Road to Tears
Chapter 13
Georgie was quite taken with the aid worker Milan. His passion for helping, trying to make the lives of the children better and after that incident where they had both been trapped in that collapsing building had bonded them in some way. How he kept talking with her helping her to keep calm, held her hand. It was nothing like the situation she had dealt with in Kenya but there were times where she thought she saw Kiki smiling at her.
Milan had taken her to see a living goddess, she couldn't believe it was a small child looking out the window. He showed her his home, held her hand and while she knew he could never be Elvis she liked the contact. The feeling that everything was alright in the world.
She had had to rebuke Maisie Richards a few times with the stuff she was filling the child Tara's head with. Fancy telling her how wonderful it would be in the UK after she had lost her home and family, painting a picture that she would be able to achieve exalted heights of being prime minister.
Georgie had mentioned a couple of times to Captain James about a man who was coming into camp and talking with the children but it was a local village and they couldn't stop people coming in he said, but to keep an eye on the children just to be on the safe side.
It was chilly in the room with them and she got up and sat on the front porch. She saw Milan walking to their make-shift medical area smiled and waved at him before getting up and walking towards him. He took her hand and pulled her behind the building and started to kiss her. It had been a long time since she had felt this kind of affection. Jamie probably before she left him standing at the altar. She still couldn't get over how she had done that to him knowing how much it would hurt. In her ear she could hear Molly telling her maybe she had never got over Elvis, maybe she should forgive him there was clearly unfinished business between them, but she wasn't ready to do that yet as she kissed Milan and one thing led to another. Milan was a kind and gentle man and it was affection she felt she needed at the moment when everything looked so bleak out here and her disappointment in herself for how she had treated Jamie.
Georgie went to the mess area to get herself a coffee when Richards came running up saying the children had gone. How could they be gone, she had only left them a short time ago. Maisie filled her in on this bloke that had been hanging about, in her opinion he was not to be trusted, he was definitely up to something dodgy. She knew that, which is why Captain James said to keep an eye on them.
As luck would have it before Maisie's little friend had disappeared she had stolen Rabs phone and Maisie had phoned the number and she had picked up saying she was on her way to England, they all were.
Georgie, Maisie and Rab had tried to catch up using one of the trucks in the village but with a new wave of aftershocks that was now impossible. They did however, before the lines went dead again, find out from Tara that they were on their way to Afghan where they would get transport across to Europe.
Charles had radioed the three of them once he had become aware of their little escapade to chase after a trafficker blind and with no back up. He told them rather than come back they were to go to the main base camp and get word that children had been removed from the area. Wait there for further orders.
Word came through that they were all to leave the mountain region, go to Kathmandu for an update and get a background on the man who had they believed, taken these children. Charles couldn't believe it when he saw Elvis walking through the compound.
"What the fuck are you doing here?" he asked.
"Seems you have inadvertently stumbled on a trafficking ring."
"You know Georgie is here, is this why you've come?"
Elvis shrugged "No mate, this trafficking ring is headed up by someone called Omar in Afghan and we have been after him for some time. He has his fingers in a lot of pies and the money he raises through trafficking or drugs is used to fund terrorist activity. Half those people he sends across borders could be sleepers."
"Sounds a bit cold war to me mate."
"You know what I mean, they could have already been have converted by the time they get to Europe, be ready and able to cause havoc on home soil" he sighed "We can't let that happen."
"Unlikely we are in Nepal, they have to cross India and Pakistan before they even get to Afghan. Not to mention they are a group of kids"
Elvis nodded "That's why we are here, the network is sophisticated. It's not just kids he traffics" raising an eyebrow
"But why you of all people?" sighed Charles
"Well, I was available" he grinned "Bone's team is in Nigeria or possibly Sierra Leone, not sure."
"Sierra Leone, I think Molly's there."
"Stop getting your knickers in a twist Charlie, I don't know for definite that is where he is and even if he is it's a big fucking country."
