Road to Tears
Chapter 7
"Thanks Moll" said a rather jaded Jenny "We had a really good time last night and you know us Scots we like to really celebrate New Year" sighing "We were both a bit disappointed we couldn't get back for Hogmanay"
"You're welcome Jen, can Spanner actually talk today, he must have spent nearly all night singing?"
"Yeah, the power ballads were bad enough but when he moved onto Black Sabbath, well let's say it will be a quiet drive back to Hereford" both girls laughing as Spanner came into the kitchen and croaked out "Mornin."
Charles was already frying lots of bacon and plating it up so they could make their own bacon rolls up. He had put bread in the toaster which had just popped up and put that in front of Molly with a jar of Nutella.
"For breakfast?" giggled Jen Molly nodding vigorously and wished she hadn't as her world started to tip "Yeah, got the carbs and sugar a perfect hangover cure."
"What she hasn't told you Jen" laughed Charles "Is that chocolate is part of her staple diet" his eyebrows rising as he watched Elvis come into the room unshaven and heavy eyed.
"Think I had better drive us back to Hereford Boss" sniggered Spanner at the state of him.
"It's something I ate Spanner" as he sat at the kitchen table and pushed the bacon away from him the smell making him feel decidedly queasy.
"More like picked something up, throat infection probably" said Molly seriously and Elvis raised an eyebrow at her while Charles choked on his coffee trying to stifle his laugh.
The girls exchanged telephone numbers, Jen saying that the next time her, Jackie and the rest of the girls organised a day out that she would love to come, she could do with a bit of pampering herself after spending weeks pampering others.
-OG-
All the festivities over for another year, Charles drove her to Keogh to drop her off "So you are going to speak with your CO get the paperwork to live out?"
"You sure about this?"
"Get the bloody paperwork Molly and we can fill it in" he sighed wishing she had more confidence and believed what he told her. Mind you listening to some of the tales about her father, and that arsehole Artan, not to mention his best mate letting down Georgie he could sort of understand why she lacked confidence in herself and the men she met.
"OK, keep your hair on Boss" she giggled cheekily, getting out the car she blew him a kiss before adding "see you later"
She knew as she walked across the parade ground with her stuff to her room so that she could change into her uniform she had a shit eating grin on her face.
It was lunchtime and she was still grinning like a Cheshire cat "Well who looks like the cat that got the cream" as Molly swung round to see her mate walking in the same direction to the mess hall for lunch.
"Jacs you're a Corporal, who do I go see to get a form to live out?" Jackie stopped in her tracks staring wide eyed at her before breaking out into a huge grin of her own.
"Lance Corp and at least another year before Corp" she grinned "I'll get you the form, then when it's filled in give it to your Sergeant and they can send it up the food chain" still grinning "Looks like both of us will be living out."
Molly's eyes opened wide "What you and Dangles?" grinning "I'm so happy for you Jacs"
"Well, it won't be as soon as you, we have to find somewhere to live first."
"Oh, before I forget, Jen said if we organise another get together she wouldn't mind coming too."
"No probs" nodded Jackie "Nice girl, good laugh, I can see why Spanner's beard always looks so well-groomed now" bursting out laughing.
"Yeah pretty sure that must get trimmed regularly."
-OG-
Molly had filled in the forms, passed them back and she finally had permission to live out. Charles came to collect her all her stuff in bin bags to move into his home. He hadn't realised that she had so many clothes and perhaps they could go to Oaklands and get a set of chest of drawers for all her things, the fitted wardrobes should take all the hanging stuff.
It was the first thing they did after she moved in, they went to look and found what Molly thought was a lovely set of drawers in a light Oak and would suit the room, albeit a little large but he could put some of his things in there too.
She had only been there a week when a letter came through saying that Charles had more rehab booked at Headley and would be leaving soon for another two week stay. She wasn't over the moon about having only just moved in and he was off again, although he couldn't help it and had to take the slot, it could be months before another came up if they let it go.
