Our Girl and it's characters belong to the bbc and were written by Tony Grounds.
Army Training Centre Pirbright. The place where her army life began and where she has returned after serving four years as an army medic.
Corporal Molly Dawes glances around the base as she takes several deep breaths of the cold November air in an attempt to settle the butterflies fluttering in her stomach.
'Ok Dawes buck up. You've crawled through a mine field and survived an explosion, you've saved several comrades on the brink of bleeding out, you've earned the MC. This will be a walk in the park compared to all that.' She silently reminds herself. Finally she raises her chin, grasps the door handle and confidently marches into the main building to begin the next chapter of her life.
"Corporal Dawes reporting for duty, Ma'am." Molly says saluting her superior, Captain McCall."
"At ease, Dawes." Captain McCall says, acknowledging her salute. The Captain studies Molly from behind her desk, taking in her weary eyes and the stiff set of her shoulders evident of the hard year she has faced. "We're very pleased to have you join us as an instructor here at Pirbright. You made us all proud with your achievements as one of our former recruits."
"Thank you Ma'am. I was very blessed that I was given the chance to serve my country and make something of myself. I look forward to being able to help other recruits to gain the same chance."
"Well said, Dawes. You will be in charge of 3 section. The next group of recruits will arrive in four days, so you have a few days to get settled into your new quarters. Get some rest. You look bone tired. Dismissed, Corporal."
"Thank you, Ma'am." Molly salutes and heads off to find her quarters.
She opens the heavy door to her quarters and surveys the room. A twin sized bed is pushed against the wall, a wooden desk opposite it in front of a small window that overlooks the training grounds, adorned only with a black lamp, and a standard locker are all the small space holds. Molly takes comfort in the simplicity of the room. With a small smile on her face she sets about unpacking and organizing her locker.
Once everything's in the proper order Molly decides to head over to the mess for supper. The mess hall is bustling with activity as instructors and recruits alike gather for the evening meal. Molly grabs a tray falling into line at the hot foods station. She gets a helping of spaghetti with garlic bread, a dish of steamed broccoli, and a bottle of lemonade. She makes her way to an open spot and tucks in to devour her food.
"You can slow down, Dawes. Nobody's going to take it from you." A familiar voice sounds above her as a tray is set down across from her. She looks up from her tray into the dark eyes of Matthew Geddings, her former Corporal, now a Sergeant.
"Sergeant Geddings." She rises to salute him. He returns her salute and gestures for her to take her seat as he settles in across from her.
"I've told you before, Dawes. Don't call me sir. I work for a bloody living." He says with a teasing smile as he digs into his own spaghetti. "I was happy hear you were coming back to join us an instructor. It's good to have a Military Cross recipient in our ranks." He says with a proud smile. "You did good. You showed yourself to be a proper soldier."
"Thanks. I'm glad to be here and have the chance to make a difference without getting shot at."
"Oh, there's still a chance you could get shot at. I mean we give recruits firearms and sometimes they're aim isn't the best. Best stay alert." Geddings says eyes sparking with humor.
"Thanks for the warning. I'll be sure to always be prepared to duck and cover. So how have you been?"
"I've been well. I'm really proud of the work I do here. It's important work making sure that each soldier sent out into the field is prepared for the challenges they will face ahead.
"Well you did a good job preparing me. Thank you for that. Any recruits driving you as crazy as I did?"
"Dawes you were in a league of your own. No recruit has ever matched up to you. Before or after." Geddings gives her a warm smile.
"Good to know little old me made such a lasting impression." She smiles back just as brightly.
"You better get some kip tonight Dawes. You're getting an early wakeup call in the morning." Geddings warns cryptically.
"What do you have planned in that nut of yours, Geddings?"
He just smiles mysteriously as he gathers up his flatware in his empty tray and walks off.