Charles felt like he was sagging, he could feel himself wilt "does this mean we will be going back to Afghan" and Elvis nodded as Charles shut his eyes. His first trip back to that country since he was shot. Elvis saw it, the way Charles changed when he realised where they were going and needed to change the subject
"So how is the lovely Molly?"
"How the fuck would I know stuck out here, can't get hold of her and I knew she was probably going to be deployed to Sierra Leone before I left."
"Charlie, you know she will be OK don't you, she can look after herself, and she's much more capable than you give her credit for."
"Can she, is she?" he shrugged "Sometimes I wonder, 3 tours she's done of Afghan and something has happened on every one of them."
Elvis laughed "Yeah you got shot on one and nothing has happened to her, you just don't like some of the things she does. She's a soldier Charlie, you can't wrap her in cotton wool" still grinning at his friend and shaking his head as he slapped him on the back "Look Charlie we are in the Capital there is bound to be a signal why don't you try and phone her if you're that worried. Once we have intel we will be moving out to Afghan, see if you can find those kids before we go."
"How long?" he asked
Elvis shrugged "A week 10 days at most."
Charles walked back to their temporary barracks and switched on his phone, he grinned as soon as he saw he had 3 bars. As his phone sprang to life there was the familiar red dot telling him he had voicemail and text messages. His grin getting wider, they were all from Molly some of them dating back 2 months. Telling him she had been deployed, some saying where they had moved to, texts telling him she missed him and hoped he was alright. Several telling him to phone her when he got a signal, let her know he was OK.
Nothing in the last week though as he selected her name and phoned. He heard the ring tone, bloody typical first time he gets an opportunity to ring and she doesn't pick the bloody thing up, focus up he told himself, she could be working somewhere and not heard. He left a message telling her that everything was fine but contact was bad in the area, he told her he had seen Dangles a couple of weeks ago and to tell Jackie he was fine too. He ended the message with a reminder to stay safe and keep her lovely arse down. Until he knew for definite if they were being sent to Afghan he thought he couldn't mention it in case she worried.
-OG-
They had the help from the local police and were able to apprehend one of the traffickers along with some of the children, unfortunately not the one that Maisie had got friendly with, Tara. The idea being to let the trafficker go and hopefully he would lead them to the big fish – Omar, the one that was a serious concern to the intelligence service for a variety of reasons.
Seems they were on their way back to Afghan. Charles left a final message for Molly saying they were on route to Afghan and he didn't know when he would be able to contact her again, but he would. Perhaps she could pick her bloody phone up when he did.
They landed at the aerodrome just outside Kabul. Bloody hell grinned Charles if it wasn't Captain Azizi meeting them. "Hello, my friend it is so nice to see you after all this time" said Charles smiling and extending his hand which Azizi took returning the handshake and broad smile at seeing an old friend.
"It is good to see you Captain looking so well and with some of your old section too" carried on Azizi "I think I upset your old medic when she was out here, must be a year or more now" he shrugged "Is she alright?"
"He married her mate" said Elvis coming up to join the two men and patting Charles on the shoulder. Charles rolled his eyes but nodded at Azizi grinning.
"Congratulations Captain James, we were told that soldiers were coming but we were not told it was you" smiled Azizi "Let me take you to the barracks at Kabul."
Charles was watching the crowded, dusty streets as the truck made its way slowly through Kabul, the traffic chaos with cars, trucks, bikes all vying for space on the road. Apart from the traffic being bad he spotted a group of men huddled together and openly taking drugs. To be fair on his other tours he had either been in Bastion or Helmand in FOBs so had not been to the city, it was a bit of a shock.
"There are poppies grown everywhere Captain James" sighed Azizi "Once the allies left the warlords took over and started growing it, with the Taliban at least it was banned, this is what we have been left with."
Charles felt he needed to be vigilant this did not look a safe city, and even though they were in armoured trucks and with the ANA on display he didn't feel they should be complacent about the situation. A motorcyclist pulled up alongside their truck and was taking a keen interest in the occupants which had Charles very much on edge.
