A New Dawn
Chapter 3
Charles arrived promptly at their bungalow on Friday, the door being answered by Jacqui as Molly was putting the finishing touches to her makeup and walked through into their living room.
Both of them had wide smiles as soon as they saw each other and Jacqui had the distinct feeling that their feelings for each other were escalating even though they had not known each other that long.
He drove them to Thian Hock Keng Buddhist temple. He couldn't take his eyes off her as her mouth opened at the spectacle in front of her.
"It means Palace of Heavenly Happiness"
"What?"
"The name of this temple means Palace of Heavenly Happiness and was built for a sea goddess"
"It's beautiful" and she started walking towards it. The roof was painted red and decorated with gold dragons the sides decorated with coloured tiles with peacocks, roses and symbols of good luck.
She watched while Chinese Buddhists came in and collect incense sticks which they then lit and put in big urns of sand.
"What they doing Charlie" she whispered to him
"Praying for peace, protection and good health"
"Can we do it?"
"If you want to" and went to collect incense sticks for her. He watched her while she stood at the alter and copied what she had seen. She lit the sticks from the candle and put them in the urn with the rest. She stayed there for a few minutes and started to move back and he held out his hand to help again feeling that electricity between them.
"Did you pray for something?"
"Course I did, that my Mum and everyone is safe in London and that a bomb don't hit the house" her eyes filled with tears as although she loved being out here and all the new sights and sounds she missed her mum, dad, Nan and siblings and hoped they were all right and safe.
He couldn't help it she looked so small and vulnerable, her green eyes glistening with unshed tears so he pulled her to him and hugged her, she wrapped her arms around his waist in return and inhaled his scent. She wasn't sure if it is what she had been thinking when she lit the incense sticks, this temple, or the way his arms enveloped her but she felt this overwhelming calm and a feeling of being safe with him.
They left the temple and wandered round the courtyard when all of a sudden a tropical storm started and the rain came down in sheets soaking them in seconds. He grabbed her hand to pull her to some shelter under a tree.
"These storms never last long but they are torrential while they're going on" he laughed pulling her close under the tree to stop her getting any wetter than she already was. Looking down and straight into her green eyes an expectant look on her face
"Oh, Charlie we look like drowned rats" she laughed looking at his hair plastered to his scalp and moved closer to his body. He lowered his head to kiss her intending a quick peck on the lips but both felt that draw and they kissed passionately under the tree, lost in a bubble of time and not noticing the heavy waterfalls of rain pouring down on them.
They pulled apart aware they were in a public place both shocked at the depth of feeling they felt at the kiss, and with a little more colour in their cheeks but both wearing big happy grins.
The rain was already starting to ease. "Shall we get the car and go for lunch" he asked hopeful
"What like this, we're soaked"
"That's the beauty of this country Molly, we'll be dry again in about 10 minutes"
"Does it rain like this often?"
"In the rainy season yes but thankfully we are just coming out of that" he offered his arm which she gratefully took as they walked back to his car ready for lunch, neither feeling ready to mention what had just passed between them.
He drove them to Raffles and ordered sandwiches and tea. Molly couldn't help but snigger
"What's so funny?"
"Where have all the crusts gone, that's the best bit" he snorted a laugh and shook his head
Just then the band started up in the corner and some people starting to get up to dance. Molly's eyes grew wide she had never seen people like this dancing in the middle of the afternoon, well not in East London they were usually at work.
"They frequently have tea dances in the afternoons" he said "not that I usually have time to come to them myself or anyone to come with, but I believe they are very popular"
Molly couldn't help but keep looking at all the people drinking their tea and getting up to dance. She spotted one of the Australian nurses from the hospital dancing with a man in uniform. Her name was Katie her and Jacqui knew her quite well as not only did they work in the same hospital but she and another nurse Lauren were in the bungalow next door. Katie saw her and waved so she waved back and Charles turned to see who she was waving at.
"One of the Aussie nurses" she said smiling "it's her first trip out here too, lives in the bungalow next door"
"Would you like to dance Molly?"
"I don't know how not like that" watching the men and women waltzing round the room
"I could teach you" his soft brown eyes stared at her smiling "We could start with the Waltz"
"Jacqui and me went once to the picture house and watched Top Hat with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers" she grinned at him "Will you teach me to dance like that"
He threw his head back and laughed "Let's start with the basics shall we a Waltz or a Fox Trot"
He held out his hand and led her onto the dance floor. He was very patient and showed her the steps and they spent most of the afternoon dancing. She loved every minute of it and her smile never left her face.
