A New Dawn
Chapter 19
Charles didn't think that the smile had left Molly's face since they had come back from Singapore, seeing her friends Jacqui and Katie. Not only that but she had announced at the beginning of December that she thought she was pregnant.
She was and the baby was due in May, so they needed to make their plans and decide what they wanted to do before the baby or they would have to wait until after.
They went to London to tell her family first. Belinda and Nan cried at the thought of Molly being thousands of miles away and they might not get to see their next grandchild, but Dave was a star.
"She's got to follow her own dreams" he said while they were all sat at the dining table "She may never get a chance like this again"
"We know that" wailed Belinda "Don't stop me missing her though"
"We will come back to see you" Molly cried into her mother's arms "whenever we can"
"And we will come to see you if we can"
"We can write and phone and I'll make sure that we take plenty of photos for you" added Charles
"Well as it happens with most of the family already moving out of London and me brother John in Berkshire we've decided to move out too"
"Why dad, you won't be able to see the hammers if you move"
"I can still get the train back if they are playing at home" Dave shook his head "I ain't really liked being all cooped up like this since we got back Moll" he sighed "When your Uncle John got his council place in Berkshire we went to visit and its really nice out there, loads of trees and countryside but close enough to get back here if your nan needs us"
"So, when are you moving then?" asked Charles "Do you need a hand?"
"No son" he shook his head "Nothing much to take, kids have all left apart from Martin and he won't stay at home many more years."
"One thing though Moll" asked Nan "What about Roger and Edna, what will they do if you leave?"
"She'll miss you for sure Molls" said Belinda "Think she has always thought of you as family" Charles held Molly's hand he knew this was a stumbling block for her. Molly came from a large and extended family Belinda and Dave both have lots of siblings as well as six of their own children. Nan would always have someone to pop round to see her and so would Dave and Belinda with their family and friends. Molly was worried what would happen to Roger and Edna if they went.
"Well when we move out of London we won't be that far away we can always pop round and see them" smiled Belinda "Or they can come to us."
"Katie and I had this idea of setting up a medical clinic and we were wondering how we would manage with the kids and that"
"Ah! I see where you're going with this" grinned Nan "She could look after them for you"
"You make it sound like we want a built in babysitter" said Molly her eyes welling up "With Roger retiring himself and they have no family we just thought they might like to come with us"
"It wasn't just that" added Charles "We wondered with her being the daughter of a school master and having done a bit of teaching whether she could supervise their remote schooling as well, not just ours but some of the local children too."
Belinda hugged Molly "I think she would love that, always had a feeling she would have liked a big family herself, look at the way she is with 'em whenever they come over"
"What about Roger though, is that what he would want" added Dave "How's he gonna grow his roses out there" he chortled remembering a guided tour of their garden and being shown all the different tea roses none of which he had a clue about.
"What do you think Mum, should we ask them" beseeched Molly and Belinda nodded
"I think she would like that; if she don't wanna go then at least you asked."
-OG-
They were back in Aldershot on their sofa, Molly laying down with her head on Charles lap while he stroked her hair
"You know I ain't a puppy don't ya?" she laughed bringing him back from his daydream
"Sorry just thinking"
"I could say that's dangerous" as Charles started to tickle her round her ribs "But I won't" she squealed trying to make him stop. "So, what you thinking about Charlie?"
"Just that it went quite well in London, that your parents were supportive in what we are going to do" he sighed "and wondering what mine are going to say."
She sat up and wrapped her arms around his neck giving him a quick peck on the lips, "you gonna change your mind if they don't want you to go?" she said looking straight into his worried brown eyes
"No Moll, no" he said emphatically "This will be good for us and our children, John will never feel he has to join the army like I did. It's like your dad said, we need to follow our dreams."
Molly altered her position now straddling his lap so she could look at him better, "but he might not want to be a sheep farmer either when he grows up" her hands on his cheeks.