"Let's get moving and get the driver to speed up" he said to Azizi before turning to Elvis and whispering through gritted teeth, "and this is where you brought her to plant a fucking tree?" still scanning the area, while Elvis shrugged having seen this all before.
The motorcyclist must have contacted cohorts as they seemed to have picked up a convoy of bikes and they opened fire. The driver was hit but was able to put his foot down and they got to the barracks, the bikes peeling away as they passed through the gates.
"Lane" ordered Captain James "Take the driver to the med centre" looking across to the section getting out the truck "Is everyone OK?" Everyone nodded but he did notice that Richards and Kahlil looked a bit out of sorts, but this was their first tour of Afghan it was understandable.
"Welcome to Afghan" grinned Kingy the rest of the section joining in and grinning.
-OG-
They had their briefing the following morning, the drones having found the heavily fortified compound where they believed Omar to be holed up.
Charles informed them that they will go most of the distance in ANA trucks as cover and then walk the last 2 hours to the compound. They would wait overnight at an abandoned US base before making the final part of the journey.
"Are you sure we should go ahead with this mission Captain James?" asked Azizi.
"Of course, we need to neutralise him, he's trafficking kids for profit" surprised that Azizi would even contemplate that this shouldn't be done "Not to mention the drugs and other things he might be up to"
Azizi shrugging and sighing "I just didn't think it would be you that came back here."
"You and me both, I thought with 4 tours under my belt and getting shot on the last one that would be it for me" he grinned "but with a lot of time, care and support I got better and stayed with the army."
-OG-
They finally arrived at the checkpoint which was the last one before the abandoned base and Maisie couldn't help but notice that Captain Azizi nodded to one of the Dickers as he was passing on his bike and had a funny feeling that they knew each other, something in the way they did it, it was sly. The more she thought about it the more she thought she should see Captain James to tell him she thought he knew one of them, that she thought it was a bit suspicious, sly even.
"I know Captain Azizi" Charles responded firmly "What exactly do you think he did?"
"Nothing really boss, but you hear about it don't you, where they aren't really on your side at all" taking a deep breath before saying it "You know Green on Blue."
"I trust Captain Azizi" continued Charles, "In the same way I trust all of you" and he couldn't help but remember the tour he had done with Molly, where they had gone up to the mountain CP to find the ANA soldiers all dead. Captain Azizi had been devastated at the loss of his men.
The ANA and 2 section spread out around the FOB. Georgie was sat watching the interaction between 2 section and Special Forces. Washing, shaving and Georgie couldn't help but stare at the bare chest of Elvis noticing the scar on his side. How he was shot saving her from that terrorist Abu. She remembered holding his head, terrified she was going to lose him. But what had they achieved in the last year, apart from agreeing they would be friends. She still loved him and nothing was going to change that but she just couldn't get past he never gave her the choice of marrying him when he found out he had a daughter. Yeah Maisie had slipped up and let her know she had a one night stand with him, but she could see it in his eyes he still had feelings for her. She couldn't say much, after all she had started a relationship with Milan. Bloody typical of Elvis to turn up again just as she was.
Charles was wandering round the FOB and went up into one of the old watch towers pulling out his phone, but put it away again, now might not be the best time to try and contact Molly. He was surprised to see Azizi up here.
"Are you OK?" he asked and a very tiny part of him playing over the conversation he had had with Richards about Azizi's loyalty.
"Missing home I think" shrugged Azizi "It has been such a long war."
"Do you live in Kabul?" and Azizi shook his head.
"You're right it has been a long war, this will be my 5th tour" sighing "Do you not like us being here?"
Azizi looked him straight in the eye "Your governments came here to dismantle a government that they didn't like then left us to our fate" he shrugged "We will catch this Omar but what then? The war will continue, catching one will change nothing another will just come along and take his place. There are hundreds more just waiting in the wings to step up."
"We have to have hope" sighing himself "That one day this will all be over."
He nodded at his friend as he turned to leave the watch tower, he felt a shiver down his spine as if someone had walked over his grave.
