A New Dawn
Chapter 4
Jacqui was delighted at Molly's news about their next door neighbours. Like her she had always got on with Lauren and Katie. They always seemed to have the same sense of humour and there were no sides to them. Never made them feel cheap or beneath them.
"Come with me Molls" she said "To the telegraph office. We can phone Brian and see if he can come too"
-OG-
Charles in the meantime was driving back to barracks out in Woodlands. He was in a different barracks and regiment from Wiggerty but he did know his Captain, they all socialised in Raffles. He wasn't one for calling in favours but he thought he would look him up in the officers' mess.
Funnily enough he was sitting with Lt Colonel Beck, small world, as he went to join them "anyone for a top up" he asked as he beckoned to one of the stewards and ordering a round of whiskeys.
"Well Charles, I think you know Johnathan Harte don't you"
"Yes Sir, we were both at Sandhurst" and he shook his hand smiling at meeting up with one of his old friends
"Well looks like more troops are on their way from Australia should be here in a few weeks" said Beck "Looks like we might actually get more equipment now that the Yanks have agreed to a Lease Lend agreement"
"Won't that all be used for the war in Europe Sir" asked Johnathan
"Possibly, but now the Japanese have moved into French Indochina we have to acknowledge they might keep coming down into British Territories"
"So, war is coming here then"
"Probably, who knows" Beck shrugged his shoulders "But we all know if it does we can't defend Singapore if the attack comes across land all defences are based on a sea attack"
"Would they really come all that way across from French Indochina, through Thailand and into Malaya, through dense jungle? Surely the attack will come by sea" stated Johnathan "What do you think Charles?"
"Well not sure I believe everything coming from London that they're not well trained and ill equipped, and there were dreadful stories coming out of China…." He hesitated
"Well London is certainly keeping an eye so hopefully we will get more resources here" said Beck looking at his watch "Best I get off home to the wife or she will be wondering where I've got to" he laughed and leaving Charles and Johnathan together
"So, John how have you been haven't seen you in a while" as Johnathan raised his arm to call the steward and they set up another round of whiskey. They had known each other since their Sandhurst days and Charles had been best man at his wedding.
"Took some of the platoon up country so at least they can start to get used to the jungle and this bloody heat"
"Would a Corporal Wiggerty have been in that group?"
"Yes Charles, why?"
"Well seems his wife and her friend have been invited to a wedding, funnily enough on Sunday and I think they are hoping he gets a weekend pass, starting tomorrow returning Monday" he smiled
"Well, well Charles" he laughed "Do I take it that you have taken a bit of a shine to the friend?"
Charles grinned and flushed a little "Molly is the nurse that looked after me when I had that fever a few weeks ago and yes we have stepped out a couple of times since" he looked down swirling his whiskey and not noticing the grin spreading across his friends face "She's different, never met anyone quite like her, most amazing eyes"
"OK Charles, we don't have a lot on at the moment so if he asks for the pass I'll sign it off" Johnathan laughed "Do I take it you will be escorting this young lady to the wedding yourself"
A broad grin spread across his face as he nodded "As well as the dinner and dance at Raffles tomorrow"
"Splendid, that will give Georgina and I an opportunity to meet this girl that seems to have you smitten" and raised his whiskey glass to Charles "we will also be at the dance tomorrow"
-O-
Brian had put in for a weekend pass which had been signed by their Captain Harte, he was now seated on the sofa at the Bungalow listening to an excited Jacqui telling him all about Captain James and Molly and the wedding of their friend Katie to another Captain called Alex Hodgson
"Look Jacs do you think we will fit in with that lot, you know I'm only a Corporal"
"The Aussies aren't like that they don't seem bothered by class and you said yourself that Captain James was a good bloke, fair and didn't seem to throw his weight about"
"But what am I going to call the Captains, you know, will I have to keep calling them Sir all night, chain of command and all that"
"Well we can get Molly to ask him can't we see if he's happy being called Charles" Brian sniggered
"Is that his name, Charles?
"What you sniggering for your brother is called Charles"
"No one calls him that it's always been Charlie or Chaz" Jacqui rolled her eyes at him "His names still Charles though ain't it?"
"Anyway, you can take me and Molly down to Little India"
"What's that?"
"It's a market where we can hire you a tuxedo and we can get an evening dress"
"Bloody hell Jacs what you got me involved with" he snorted a laugh "I ain't ever worn a tie in me life let alone a whistle"
-OG-
Brian did give in gracefully and took the girls to the godowns that Charles had warned about and it was a rabbit warren of side alleys off the main road. The main street did seem to have a number of Europeans wandering around buying ornaments, furniture and clothes.
"I can see why Captain James didn't want you girls down here" stated Brian sniffing the air as they walked close to one of the narrow alley ways, "I don't think this is just bad plumbing"
"What is it Brian" asked Molly
"Don't you recognise it back streets of Limehouse" both girls looked at each other and then nodded
"It ain't just brothels is it, they're smoking Opium ain't they?" said Jacqui and Brian linked arms with both girls and moved them closer to the main street. They may have all come from one of the poorest areas in London close to the docks where ships came in from all over the world with spices, sugars and silks but it also brought drugs and they knew what that meant.
They got Brian his black trousers, white shirt and jacket along with the black bow tie, not that any of them was sure how to tie it, but he did look smart. The girls were absolutely delighted with the long dresses they bought. They decided they would buy rather than rent as they hoped they would have the opportunity to go to another dinner dance and wear them again.