-OG-
Jackie sat down opposite her in the mess grinning "We have finally found somewhere to rent, not far from you actually, 6 month lease then an option to buy at the end of it" her eyes shining with excitement "lovely little house and we can afford it, so how about you coming with me to help furnish it while he is away?"
"Love to Jacs" she sighed "could do with some stuff make it more of a home too."
-OG-
It had been a long couple of weeks as far as he was concerned. It had taken him ages to convince her to move in with him and then he had to go back to Headley virtually just as she moved in. She was helping Jackie with viewing furniture for her imminent move. He was always shattered after these stays away, they worked him hard but both she and Elvis had come to visit him and he didn't feel so isolated from the real world when they visited him there.
As soon as he opened the door the house smelt different. Her shoes and coat by the front door so she was here somewhere. He walked into the lounge there was a large throw slung over the sofa, cushions on every chair. He saw what he thought were scented candles, judging by the smell in the fireplace. He walked to the mantel piece and saw photos in frames of him, his son and them together and he couldn't help but smile as he remembered when they were taken as he touched them. He walked through to the dining room, but the only thing he could see there was a huge empty vase in the middle of the table, he made a mental note to go and buy her the biggest bouquet of flowers he could find tomorrow to fill it, his face lighting up into a huge grin. No changes in the kitchen he could see as he walked through and put on his coffee machine to heat up the water. She wasn't down here.
He picked up his holdall from the hall and started walking up the stairs and could hear soft music. Grinning as he saw the new chest of drawers had been delivered while he was away and there were cushions now resting on the headboard of their bed.
He dropped his holdall by the drawers and opened the door to their ensuite. There she was up to her neck in bubbled water her eyes closed and a glass of wine by her side and the bottle on the floor. There were tea lights dotted about the end of the bath and on the sink assaulting his senses with the smell of vanilla and was that chocolate too? She had turned his house to a home while he had been away. He couldn't stop smiling as he watched her listening to the music from her iPod even with her eyes closed her face was still expressive, as she mimed the words to the current song. He lent against the door frame smiling and watching. How had she wormed her way into his heart? He adored her and couldn't believe his luck that she had been his battle replacement.
It was as if she knew she was being watched as her eyes slowly opened looking across to the door "You're back then?" she grinned and all he could do was nod. "Wanna get in, the water's still warm?" he nodded again a grin spreading across his own face as he started to strip off his clothes.
"God I've bloody missed you."
"Bloody hell you've seen me nearly every day."
"Not the same though" as he slid in behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist his fatigue ebbing away in the warm water.
-OG-
Jackie and Dangles wanted to have a housewarming, which Charles thought might be a little rash, having 2 section, a host of medics and friends in their home so soon after having furnished it and moved in.
Charles and Molly walked to their home hand in hand. Charles stopping them outside the door and looking down into her beaming face "So are you sure?" he grinned "are we going to do this?"
Molly nodded at him "you can say it though, you tell 'em."
"Thanks."
"We won't get away with it for much longer, if any of them come across to Keogh they will see I ain't living in barracks anymore" she pulled on his hand to stop him knocking on the door "You ain't changed you mind have you, want me to go back to barracks?"
He turned to face her cupping her face in his large hands and shaking his head as he looked into her expectant eyes "Remember what I said to you on the bridge, I want you to be the last thing I see" and Molly nodded "Add to that I want you to be the first thing I see in the morning and the last thing I see at night for the rest of my life."
She reached up to kiss him on the lips "You don't half say some nice things sometimes" He snorted a laugh "Might be nice if you said it back sometimes" he grinned.
"I'm shy" she replied grinning and Charles threw his head back in laughter "That's one thing Molly, I would not accuse you of" kissing her forehead "Come on then my brave little soldier let's do this" and knocked on the door before she could change her mind.
-OG-
They walked into Jackie and Dangles house and out into the garden where most of 2 section seemed to be congregating. Jackie coming up to Molly to give her a glass of wine and a bottle of beer for Charles. She knew what was going to happen at some point during the evening, they had discussed it and she felt that she couldn't keep covering it up from Dangles for much longer. She winked and grinned at Molly. Now all their guests were here Dangles came out with his bottle of beer and made a short speech of welcome to his and Jackie's new home and he would be pretty pissed if they burnt the carpets with their fag butts or tipped their drinks into it.