-OG-
The following morning under cover of darkness they left the FOB for the compound. 2 section on foot and Special Forces following on in the helicopter.
They ducked down at the first bullet whistling past Maisie. She checked her helmet and couldn't help but swallow hard; that was bloody close. Kahlil had also been hit in the shoulder and they were pinned down in a ditch. Georgie completely ignored Captain James orders when she saw the insurgent on the wall fall and got up from her own position to run to the ditch where her fallen section were pinned down. To say that Captain James was furious was an understatement as he ordered Fingers to return covering fire.
It was at that moment the helicopter came into view, Elvis and his team landed close to where Georgie was now holed up with Kingy, Kahlil and Monk. They returned covering fire as another insurgent came onto the wall with a rocket launcher and damaged the helicopter forcing it to veer away and return to Kabul. Leaving them there with no air support.
Spanner laid the explosives and with covering fire from Elvis, Dyno and 2 section got back to the bunker and detonated leaving a gaping hole in the wall of the compound. Elvis gave the signal to advance and they started moving forward, leaving Georgie with Rab and Maisie who is still shocked at the near miss.
All of them in the compound now as the Taliban appeared to be retreating. "Secure the compound" ordered Charles as he spotted Azizi heading back out to the road. He called him a few times but he appeared to not hear or was ignoring him, so he started to run to catch him. He watched as Azizi waved to the Dicker on a bike and it all suddenly became clear, they were set up, that's why there were men on the wall, they had a rocket launcher, they had been betrayed and Richards was right, and the man he called an ally and trusted was the one that did it.
"I trusted you" shouted Charles as he grabbed Azizi by the shoulder swinging him round to face him.
"I'm sorry I tried to warn you, hoped you would abort the mission."
"You do know that people have been injured here today don't you, you put my men's lives at risk."
"There will be no peace while the allies are here, you bomb them so they retaliate and bomb you."
"Are you saying this is our fault, you were happy to watch me die?" and then a thought came into his head; Molly talking with Azizi about Qassem and wanting to know where he was. "How long, when did you turn into a traitor, when my wife was here, would you've watched her die too?" He felt a blinding rage at his friend, for this betrayal an anger he didn't think he had felt before.
Azizi tried to walk towards the Dicker but Charles held onto him refusing to let go, wanting answers from him – how long he wanted to know. The Dicker raised his gun aiming at Charles but Azizi spotted him putting his hand up and shouting a warning but in his haste the gunman shot Azizi rather than Captain James. The Dicker raced off on his bike before Charles could shoot back. He was temporarily stunned looking down at Azizi on the ground with blood all over his chest. The man who he once considered a friend but it would now appear was his enemy. Charles knelt down beside him to try to stem the flow but couldn't and he knew he needed to get him back to their temporary medical area and to Lane. He carried him back and all Azizi kept saying was sorry. He wanted answers, he wanted to know why.
The ANA soldiers along with Captain James watched as Azizi went into shock from blood loss. Even with Lane frantically trying to work on him he was fading fast as he looked across at Captain James.
"I think he's gone" said Georgie, she knew he was a friend of her Captain and kept up with the chest compressions.
Charles nodded "Leave it, he's gone" and he walked out into the main part of the compound and sat on a wall. He didn't know what he felt if he was being honest with himself. The loss of his friend or finding out he betrayed them and that he had misjudged him so badly that ultimately it put the lives of his unit as risk.
Elvis, watched him go as he radioed in for backup helicopters and went to find Charles and joined him, looking at him sitting there with his head down his uniform covered in Azizi's blood. Elvis went and sat next to him and he heard him sigh.
"I'm a fucking idiot, I never should've trusted him" taking in a large breath "Richards tried to warn me but I wouldn't listen, we could have lost everyone."
"Don't think about it mate, you know what a fucked up place this is."
"For all the years we have been coming here, what have we actually achieved?" sighing again "I've done 5 tours and for what?"
"I for one don't wanna think it was for nothing" patting Charles on the arm "Look you met the love of your life coming out here" then snorting a laugh "even if she is a gobby cockney."