-OG-
Charles knocked on the door promptly at 6.30 and both girls were ready and Molly led him into their living room. As far as Molly was concerned he looked absolutely stunning in his white Tuxedo and black bow tie all perfectly done along with his curly hair slicked down. Brian was just coming out of the bathroom
"Jacs I can't get this bloody tie done" and spotted Captain James standing in their living room smiling "Sorry Sir"
"Look Wiggerty" he started "I know this should be awkward but we are not in uniform tonight and it is a social event to celebrate the up and coming wedding of your neighbours, so for tonight my name is Charles" he grinned "But when in uniform I expect Captain James or Sir"
"Thanks Sir, I mean Charles" grinned Brian
"Now would you like me to show you how to tie a bow tie" and they went off to the long mirror in the hall so he could show him how to do a bow tie.
They all piled into Charles car and within minutes were outside Raffles and being led to their table by the maître d.
"Ain't it lovely Moll?" whispered Jacqui and Molly just nodded in response looking round at all the dark wood panelling, all beautifully polished along with the parquet flooring and the ceiling fans moving back and forth trying to cool the air. All the waiters pristine in their white suits with gold coloured buttons and white gloves. They were seated at a table for 6 and waited for both Katie and Captain Hodgson.
Charles was looking around the room while they waited on the waiter coming for their drinks order and spotted his friend Johnathan with his wife Georgina sitting with Lt Colonel Beck and his wife of all people.
Katie and Alex duly arrived and sat with them "You Poms don't like the Aussies do you" said Alex laughing
"What makes you think that" replied Charles
"Thought they were going to turn us away seems the Poms like to stick with their own, they're not used to our brash Aussie humour"
"Some not all" returned Charles "Some of us acknowledge things are changing" and smiled at Alex
"You haven't met Jacqui and Brian yet have you" he continued introducing both of them to Alex knowing that they already knew Katie.
"Nice to meet you Sir" said Brian and Alex laughed out loud
"I'm not in uniform here Brian, no pack drill from me tonight" Brian was immediately put at ease that he was in the company of two Captains and therefore his superior officers but they were making him welcome, neither expecting him to salute or call them Sir. Maybe tonight wouldn't be as bad as he had been anticipating.
"So, ladies" laughed Alex "You ready to try the house speciality a Gin Sling" and all three women nodded enthusiastically. Drinks duly ordered along with food the evening started.
They all ate, drank, chatted and laughed while the band played quietly in the background. The tables were cleared and coffee served and they looked as couples started getting up on to the dance floor. Charles spotted Johnathan and Georgina get up and dance
"Molly would you like to dance" he asked, her face lit up as he offered his hand and led her to the dance floor
They danced to the dances he had taught her at the tea house gliding around the dance floor in their happy bubble
"Can you teach me the Ginger Rogers ones now" she grinned up at him and he looked down at her bright and happy green eyes
"Not sure you are ready for those yet" and laughed when she pouted
"Why not, I thought I was getting quite good at these steps"
"Two reasons Molly" he laughed "One you have had two Gin Slings"
"It's only fruit juice, and it was really nice all that tropical fruit, don't think I've ever had pineapple before"
"It's not just fruit juice Molly, there is a heck of a lot of alcohol in there"
"Is there I didn't notice" she smiled up at him
"Secondly" he laughed "You have stood on my foot at least 4 times"
"I haven't "she laughed "Well they shouldn't be so bleedin' big then. Why didn't you say nothing?"
"Well I'm a gentleman and we don't say if a lady has stood on our foot"
"Yeah you are, a really nice gent" she said with one of her huge smiles on her face. He had an urge at this moment to kiss her but knew he couldn't as this was such a public place and they were at Raffles after all.
"Charles" he heard his name and the moment was broken, he looked around to see his friend Johnathan Harte sat at a table with his wife. He guided Molly across to introduce them.
Johnathan stood to shake hands with Molly and welcome them both to his table.
They sat using the spare chairs as Beck and his wife were on the dance floor.
"It's lovely in here ain't it" said Molly to Georgina and she raised her eyebrows and looked at her husband
"Yes, but I think that they have been lowering their standards somewhat recently, it's not the place it used to be" she said. Molly's smile dropped a bit and Charles noticed and felt a flash of anger rising at Georgina's uncalled for remark
"You're from London I think" she asked with saccharine sweetness
"Yeah" replied Molly "How could you tell" Molly knew instantly she was one of those toffs that no matter what would always look down on someone like her. She knew she didn't always make a good first impression, but thought in her posh frock she might have done this time.
"I see Wiggerty is enjoying himself" said Johnathan looking across to see Jacqui, Brian, Katie and Alex all laughing at something someone had obviously said. Charles looked across at them and could see the relaxed atmosphere of the group, how they just enjoyed each other's company regardless of background and suddenly felt tense sitting at this table.
"Well it was nice to see you both but we had better be getting back, after all it is supposed to be a celebration before tomorrow's main event" he said with a stern face "Molly" and put out his hand to help her up from her chair
"Well it was nice to meet friends of Charles and hope to see you again" said Molly politely and they walked away
"Molly"
"Yeah"
"Why when we are on our own do you call me Charlie and when in company you call me Charles?"
She grinned another of her wide happy smiles
"To me you are Charlie, you suit it" she said "But I ain't silly I know you don't really like it so when people are about I call you Charles like you want" he shook his head and smiled at her
"You don't really mind do you" her eyes shining with mischief
"No, I don't mind" he said his brown eyes looking into hers and he felt a pull, a draw to her like no other. "In fact, I actually quite like it from you", he shyly admitted.
The evening was drawing to a close and they finalised arrangements for the following day. Jacqui and Molly would be with Katie and help her get ready while Brian and Charles would be with Alex as his seconds. They would all meet at the Armenian Church at 11.30 for the service.