"He can be whatever he wants to be when he grows up" their eyes having their own conversation as he kissed her "They all can" his hands now on her stomach.
"Good, we have to let em when its time, just as mine have done for me" running her hands down his chest his eyes already darkening with lust and their conversation temporarily ended remembering their own love for each other.
-OG-
Edna was packing the suitcase for their stay in Bath again this Christmas. "I'm surprised we still get invites" she mused to Roger.
"I'm not, its testament to you and your tact that they are still friends after that visit where they announced Molly was pregnant."
"Well after all this time they have to admit that they genuinely care for each other and he was never going to have a merger with Rebecca's family" she sniggered "I wonder what happened to her, we must ask when we are down there"
"Edna, I really don't think that would be wise do you" he grinned as she giggled back. "But how are you really feeling Edna?" he put his arms around her kissing her forehead "With the announcements that they are going to be making?"
"I suppose I have to take a leaf out of Belinda and Nan's book" she sniffed "I don't want her to go but she has to follow her own dreams."
He put his chin on Edna's head, "I wonder what will send Peter apoplectic first, the fact he resigned his commission, he's emigrating to Australia of all places, or another baby" she could feel his chest vibrating with laughter she looked up at her husband of nearly 40 years and kissed him on the chin
"Well I suppose we will just have to pick up the pieces again" and she laughed.
-OG-
Charles had bought her a new evening dress for the customary Christmas Eve dinner with all his parents' friends. The duck egg one that she adored no longer fitted after getting back to her normal size after years of starvation. The other black one she had had altered and would be her other dress for the New Year's Eve dinner.
This time she had gone for black velvet, as she didn't show it was tight fitting and just below the knee. She didn't really like long dresses, she always felt that she was going to trip on the hem and fall over. She absolutely loved the feel of the velvet, it was off the shoulder and showed off the lovely necklace Charles had bought her.
Charles came up behind her while she was putting the finishing touches to her make up in the mirror and checking her stockings were straight. He ran his hands over her body also enjoying the feel of the velvet under his hands but enjoying the feel of the woman more as he nuzzled her neck her hair for tonight swept up into a bun.
"Come on Charlie, stop it or we will never get down to the bloody party" looking at him in his black tuxedo and bow tie, nearly ten years she had known him now and he was still every bit as handsome as when she first met him on the docks at Singapore.
Charles sighed and nibbled her ear as his hands crept around her waist to her stomach knowing she was carrying his child.
"To think you wanted me to leave you if you couldn't have kids"
"I didn't want you to but wanted you to have choices"
"I will always adore you Molly James, you will always be the first thing I want to see in the morning and he last thing I see at night" as her head flopped back onto his shoulder as he continued kissing round her neck.
"You are dead romantic you" she turned in his arms and hugged him before starting to walk to their bedroom door holding her hand out to him.
-OG-
Molly couldn't believe how many people were already here, there seemed to be even more people than usual at the James event. Much to her surprise she saw Rebecca on the other side of the room, still beautiful and her hand on some young man's arm laughing up at him with a glass of champagne in her hand. It reminded her of her friend Blanche, she didn't know why they didn't look alike, it was her mannerisms, the way she held herself and the way she giggled at the attention she was receiving from the young man with her.
Edna came up and stood with her taking a sip from her champagne
"Nothing changed I see" said Molly "she's still a trollop" and Edna spat her drink back into her glass
"What?" enquired Molly
"Well you didn't think that of Blanche"
"Nah! She had a bad start and had no choice but at least she got us medicines, a bit of food and that hooch" she giggled "Why's she doing it? Lives in a posh house, plenty of money, an education. Don't think Blanche would have picked that as a way to earn a living if she had Rebecca's start"
Edna looked across at Rebecca who had been the choice of Charles parents for him to marry, the more she thought about it, she didn't think he would have had a day's peace of mind that he could have trusted her.