"Yeah and Azizi could have turned by then when she was out here and wanted to find Qassem's grave, he could have betrayed her too."
"But she didn't ask him to help her, did she Charlie" staring at his friend who looked very distressed by this betrayal a mixture of sadness and rage on his face "she asked me and I wasn't going to let anything happen to her was I?"
At that moment they heard the rotor blades of the helicopters coming to take them back to base as they both looked up.
"Well at least we don't have to worry about any more of them being traitors, we'll be back in the mess in no time" grinned Elvis as both men got up to start rounding up the men for the return trip to the Base in Kabul.
Rab wasn't the only one injured in that compound ambush a couple of ANA soldiers had taken bullets too and Georgie was working in the temp medical area, checking they were OK ready for loading into the medivacs for the return trip to Kabul.
"Are you alright?" asked Elvis wandering up behind her as she watched the first helicopter take off with the injured "you've worked bloody hard here" and made a grab for her hand "You know I still love you don't you?" he whispered.
Georgie left her hand in his as she nodded "I know you do" struggling to take her eyes off his.
They started loading up on to the helicopters "Well done lads" said Captain James "once we get back to base, clean up and when we get clearance we can get out of here and with any luck never set foot in this bloody place again."
-OG-
Elvis saw Georgie sat in the mess and went over to sit opposite her "You know I would give it all up for you don't you? You just have to say the word."
Georgie huffed but still looked into his eyes "How can I trust you after what you did?"
"I've changed, you know why I didn't come that day, I would give it all up for you, prove to you nothing's changed for me that I still love you."
"Maybe I don't want you to give it up for me" she answered before getting up and walking away.
Elvis got up to follow her out into the compound grabbing her arm, "We found Omar, he wasn't in the compound we just raided but another here in Kabul" and Georgie turned to face him.
"So, you're going to get him then."
Elvis grinned "Of course we are but I want you to know that when we get back I'm jacking it all in."
"What you going to do, stay at home and look after the kids?" she grinned.
He stepped closer to her looking down at her mouth "We're gonna have them then?" he grinned as he put his arm around her waist, pulling her closer and she shook her head but couldn't help but grin back.
"Do you love me too? I think you do but it would be nice to hear it" he asked.
"I can't image not spending the rest of my life with you."
Elvis wrapped both his arms around her waist as hers wound round his neck and into his hair. He lowered his head to kiss her "I'll take that" as his face broke out into a huge smile, his eyes never leaving hers.
"Don't ever let me down again."
"I never will" he whispered as he pushed her against the wall of a cabin devouring her lips. He slowly guided her to his cabin all the time kissing her and remembering what they had before he messed up.
They spent the night entwined in each other's arms "Stop smirking Elvis" she giggled as she looked at him.
"I'm just so bloody happy" he sighed "Once we get Omar we can go home" wrapping his arms around her "carry on from we we've left off" raising his eyebrows and giving one of his cheeky grins that always had her doing what he wanted.
-OG-
2 section were sat on benches along with Special Forces in the ops room, with Captain James stood out front the map of the target on the screen behind him, he explained the objective is to capture Omar, they will create a diversion on the ground, giving Special Forces the opportunity to come down on ropes to the roof. 2 section will clear the ground floors while Special Forces work their way down to them as they work their way up.
Charles was still looking at the maps on the table as 2 section walked out. He couldn't help but sigh "What has been the point, what a fucking waste."
Sergeant King was still in the room and heard him "With all due respect Boss we've all lost friends here and I don't want to think it was for nothing" picking up his kit and leaving Charles to his thoughts. This tour was bringing memories back of men he had lost. He had some counselling after he was shot, it was a requirement but it didn't stop the odd flash of memory that was coming back to him, being on that bridge and that it was an ANA soldier who had shot Smurf. How he had left Molly unprotected and by sheer luck had managed to pop Badrai before he shot her.