Molly and Charles had been mingling. Molly laughing with her medic friends, Katy and Lauren, he had been having a long conversation with Kinders about his rehab and when he would get back to them. Kinders telling him that he thought he might like to go for a promotion to Sergeant, he was getting married and he wanted to start looking at making the army his career. It was getting late when Charles looked around for Molly to see her talking with Brains, she grinned at him and he nodded his head indicating she should come over to him.
"So, we still gonna do this" she grinned up at him and he nodded, putting his arm around her waist and pulling her to him bending his head to kiss her, as her hands travelled up to his chest. They were sort of aware that the garden had gone quiet before there was a whooping noise and Baz started singing Molly and the Bossman kissing in a tree. Charles grinned against her mouth before pulling away "I think they might know" he laughed.
"I told you didn't I?" exclaimed an excited Fingers "Divvy up lads" as the rest of 2 section handed over their fivers.
Molly and Charles turned to face them his arm still around her shoulders "What did you tell them Fingers?"
"That Molly was always your favourite, Boss" he grinned.
"Strike one Fingers" although grinning he didn't want anything coming back that would affect his or Molly's career "Molly and I realised once we got back that we had feelings for each other, she has been visiting me through rehab and we have just moved in together."
"What's with all the fivers?" laughed Molly her arm still round his waist
"We were watching you at the Karaoke singing" said Brains "We guessed and just wondered when you would get around to telling your mates Moll" he grinned.
"Fuck" whispered Charles "I hadn't realised we were that obvious" looking down at Molly who was sniggering beside him.
"So, when are you having a housewarming Boss?" grinned Fingers "I take it we will all be invited as Molly's mates."
"Strike two Fingers."
"Boss?" came the plaintive tones of Mansfield "You're not going to make me do the lady parts again if Molly isn't our medic anymore are you?"
Charles closed his eyes and shook his head "No Mansfield I'm not, I will only ever sing that song with Molly" sighing he added "Anyway I haven't got clearance for active service again yet, still in rehab so it might not even be me that is your Captain."
"Course it will" added Brains "You'll pass."
"Thanks Brains" he nodded "Seriously lads we're not a secret but we don't want to be a source of gossip either, so would appreciate this not being a source of conversation around the barracks" Fingers was busily counting up his money but they all nodded. They were fond of their Captain and Molly and weren't about to allow them to be subjected to rumours.
-OG-
They had been living together for several weeks now and D-day was approaching, where he would have his assessments on his fitness. It was a year since he had been shot and Major Beck wanted to see him. He dressed with precision, nervous about the meeting with Beck. He was staring into the mirror lost in his own world, thinking about his future. As he pulled at his uniform noting it still felt a bit loose he thought about how important the army had been, now he felt it wasn't, not like it had been. He knew he and Molly were still in that honeymoon period, while they got used to being together, after all he had been married before and remembered this with Rebecca. The difference this time was he just knew this was it for him, if he had to choose it would be her, maybe it wouldn't do any harm to have a look at an employment website see what was out there.
He was so deep in his thoughts it made him jump when a pair of hands snaked around his waist, holding him tight "It will be alright Charles" she whispered, "You look pretty fit to me."
He sniggered and turned to look at her "You might be a bit biased" kissing the top of her head "Do you want a lift to Keogh on the way?"
-OG-
He knocked on the door and was given the order to enter. Major Beck smiled at him and offered him a chair "So how is the rehab coming Charles?" he asked, "you look well."
"Thank you Sir, I feel it."
"Will you be ready for an assessment in June?" Charles drew in a sharp breath, it was April, would he really be ready in time, he still had twinges in his leg if he pushed himself.
He shrugged before saying "Not sure that I will continue in the army Sir."
Major Beck sat back in his chair shocked at the revelation from Charles, he was one of his best officers "Any particular reason for this Charles?"