-OG-
Christmas Day hadn't changed in all the years she had been here, there was still no stocking set up by the chimney and that was even now that John was here, everything was so formal and centred around their Christmas and New Year Eve parties. She could see John was bored, having to keep the noise down and at three he was struggling not to run about the house as he did at home.
He choose to sit with Edna who smiled and coo'd at him while he cuddled his koala bear which had been brought back for him by his parents when they went to Australia late August. His brown eyes looking up at her as he sucked his thumb.
Dinner had been eaten and coffee was being served in the drawing room, Charles and Molly on one sofa while Edna, Roger and John on her knee on another. His parents were in the armchairs. Charles took a large swig of his whiskey and reached out for Molly's hand and she gave him a tentative smile and squeezed his hand in encouragement.
"We have a few announcements to make" he coughed, Roger closed his eyes and wondered which would come first.
"Oh God" said Frances rolling her eyes and looking at Molly "I suppose you are pregnant again" Molly and Charles looked at each other grinning anyone would think that they were reproducing like cats the way she was reacting.
"Well yes we are Mother" Charles announced "And what's more we're very happy about it actually" he said looking at his mother with raised eyebrows. Roger and Edna looking at Peter to see when he finally turned purple as they predicted before they even got here.
"I've resigned my commission" he exhaled, waited and it wasn't long
"You've done what" bellowed a purple faced Peter "I suppose she convinced you of that" he voice going up in volume "It's family tradition to be in the army and how could you just as you are needed in Korea"
"How are you going to support yourselves a nurse won't earn much" added in Frances "you will lose your house in Aldershot now Charles"
"What a stupid thing to do if you have another baby on the way" she wailed
"This is going well" Molly whispered to him gripping his hand. Charles had enough of his parent's attitude, what made them think this was an accident, that if Molly was willing he would have a rugby team of children with her. He loved her so much and she was his world. He had followed a path mapped out for him by his parents although he never liked or wanted to be in the army but had done his duty in the last war, he thought this one was more about the American's not liking communism. He wanted to see his children grow up and not be away from them for years or have them in boarding schools like he was.
"Before you interrupt again" his voice stern and eyes narrowed "We have applied for assisted passage to Australia, we leave in February"
"WHAT?" yelled Peter his anger intensifying "What the hell are you going to do out there"
"Be sheep farmers"
"What do you know about sheep" he asked as he looked to Roger "Your family were sheep farmers in Worcester weren't they… Have you encouraged this?"
"No" said Roger calmly although he didn't know how he was this calm he hadn't felt this angry in a long time, what made them think he had any input to Charles and Molly's decision "It's their decision"
"A bloody stupid one if you ask me" continued Peter "Where are you getting the money from"
"My inheritance from my grandfather"
"You have no right to use it for that" said Peter still purple with rage
"I hadn't realised that there were caveats to it, just that is was mine when I reached 30" said Charles in a calm voice that belied his own rising temper.
"Well you can't go" said Frances "Who will take over this house and look after us when we are old" Oh dear thought Edna that might not have been a good thing to have said with Molly being here, that's one thing she had learnt from Molly and her family, they looked after each other because they wanted to not because they had to.
"Do you honestly think that my wife will live here to look after you if you become infirm after the way you have treated her?" Charles looked at his mother with hard narrow eyes a look that could have struck terror into any private on the parade ground "You have virtually ignored her the past five years"
Edna ever the peace maker and seeing that John looked upset by the shouting "Why don't we all sleep on it for tonight, calm down and talk about it again in the morning, I think it's time for John to go to bed"
"There is nothing to talk about Edna" shouted Peter "He's not using his grandfather's money to buy a desert in Australia and that's the end of it. His place is here"
"It's not a desert Peter" interjected Roger "But Edna is right, it's getting late and tempers are high; it's upsetting the child. Let's sleep on it for tonight" Rising from his chair and extending his hand to Edna who also got up.