Georgie was sorting through her kit when she found the note from Elvis "Will you marry me" and sellotaped to the back was her ring, it felt a lifetime ago that she had posted it back to him devastated at what he had done. She couldn't help but smile broadly as she put it on, looking at it shining on her finger. They had talked long into the night, well amongst other things and she couldn't help but smile at the memories and feelings the night had brought to her. It had taken a while but finally they were back on track and they both remembered the feelings and passion they had always had for each other. They were always going to be tied to each other, it was their destiny.
As they were leaving to load up into the back of the truck she saw Elvis on the loading bay and grinned at him, lifting her hand to show that she was wearing his ring. The smile he gave her in return she would never forget, hesitant at first until he saw the ring. She blew him a kiss and watched as he did what he always used to when they blew each other kisses, he caught it and put his fist to his mouth. It had taken a long time go get over that hurt, but finally she had and she couldn't remember being as happy as this in a long time. Elvis' eyes never left hers and he winked, his smile just for her and hers just for him as she got in the back of the truck. It was as if they weren't in a war zone and there was only the two of them standing there.
They arrived at the location and were already under attack as soon as they arrived in the area. The ANA truck had been hit and crashed through a shop front. 2 section got out of their truck and started to secure the area weapons at the ready and not really sure where the attack was coming from. Georgie was trying to treat the ANA driver from the first truck it looked like most of them were either killed or injured.
Elvis from the helicopter was worried by all the radio chatter as they seemed to be under heavy attack "We'd better go in" he said to Spanner who nodded and they dropped to the roof. Georgie was down there and he needed to make sure she was safe, they had only just got back together and he couldn't lose her now.
On the ground levels Captain James and 2 section are slowly clearing the buildings. There was no sign of Omar and the insurgents they did capture told them he wasn't there.
"Has anyone got eyes on Omar" asked Captain James and again the replies came back he hadn't been seen. Elvis finally told them they could cease fire the roof was clear. Spanner, Dyno and Jackson already moving down the floors. Elvis was still scouring the roof when he saw the rucksack and walked towards it opening up radio comms to say a possible IED on the roof. He carefully opened it to see a phone with wires and attached to some kind of device. He was about to walk away from it and radio for bomb disposal when he saw a number come up on the screen. No time to move, no time to think.
They were all looking up towards the roof after Elvis said possible IED and they all watched in horror as the roof of the derelict factory seemed to turn into a fireball as the device exploded. They continued watching as Elvis fell to the ground surrounded by rubble and burning embers.
Georgie had heard the chatter on the radio while she was treating a civilian but as soon as she heard the explosion she left him to run out and towards him, calling his name. All the time Kingy and Captain James calling out orders to the section.
"Please don't leave me" she sobbed looking into his unblinking eyes "Please don't go" as she tried to resuscitate him. Kingy kneeling beside her watching her trying to bring Elvis back, he shook his head in the direction of Captain James as he tried to pick up Georgie trying to drag her away, all the time she's screaming for him.
"What will I do without him?" she sobbed being held back by Kingy.
Charles walked to his best friend a man he had known since he started at Sandhurst, he could feel a lump in his throat at what he saw, the light had gone from his eyes so he closed them as a final act of friendship. Georgie was right, what would he do without his mate in his life anymore.
Spanner tapped him on his shoulder while he was still kneeling next to Elvis "Boss there is nothing else we can do here, best get the men back to base, we'll bring Elvis back" Charles looked up at him and started to stand noticing the Special Forces men were all there. He nodded before giving the orders to move out.
-OG-
It was a very quiet group of men that went back to base at Kabul. Captain James and Kingy leaving them in the Mess while they went to the ops room for debrief and to get orders as to what would happen next.
It would seem that they still had to finish their tour, collect all the equipment that had been left behind, even though it was only a couple of weeks left. They were to be sent back to Nepal, although if Captain James wished to divide the team and send some back to the UK owing to what had happened then he could, and replacements could be moved up from another village.