"Molly" she heard the Australian nurse Katie call her and her and Charles broke their dancing lesson and walked to her table.
"I hadn't realised that you would be here" she gushed "I'm glad I've seen you I want to ask a bit of a favour"
"Hello Katie" replied Molly "This is my friend Charles" he raised his eyebrow at her. She'd been calling him Charlie ever since she met him and now out the blue she called him Charles. The man she was sitting with stood and was tall like Charles and offered his hand to shake hands both in uniform and they both noted they were the same rank although different armies.
"Please join us" he said also with a strong Australian accent so Molly and Charles sat at in the spare chairs.
"Alex Hodgson, Captain and first wave of the 8th Division Infantry" he said still looking at Charles
"Charles James, Captain Manchester Regiment Infantry" he replied smiling
"Strewth mate small world both infantry" laughed Alex "looks like the girls already know each other"
"Molly" asked Katie "I'm after a bit of a favour" she smiled "Alex is being sent up country to Malaya, he has a few days leave before he goes"
"You want me to cover your shifts don't ya" laughed Molly
"Well yeah but there is something else" her cheeks flushed and she held Alex hand "We got engaged before I came out here, what with the war and being sent overseas we never got around to tying the knot"
"What my fiancée is trying to say is that we need a couple of witnesses not to mention a couple of guests as we can't have the family here" Molly's eyes were wide and she smiled broadly
"Will you, Jacqui and if her husband can get a pass please come" she looked across to Charles "And we would like you to be our guest too"
"And witness" piped in Alex
"Well when did you have in mind, Jacqui would love to but I'll have to ask her about Brian" and she looked across at Charles.
"Day after tomorrow" said Alex "Our Padre is going to do it in the old Armenian Church and then Raffles for the wedding Breakfast" he looked at Katie "Although there will only be the 6 of us if you can get Brian and Captain James to come"
"So, can you come?" pleaded Katie "and can you cover my shifts for a couple of days after?"
Molly hugged her "I'd love to, I'm so 'appy for you" and she looked across at Charles who hadn't really said much. Charles was looking at Alex and he nodded
"Yes, I can come although isn't there someone you would rather invite"
Alex leaned forward towards Charles "My mates are in Melbourne, lucky devils and I've only just arrived and don't know anyone here yet" he started "and I think we both know that things are changing we don't have time to wait out" he whispered and Charles nodded.
This man clearly thought the same as him that maybe this wasn't such a fortress and there were rumours that the Japanese were starting to advance.
They made a striking couple he was tall like Charles, with brown hair and eyes and the tanned look of someone who liked the outdoor life. She was slim with black hair and striking blue eyes and maybe only a little bit taller than Molly.
"Look there is a dinner dance at Raffles tomorrow why don't we all meet here, get to know each other before we are your witness' and at least celebrate the event" suggested Charles.
They agreed that they would meet tomorrow at 7pm for the dinner dance and Molly would see if Jacqui could get Brian to come as well, she knew Jacqui was on the right shift.
"What about Lauren" asked Molly
"She knows but she is working so can't come and as you and Jacqui live next door and we get along I thought you wouldn't mind being my sort of bridesmaids"
The group of four carried on talking Molly and Katie talking of funny stories from the hospital and Charles and Alex of the men serving under them and the pickles they seemed to manage to get into.
Charles drove Molly back to her bungalow "You didn't mind did you Charlie?"
"Mind what?" It seemed he was back to being Charlie again and he couldn't help but smirk and shake his head
"Katie and Alex and having to come to the wedding with me"
"Of course, not" he said "they are a lovely couple, I enjoyed their company" and he smiled while saying "and I get to spend more time with you too". Molly grinned and blushed.
They were now parked outside the bungalow and Molly could see the lights on as Jacqui was at home.
"Do you think that Brian would be able to come?"
"Don't see why his CO shouldn't give him an overnight pass for tomorrow and then the wedding" he shrugged and Molly's face lit up
"Jacqui will be pleased"
"Look Molly, he is not in my chain of command" he looked into her eyes "I just said I don't see why his CO shouldn't let him have an overnight pass" he grinned
"Well I'd better get in quick and tell her to contact him and sort it" and she gave him a quick peck on the cheek before opening the passenger door herself and jumping out and running to her front door in her excitement.
"I'll pick you all up at 6.30 tomorrow Molly" he shouted after her as she ran to her front door to tell Jacqui all about it. He couldn't help but smile he could still feel the warmth of her lips on his cheek, he loved this girl. His smile dropped from his face, he couldn't do, he barely knew her.