"Well," stuttered Charles "that last operation was a disaster, I took my eye off the ball and left Private Dawes exposed and Private Smith was shot."
"As were you Charles" and he nodded "Is this all down to whether you think you are fit enough to continue with the army or your relationship with Private Dawes?" and watched as Charles eyes widened in shock. Major Beck couldn't help but grin "I don't for one moment believe that any impropriety went on during that tour, but as your CO I am aware of your relationship with her since returning."
"Sir" he sighed "I just think I should resign my commission based on the fact we were unable to apprehend Badrai like the Americans wanted and I lost focus while dealing with Private Smith."
"Smith was unfortunate and that is no reflection on you or Dawes for that matter" playing with his pen "That was down to the medical team at Bastion for not running full checks after the second shooting."
"Not sure that Molly sees it like that Sir, as a medic."
"Well, she should and so should you Charles" looking at him in the eye "you have been one of my best Captains and the army will not want to lose you, why not wait until you have the full medical in June before making any decision on your future" continuing "What does Private Dawes say as a medic?"
Charles grinned "Not to make any rash decisions."
Major Beck stood up "Seems like her advice is sound Charles" he extended his hand as the meeting was coming to an end "Let's review this again at the end of June when you have completed the medical."
Charles stood and shook his hand. Looks like his CO didn't consider his career over.
-OG-
Charles strode across the parade ground of North Camp after his meeting only to come face to face with his mate coming in the opposite direction
"What are you doing here Elvis?"
"Thought you could stand me to lunch and tell me how your meeting with Beck went."
Charles laughed "Come on then" and they walked across to the mess.
They got their food and sat at a table away from others "So when is the review board?"
"End of June" sighed Charles.
"It's only April" laughed Elvis "I can get the team to help out, get you fit. We can go running, swimming, climbing…Plenty of time mate" taking a mouthful of food and swallowing "I'll get Spanner on to it, we could even go fishing."
"What did you have in mind, I know you Elvis, I don't want to do your fucking Fan Dance"
"Of course not Charlie" he grinned "Spanner has been itching to get up to Scotland, he can organise somewhere out in the wilds so we can put you through your paces."
"So after having spent best part of a year in and out of hospital and Headley I tell Molly that I'm going away with you and the lads to train for this review?"
Elvis shrugged "Bring her with you, she can do the cooking" Charles threw his head back and roared with laughter "You can tell her that mate, but don't expect to have kids in the future."
"Can't she cook?" Elvis grinned "Marmite on toast at a push" laughed Charles "Might jazz it up with a bit of cheese."
"Fuck" laughed Elvis "Well we can get Jen to come along she is fair to middling."
"Why don't you cook, you're pretty good and don't you think it a bit…." Shrugging, raising his eyebrows and biting the corner of his lip "of a cheek expecting the women to do it?"
"I know but Italian food needs time and care for perfection, you certainly don't do it on a calor gas fire" laughing and looking across to the food counter and seeing someone he recognised "Didn't you say her mate was a blinding cook?" completely ignoring the comment about the women doing the cooking.
"What Jackie" he nodded "Yeah we've been there a few times for lunch or dinner, you certainly don't walk away hungry."
"Dangles" shouted Elvis "Over here" as Dangles looked around to the sound of his name.
"You alright Boss" he grinned at Charles and he nodded
"I hear Jackie is a blinding cook" and Dangles nodded "How would the pair of you fancy a trip to Scotland get Captain James fit for his assessment in June?"
"Love to but it depends when in June" replied Dangles "I know she is trying to organise a surprise for Molly towards the end of June" noting the frown and confused expression on the Boss's face "It's her 21'st Boss."
"Shit" colouring up "I completely forgot."
"You'd better pull yourself together Charlie" grinned Elvis "You better not forget that" coughing he continued "Right then beginning of June we spend 4 or 5 days getting you fit and in the meantime you keep training" he stood up "Better be getting back to Hereford, will text you with the details Charlie" and with that he left.