Captain James stood in front of his men and he didn't know how he sounded so calm inside he was far from that, the indescribable sensation of loss racing through him. After the debrief he had got his phone out and seen he had a signal and could phone Molly, but what could he say, he couldn't face telling her the news so took a final look at her smiling face and put his phone away. How could he tell her something like that, if he said the words it made it real and he really didn't want this to be happening. Walking with Kingy to the front of the mess to tell them that some of them could go home.
To say he was shocked that they agreed they started together so they would finish together, took him by surprise, even Lane said that she wanted to go back to Nepal.
Charles went to visit her in her quarters while she was alone, he wanted to be sure she was making the right decision "I know this is hard Lane, are you sure you don't want to go home, see your family?"
"No Boss, what can they say, I need to keep busy Boss" he watched as her lip quivered and she broke down "We got back together in Kabul" she hiccupped and held out her ring on her dog tags "What am I going to do without him?"
He felt that lump again in his throat, a tingling sensation behind his eyes, that had shown itself ever since he saw Elvis lying in the dust but he had to be strong, support her. He held her, her head tucked under his chin "You will get through this Lane, in time, but are you sure you want to come back to Nepal?"
"Yes Boss."
-OG-
Molly was walking to the restaurant. They were back in Freetown, the crisis under control and some of them being allowed home. It had been a long and bloody hard three months. Her, Jackie, Katy and Lauren were among the next batch to be sent back to Brize. She was right though, the time's Charles phoned was when she had left her pigging phone in her locker, when they were walking back to base. That was a couple of weeks ago now and he hadn't phoned back and his signal had gone again.
She smiled and waved as she saw Peanut walking towards her. Her smile dropped from her face as she saw his expression. Something in the way he looked and walked told her something really bad had happened. She was routed to the spot, already starting to shake. As he got closer she could see just how upset he was and she dropped to her knees. Something had happened to Charlie she just knew it. He had only phoned her a couple of times but she had been miles from her phone at the time. Tears were already falling down her face and drained of colour, her breathing laboured and she thought she would faint. Peanut realised what she was thinking and quickened his pace to her lifting her back up.
"No Molly, it's not Captain James" holding her shoulders "It's Elvis" he guided her to a wall in the gardens and sat her down holding her hand, taking in a deep breath to tell her the story of how they were called to Afghan looking for a terrorist who was trafficking children, and Elvis had been killed in the raid. That was all the detail he had so far, Spanner had phoned him as he had been in the team with Elvis for years.
"Is he alright, Charles I mean and what about Spanner" more tears falling "They must be gutted" Peanut shrugged but nodded, Spanner hadn't said much but he knew how upset he was at losing the Boss, well they all were. You couldn't not like Elvis, he was a good Boss and even better friend.
"Was Georgie there as well?" she sobbed the thought suddenly occurring to her and Peanut nodded "She must be devastated, is she still out there or has she gone home?"
"Still out there I think, they were being sent back to Nepal to finish the job they were sent out to do but they are all due home in 10 days or so, that's what Spanner said."
Why the fuck hadn't he phoned to tell her she thought "Well we fly out tomorrow so will be there before them" tears still pouring down her face "I can't believe he's gone."
"You and me both Moll" he shrugged "Just wish I was there with them."
She looked across at Peanut for the first time and could see how much he was struggling with losing his old boss. She wrapped her arms around his bulky frame and hugged him tightly "I'm so sorry Peanut, I didn't think" kissing him on the cheek and wiping away her tears "Are you alright?"
Peanut nodded "Will miss him though."
"You and me both" she snorted "even if he did keep calling me half pint and taking the piss, bloody fuckwit,"
"Well, you are so easy to wind up half pint" he grinned back at her both of them remembering the man that for all his joking and risk taking had been a bloody good friend.
The half-smile disappeared from her face as she thought of Charles. "Charles is going to be devasted too, they were so tight. When will you get back Peanut?"
"Probably on the same flight as you if you are out of here tomorrow" watching her taking her phone out her pocket but there were no missed calls "Perhaps he doesn't know what to say and is waiting till he gets home to tell you face to face."
"Yeah! Probably." But her heart felt heavy for him.