Molly couldn't wait to get out the room, she stood up looking at Charles who was clearly going to be stubborn and quite prepared to carry on the argument. She held out her hand, he looked at it noting the wedding and eternity ring before looking up into her face, her eyes awash with tears and her lip quivering. He knew he needed to be with her and not continue this conversation with his father. He took John from Edna and held Molly's hand as they left the room.
-OG-
"Will the water still be hot?" she asked when they got to their room, tucking John into his cot already asleep and cuddling his bear.
"Bit late for a bloody bath isn't it?" he answered still taut with the anger he felt.
"Yeah probably, but we will never sleep all wound up like this" and she moved into the bathroom to fill the bath with warm water and some wonderfully smelling bath salts. She was right he was wound up as tight as a coil. If he was on duty, and although not required to run the exercise, he would've had those National Service privates running miles while he calmed down, but for now contented himself pacing up and down their room.
Molly had already undressed and put on her robe, she pulled him into the bathroom to undress him locking the door behind her. He watched while she undid the buttons on his shirt and her small hands travelled up his chest to his shoulders as she pushed the shirt down his arms. He could feel the tension leaving him as soon as she pulled him back onto her chest and massaged his shoulders kissing him round his neck and nibbling his ear. The anger leaving him, it wasn't her fault, they had decided this together and he absolutely shouldn't be taking it out on her. She hadn't said a word about his parents and that they expected her to look after them in the future, thing is she probably would have, that's why he loved her she was kind and compassionate and if that is what he wanted she would. Not one word about being pleased about him becoming a father again. All they had gone on about was that they needed to get John's name down for Eton or he would miss out on his chances and what a stupid idea it was to emigrate
"We've made the right decision" he said sadly as she continued to stroke his chest with the sponge, letting the warm water calm him.
"We can always invite them out once we are settled Charlie" and he turned his head to look at her
"Really?"
"You're an only child Charlie, they are bound to be protective of you" she whispered near to his mouth "Maybe when they see what it's like out there they might come round" and kissed him; a light and delicate kiss that made him shiver as his eyes darkened with desire.
"You have more faith than me" his hands rubbing her legs that had wrapped themselves around him.
"Good idea by the way, having a bath" he giggled "I love you Molly James"
"I know you do and I love you an all" she grinned back at him wrapping her arms around him.
-OG-
Boxing day was no better tensions were still high, Charles was certainly being stubborn and not about to change their plans based on his parents unrelenting attitude that he was making a mistake and throwing a perfectly good career away on a whim.
They made the decision that they would go home to Aldershot the following morning and not stay any longer, why ruin everyone's Christmas and New Year.
"Edna?" said Molly
"Yes?"
"We are going home first thing tomorrow, Charlie don't want to stay after the fall out" she hugged her "but we will see you when you get back."
"We will do what we can; see if we can show them that this is a wonderful opportunity for you both."
"That's up to them ain't it" she sighed "You know that we are expecting you and Roger to come out and see us before the baby don't you?" and Edna held her to cover up her tears
"If you liked it out there Edna" and she cupped Edna's cheeks "You could stay forever. Katie and I thought you might like it out there too" she said "When you come out see what you and Roger think, if you want to live there too" she was getting animated "Roger could grow his roses and maybe you could teach the kids like you did in the camp" Edna's eyes were glistening that this beautiful girl was prepared to include her in her life.
"You won't forget will you, you will come won't you?" she pleaded "before the baby"
"I think you can count on it"
-OG-
It was January 1951 and Major Charles James handed over all his army uniforms and equipment along with the keys to their house in Aldershot and walked out through the gates for the last time. He took one final look and remembered some of the men he had served with and Captain Johnathan Harte popped into his head. The laughs they had had during their Sandhurst days and visits to the local hostelries in Camberley, to think that he was only 26 when he died. Charles sighed determined that he and Molly would take every opportunity that came their way and live life to the full. He had no regrets about leaving the army.
