my promotion to Lance Corporal. "A fresh start all round is what I need."

"Course you'll get the promotion" said Jackie emphatically "No doubt about it but are you sure about going back to Stockport?" and Georgie nodded.

"Yeah, I need my family, my sisters" and Molly felt her stomach contract with that. She really must contact her Nan, she really missed all her family and wished her Dad wasn't such a plank.

-OG-

The time came and it was the last week of Georgie's time at Keogh and she was off to Stockport and home. They organised a girl's farewell bash for her, with strict instructions they would keep in touch.

It was also a short farewell for Jackie who was being deployed for nine months to Afghanistan to work at the hospital in Camp Bastion. Molly hugged her friend and wished her well and that she was looking forward to seeing her when she got back and would organise a piss up as soon as she did.

Molly felt a bit of a loose end with both Jackie and Georgie gone but was soon sent with Katy and Lauren to Pirbright for some extra combat training. It was October so it was pretty wet, cold and muddy but she loved it.

"Bloody taters out 'ere ain't it Katy"? moaned Molly "don't see why they can't do this in the summer" just as a message came through her comms set asking her to report to the OC.

"You have done well on your training Dawes" said her commanding officer "how do you fancy a tour to Afghan?"

She grinned at him, she could have a catch up with Jackie who had already been there a couple of weeks, it would be nice to put some of her training to good use. "Yes Sir"

He smiled down at her "Go say goodbye to your family, pack and be in Brize tomorrow. Ask for Corporal Kinders."

"Yes Sir" she beamed at him.

"and Dawes, remember first impressions, make them count, you're a good medic."

"Thank you sir" she grinned.

"You are a battle replacement, make the most of it, learn" he said "Dismissed"

-OG-

She packed her belongings, phoned her Nan who said she was to come back to London and bugger her father, if she was going somewhere like that they wanted to see her before she went. She and her Mum would want to see her before she left.

"Do you have to go?" her mum wailed.

"I wanna go Mum" replied Molly with tears in her eyes "It's what I trained for."

All her brothers and sisters crowded round her hugging and kissing her goodbye. "Don't forget keep your bleedin' head down" said Bella. Even her Dad once he realised came round to her Nans. Standing in the background as his wife and kids all said goodbye to Molly. He wasn't pleased that she had joined up, thought she should have married that bloke Artan, mind you he still got the nail gun through his hand to keep him on benefits, so it wasn't all bad. But in his wildest dreams he never thought his eldest daughter would be sent to a war zone. Thought that women wouldn't be sent anywhere like that. He couldn't help but stare at his daughter, not quite 20 and off to some god forsaken country that had been on the news for years with their troubles. He wasn't good at that emotional stuff, he left that to Belinda, when he banned her from the family it was a knee jerk reaction to her not being willing to help him with that insurance idea, he was pissed and he always thought it would blow over eventually, it always did, now he might not get the chance. What the hell was she playing at, why didn't she just stay at the nail bar, it was an OK job, he just couldn't understand why she wanted to put her life at risk like that, what was wrong with the life she had.

"You look after yourself girl" he stuttered.

"I will Dad" she grinned and he smiled back. Maybe now was time to end this argument he thought as he held out his hand to her, Molly returning the gesture and he squeezed "Stay safe won't you?" and all Molly could do was nod as her eyes filled with tears at leaving them all.

She wanted to go but this was her first trip on a plane and her first time abroad, but at the same time she was scared, would she be any good, would she remember her training. She would be in Bastion with Jackie so that would be a help.

-OG-

She arrived promptly at Brize and found Corporal Kinders who took her to meet the rest of her section. Oh god, she thought and momentarily closed her eyes, it's that little blue tit from Aldershot as she spotted Smurf with the rest of the group. Talk about bad luck and after her CO had specifically told her about first impressions.

"Well, if it isn't my Friday night behind the curry house" and her heart sank, he only bloody remembered her. She thought he was that pissed it was odds on he had forgotten her "I would have called but it's been busy and we weren't really allowed our phones at Catterick"

She shrugged "what's that on your chin" and he rubbed it "Oh yeah bullshit" she grabbed his arm and pulled him away from any ears that might be listening "No need to tell anyone mate" and he shrugged.

"Let me introduce you to everyone" and to be fair he did. They all seemed to have nicknames and she had to wonder how they got some of them. Kinders came across and ordered them all outside for the platoon photo. She stuck herself on the end of the middle row hoping that no one would notice her as stood in amongst the men.

"How long does it take you cockwombles to get yourself ready for a photo" bellowed the Captain as he strode out onto the tarmac. Molly couldn't help herself as she sniggered at such a posh voice saying cockwomble.

-OG-

That was one thing his Major had taught him, right from the start, to be observant, and he noticed straight away the short dark haired girl at the end of the second row sniggering.

Shit, Shit, Shit, this must be his battle replacement medic. She looked like she was just out of school. He needed someone with experience and this girl clearly had none and no common sense either judging by her laughing at her CO. They were going to be in a FOB once they finished acclimatisation in Bastion, perhaps he could talk with the Major and get her exchanged with one of the medics at Bastion and leave her there.

"What's funny Medic?" and he watched as she almost jumped to attention her green eyes looking like a rabbit that had been caught in headlights.

"Sorry Sir" she responded looking at him as he drew his eyebrows down into a frown. Sighing he joined the group, standing straight and ready for the photo. He would have a word with Major Beck, he couldn't take the class clown into battle. That's if he didn't lob her out the plane before they even reached Afghanistan.

.

A/N One year today – who would have thought? In some ways it feels like it has gone quickly and in others it has dragged by. In the first lockdown I wrote for the first time since my school days (I'm not admitting to how many decades) and hopefully this will be the last, it was something to keep me occupied and help fill the days, and I've quite enjoyed having a go. Thank you to all the OG writers on FF, your stories have been a pleasure to read and have read more than once through the various lockdowns and hope the unfinished ones do get finished. We're nearly there

Thanks as usual to Debbie who spends hours proofing for me.