"Dangles" and Charles turned to face him "What has Jackie got planned for Molly?"
"Well, she figured that you would take her somewhere nice for the actual day" he grinned as Charles had clearly forgotten and had no idea of the date "she was going to organise an overnight at Pennyhill for the girls, a mid-week deal."
"Thanks Dangles, for the reminder" he grinned.
-OG-
Charles got a text from Elvis. Most the Special Forces lads were coming, Peanut, Jackson, Spanner with Jenny. Then Dangles along with Jackie confirmed. He just had to tell Molly. It started well.
"5 days in Scotland" he beamed "Start of an early birthday celebration."
"I've never been to Scotland" she enthused "Where are we going?"
"Isle of Arran, it's beautiful, we can look at the stars, and much prettier than the top of the shitter in Afghan" making her snigger "We'll be staying in a Yurt."
"What's that?" she looked confused but smiling and he started to explain what it was.
"A fucking tent?" she shook her head "You might have had porta cabins with facilities being an officer and that but we stayed in bleedin tents" she huffed her hands on her hips "You are taking me on holiday in a bleedin tent?"
"It's not a tent as such Molly" as he tried to put his hands on her shoulders but she stepped away "It's got facilities."
"You mean a flushing bog" shaking her head "A fucking round tent"
"Elvis booked it all, it's to help get me get fit for the assessment" he pleaded "Jackie and Jenny are coming too."
"Why am I not surprised the fuckwit thought this was a good idea, any normal person would have just taken you down the gym" drawing breath "But he has to organise a fuckin tent in the middle of bleedin nowhere."
He stood up and pulled her to him wrapping his arms around her waist "I'll make it up to you, I want you to come, and it won't be the same without you" nuzzling her neck as she closed her eyes starting to feel weak at the knees "but if you really don't want to go, I can cancel."
"Is this really to help get you fit so you can stay in the army?" and he nodded against her neck peppering it with little kisses "OK I'll come, but I don't really like the country."
"I love you" his whispered against her ear sending all sorts of messages through her body as she clung to him "All I will ever want is to make you happy."
"Alright mate" she giggled "Just don't make a regular habit of booking a holiday in a tent with your mate."
"He won't be in there with us."
"He better bloody not be or you really will piss me off" making him howl with laughter cupping her face with his hands "I adore you Molly Dawes" and planting a kiss on her lips.
-OG-
It took a plane, hire car and a ferry but they finally arrived at the camp site on the Isle of Arran. To say that Molly was shocked was an understatement. She thought Afghan was beautiful but this place was stunning, even if it wasn't as warm as Afghan.
"It's beautiful Jen ain't you lucky coming from Scotland?"
Jenny laughed "I don't come from anywhere like this, I was born and raised in Merryhill, Glasgow" she shrugged "City girl just like you."
"Why does Merryhill sound familiar" said Molly with a slight frown.
"If you say, 'there's been a murder' in a piss poor Scottish accent" laughed Spanner "there will be."
"Well at least there are no trees" laughed Dangles "they give Molly the willies."
"What? Why?" asked Charles with a confused expression and putting his arm across Molly's shoulder.
"They make funny noises" she answered looking down.
"Trees?" he sniggered "make funny noises, new one on me."
"They do when it's windy" jutting out her chin and looking up at him "and the way they move, it's scary"
"Come on let's get billeted" said Elvis putting a stop to the conversation. The couples having a Yurt each while he Jackson and Peanut took the largest.
-OG-
"Oh WOW" said Molly as they walked into their Yurt. It was dimly lit with battery operated hurricane lamps a small area cordoned off for the bathroom with toilet, sink and shower hot water provided by solar panels. The main room had a log burner with chimney going up through the middle of the Yurt. The bed, well she just sighed at the sight of it. What looked like antlers made from wood carvings at the head and foot of a large bed festooned with cushions. A couple of armchairs strategically placed either side of the log burner. There was a small wooden veranda attached to the side with a barbeque and sink for cooking.