He got into his car and drove away to Roger and Edna's without looking back. They were staying with them until their ship left for Australia in a little over a week.
-OG-
Roger and Edna drove them to Southampton with their luggage. Their few belongings went down in a van a few weeks back and onto a cargo ship, by the time they arrived would be ready and waiting for them in their new home.
Dave, Belinda and Nan were already on the quayside to wave them off, Belinda and Nan with their hankies at the ready to say goodbye to the eldest daughter and granddaughter and her son. Belinda hugged Edna as soon as she saw her, both of them trying to hold onto their tears and not make this any more difficult for Molly.
John was being passed around the adults all wanting to have that last hug and kiss him goodbye. He gave all of them one of his huge broad smiles not realising that he wouldn't see them again for some time. Charles shook hands with both Dave and Roger and promised Dave that he would always look after Molly
"I know that son" beamed Dave patting him on the back "You already have been"
"Don't forget Edna" whispered Molly her voice hitching "Come before the baby, you'll be there in April won't you?"
"Yes dear, nothing will stop me" Edna nodded
The women continued to hug each other and were getting a little tearful as the time for them to leave approached, the horns from the ship calling them aboard deafening. With a final hug for Charles from Belinda and Nan he held his son on his hip and placed his hand on the small of Molly's back and led her up the gang way, onto the ship.
The small group on the dock were looking up at the decks to see if they could see them before finding Molly holding John with Charles next to her his hand on her shoulder all of them grinning broadly and waving frantically. Edna and Belinda linking arms, waving enthusiastically with their other hands both of them giving support to each other to smile and not cry as they watched the ship slowly move out of the harbour taking a piece of their hearts with it.
-OG-
One of the stopovers on this trip was in Keppel Harbour, Singapore and they were going to meet up with Jacqui and Brian. They were looking forward to it as this would be the first time that Sophie and John will have met.
Brian was on the quayside waiting for them to disembark his arms waving above his head to get their attention.
"I've got the car outside and Jacqui is back at the house, she can't wait to see you"
They sat on the veranda with cold drinks while the two children played on the floor both of them laid back and easy going, showing each other their toys passing them back and forth as they told the names of each of their teddies or dolls and what their favourite was.
"Not sure I will be able to come over for the birth this time Moll" said Jacqui and Brian was grinning like a Cheshire cat "You might have to make do with just Edna"
Molly frowned wondering what was going on when she noticed that Jacqui was stroking her tummy and squealed with joy
"You're pregnant too" and Jacqui nodded "Yeah, not as far gone as you and Katie, mines not due to July" and both girls laughed clinking their lemonade glasses.
"We must stop making a habit of this, space 'em out a bit more so I can help you and you can help me" both women cackled with laughter. "Well I will have to make do with Dr Mason, her bedside manner is a lot more laid back now than when we were at the Alexandra"
"We do have some other news though" smiled Brian "Obviously I did the plans for your house which obviously has now been built. We'd love to see it now it's finished if it's what you both dreamed it would be."
"I'm sure it is Brian" smiled Charles "You and Alex certainly sent plenty of updates"
"Talking of Alex, we've had an invitation to stay with Alex and Katie, so are joining you on the last leg of the trip to Australia" said a jubilant Jacqui "We can take Sophie with us and all the kids get to meet up this time."
Molly hugged her oldest and dearest friend "Oh Jacs I'm so pleased, I can't wait to get there and get settled in. All me best mates in one place for a change."
-OG-
Katie and Alex were waiting for them at the harbour as they disembarked with all their luggage. For the final part of their journey. They travelled by taxis to a small airfield to catch a light aircraft. From there they were met by a driver who took them all the last 100 miles to their new home. All the luggage following in a truck behind.
"We should probably blindfold you and have a big reveal" laughed Alex
They pulled up outside their new home, it looked huge as it was all on one level, the big wide veranda that Molly had wanted went all the way round the outside giving shade to the house but without cutting out the light.