"It's beautiful Charlie" she whispered. His own face breaking out into a huge grin as he walked up behind her and put his arms around her, he knew this trip was for him, to help him get fit for his assessment, but he wanted her to enjoy it too. See something she had never seen before and he wanted to be the one to show her.
Although the Yurts were strategically placed for privacy there was a huge fire pit in the middle of the area for cooking. Food packs had been provided for them. He could hear Elvis calling out to start stoking the fire if they wanted to eat tonight.
"Come on, let's get everything stowed away and start dinner" he grinned down at her. "Show me what a good girl guide you were" she fell about laughing "What in East Ham, you're having a giraffe, never would have been a girl guide there, we could have only gone camping in the park and the druggies would have nicked our uniforms and probably the tents when we were sleeping"
It was right at the beginning of June and although warm during the day, was not in the evening and they were glad of the fire. Jackie had been amazing. She had prepared a huge casserole at home and brought it up with her, their first night around a campfire with a beautiful smelling beef stew heating in a large pot over the fire. Elvis had also packed several bottles of Chianti.
Darkness descended and Molly couldn't stop staring at the sky. It was so dark out there the sky was festooned with what looked like millions of little fairy lights.
-OG-
They all turned in for the night. Molly went into the bathroom first, if you called it that a solar powered shower and basin, so they agreed that they might shower together so they both got the hot water. She came back into the main part of the Yurt
"What the fuck have you got on?" laughed Charles who was standing there in his t-shirt and boxers.
"What me PJ's" looking down at herself "well it's a bit taters and I ain't having anything crawling over me in the night" as she gave a little shiver.
"I think you can safely say that nothing will get inside that outfit" he laughed looking at the long bottoms elasticated at the ankle along with long sleeve top also elasticated at the wrists. She had tucked the hem of the shirt down the bottoms and it was being held in by the elasticated waist. She had plaited her hair and stuffed it down inside the top. Still laughing, "What do you think is likely to crawl over you in the night"
"There's bound to be spiders out here and what about worms?"
"Worms?" he snorted a laugh "What on earth made you think of that?"
"Well, they come out the ground at night don't they" looking at him "all slimy and I don't want one crawling over me, or spiders, or any other creepy crawlies" as she shivered at the thought, he closed his eyes and shook his head, biting his bottom lip to stop himself bursting into hysterical laughter. She was priceless.
At that moment there was an ear piercing scream and he opened his eyes to see Molly shoot across the room and jump up on top of the bed. He barely had time to react when the tent flap opened and Elvis ran into the Yurt, closely followed by Peanut. He was met by the sight of Molly standing on the bed and Charles stood in his pants with a shocked expression on his face.
"What the fuck?" he started "what's happened?"
"There's a spider in here, a fucking great big black one" shrieked Molly hopping from foot to foot on the bed "Get it out, its bleedin huge" as Elvis looked wide eyed at her and Charles just shrugged. The three men starting to scour the floor for the elusive spider.
"It's probably fucked off with the noise you made Dawes" sighed Elvis.
"Got it Boss" laughed Peanut "I'll take it somewhere safe" he grinned and left.
"Any chance of a bit of peace now so we can all get some bloody sleep" said Elvis walking out the Yurt and closing the flap.
Molly climbed under the covers turning on her side and then wrapped them tightly up round her neck, sure she wouldn't sleep for the rest of the night. Charles climbed in beside her still grinning as he put his arm over her and pulled her against his chest. She could feel his chest vibrating against her back
"Charles?" she started.
"Yes" still sniggering.
"If you don't pissing stop laughing you can go and sleep with Elvis."
"But then there would be no one here to protect you" and couldn't stop himself from bursting into hysterical laughter "from spiders and worms."
"You can go right off people you know" giggling herself "Anyway it was Peanut who caught it not you."
"You without a doubt…" he laughed kissing her shoulder and pulling her even closer "are the love of my life and I will always try and save you from Spiders"
"I'll remember that the next time there is one in the bath" snuggling into him and picking his hand up to kiss it before putting it back round her waist "an I love you an all" grinning as she closed her eyes.