"Ain't it beautiful" grinned Molly holding onto Charles arm tightly
"Yes, sweetheart it is, almost as beautiful as you" he smiled as he patted Brian on the back.
"Come on you gotta look inside" said Katie pulling on Molly's arm
There were the five bedrooms she wanted so if her family came out they had somewhere to stay. Two of the rooms had their own bathrooms so one of them would always remain for guests. The kitchen was open planned and went through into the dining room so she could carry on talking while people were at the table. Big double glass doors opened leading into the living room which was beautiful and made Molly a little tearful and she hugged Charles arm tighter. Again, it was bigger than she ever expected with armchairs, a couple of very comfortable looking sofas, rugs on the parquet flooring and table lamps giving it a really cosy feel. Charles had his office that he wanted and there was also a playroom for the kids. It was everything that Molly and Charles could've dreamed of.
Molly hugged both Katie and Jacqui it was them sending pictures to her and then getting the furniture that had this already looking like a home, they just needed to get bedrooms kitted out along with all the bits and pieces you needed in a kitchen.
"Come stay with us for a couple of days Molls" Katie beamed at her "We could leave the blokes with the kids, I could fly us to Melbourne and we can shop for all the rest of the stuff you need."
"Oh yes" said Jacqui "I could do with a few bits while we are over here."
"Don't get too much Jacs" admonished Brian "Don't forget we are flying home and there is a luggage allowance"
"So, what do you think, us girls go shopping" and Molly grinned across to Charles.
"I think I can manage our son for a day" he grinned and kissed her forehead
"It will be all the kids Charlie" laughed Katie.
"I don't see how it is going to be a problem, three grown men looking after three little people" laughed Alex "I was an army Major so was Charlie"
"We'll see" retorted Katie earning sniggers from Jacqui and Molly
-OG-
The women got up early the following morning and Katie flew them to Melbourne. It was a lovely city being a harbour city it was really cosmopolitan.
They looked for the big things first like wardrobes using a beautiful stained teak wood and beds, making sure that it could accommodate Charles height. Molly was really impressed that even living out in the sticks the store would deliver within the next couple of days. She also found what she thought was a beautiful old fashioned desk for Charles office in a dark mahogany beautifully polished. It was a bit on the large side but she knew he would love it.
Then there was the shopping for towels, sheets, blankets and all the crockery, glasses and cutlery that she would ever need.
They had lunch in a little street café loaded with parcels, all the breakables were already packed by the store and being taken to the airport to load onto Katie's plane.
"So are Edna and Roger going to come out?"
"Yes, they will be here beginning of April"
"Do you think they will stay, join us out here?"
"Don't know Katie" said Molly sadly "Hope so, Edna was always good to us in the camp and we got really close"
"I think she thinks of all us as family too" nodded Jacqui "I think she'll want to stay out here, she just might have to convince Roger that's all."
"Do you think he will take much convincing?"
"Now that he has retired from the army, I think he is at a bit of a loose end on how to keep occupied or that's what Charlie says" said Molly with hope "So I don't think he will take much convincing especially if he can find things to do."
"He can ride perhaps he could go out with them on the round ups" added Katie
"So how are you coping with the pregnancy Molly, all the travelling?"
"All good Katie" she smiled "Feel fit to burst and still have about 6 weeks to go but really excited about it all" she patted her friend's hand "What about you?"
"All good too, cut back on the clinics now as I was getting tired but still do a day a week"
"What are you going to do if you go into labour on the same day" laughed Jacqui
"Well I think I know two blokes who are going to panic" and the three of them laughed
-OG-
After a day travelling and shopping they were pleased to get home only to find their three grown men fast asleep with their respective children asleep on their chests.
"Looks like they managed" sniggered Molly while picking up John, Jacqui and Katie quietly giggling as they took their children to bed too.