Apologies for any typos - I've been writing this on my phone whilst on holiday.

For those who know the Sliding Doors story and without giving too much away to those who don't, how true do you think I should be to the 'catches the train' ending? I'm torn...

Molly is breaking

Molly misses the train

Molly is having a short break and a quick snack at the restaurant having finished the Sunday lunchtime shift. She's worked all weekend whilst Dylan is away on his research trip to Dorset.

Initially, she was pretty disappointed that she couldn't go away with him but now she is quite glad to have had some time apart to get her head around being pregnant. She confirmed it with the help of multiple tests and after the initial shock is actually feeling pretty excited. Admittedly the circumstances are far from perfect, but she's not getting any younger and she has always wanted a family. She's not told Dylan yet, but will do soon.

Although things are still strained between them at times, she's got the definite impression he's trying to be more attentive. He made a big show of not wanting to go on his research trip and she had to practically push him out of the door in the end.

All relationships go through rocky periods and she knows she hasn't been in a particularly good place in recent months due to the stress of her old PR firm job. With hindsight, she probably hasn't been the easiest person to live with, especially as Dylan's been trying to write his book. Getting fired wasn't actually such a bad thing as she's much better out of that toxic environment. Admittedly, although making sandwiches and working in a restaurant aren't exactly what she saw herself doing six months ago, she is happier and Qaseem and Elvis are both good bosses.

She finds it physically exhausting being on her feet all day, but given her condition that's not surprising. It also highlights just how privileged her life has become that she can't cope with a bit of hard manual graft. She totally has to get a grip of herself and be grateful for what she has.

She's still convinced that another PR job will come up, she just needs to keep looking and remain positive.

She also needs to put these lustful thoughts for Charles James out of her nut. She's pregnant with Dylan's child so it is completely wrong. It's probably just her hormones running wild anyway.

She's pretty certain that once Dylan gets over the shock, he will be excited about the baby. He has talked about wanting a family in the past; talked about doing things differently to how he was brought up, his mum doing it all on her own after his father left during her pregnancy. She smiles and thinks about how his mum, Candy, is going to be shittin' ecstatic. She's made no secret of her desire for grandchildren and since Dylan's twin brother Geraint died a few years ago, it's all on him. Shit, Dylan is a twin. Shit. Does that mean she might be having twins?

She hasn't spoken to Dylan since he's been gone, so decides to give him a quick call. Not to tell him, but just to have a chat.

She dials his number and waits for him to answer. When he eventually does, he sounds breathless, "Molly, why are you calling? What's up?"

She's quite taken aback by his greeting, "Why does somethin' need to be up for me to call?"

He's blustering and sounds distracted, "No, you're right. I'm sorry... How are you?"

She knows she sounds a bit sulky, but can't help it, "Alright, I suppose."

There is a long pause as though he's struggling to think what to say, "So, what have you been up to?"

She thinks that is a pretty fucking stupid question and can't hide the irritation in her voice, "Er, workin'. You know that. That's why I couldn't come with you"

He sounds sorry, "Yes, of course."

She feels like a bit of a bitch for being so spiky and tries to be more pleasant, "So, what have you been up to? Please tell me somethin' excitin'?"

"Well, you know. Not much."

She's back to irritated again, "I thought it was a bleedin' research trip? Hopefully you've been doin' some bleedin' research?"

"Well yes, of course I have. Actually, Molly I'm sorry but I'm kind of in the middle of ... some research right now, so I'm going to have to go. See you Monday evening."

"Oh, ok." He obviously can't wait to get off the phone to her and hangs up. She is left saying "bye" to a dead line.

Well, she thinks, with all of her earlier positivity thoroughly disappeared, that has to have been one of the worst, most strained conversations she has had with him in a long time. He sounded completely distracted throughout and as though he was just going through the motions with his stupid, unthinking questions.

She's now less sure how he will take the baby news. What if he decides he doesn't want a baby with her after all?

-OG-

The restaurant has been really busy since opening night and has gained a great reputation in a short space of time. Her shifts are full-on and normally fly by but tonight she's in a bad mood after the call with Dylan and the evening feels like it has gone on forever. Whilst she's managed to maintain a professional front with her colleagues and the customers, inside she's been struggling with her emotions.

"Shittin' 'ell" she mutters as she clocks who has just come into the restaurant, looking perfect and so ridiculously bleedin' handsome.

She feels her earlier resolve slipping as he comes up to her, looks at her with his beautiful brown eyes and gives her a shy smile.

She can't help playing with him and says in her best front of house voice, "Evening Sir, do you have a reservation."

He seems thrown by her formality, and a frown crosses his face, "Erm..."

"Are you dinin' alone this evenin' or are you meetin' someone?"

He looks like he's trying to form a response but without much success, "Er..."

She holds her formality for a few more seconds but can't bear the frown anymore and breaks into a broad smile, "Sorry, that wasn't very funny. It's nice to see you Charles."

He looks massively relieved and his smile returns, "I was in the area and thought I'd pop in and see... erm... Elvis... and see how things are going."

She's pretty sure that is bullshit and she feels a flutter of excitement that he has maybe come to see her. She plays it casual, "Oh, Elvis aint here tonight. I'm in charge."

He's looking at her intently, "Right... in that case, maybe I will sit at the bar for a while."

She is aware that there is a whole separate conversation going on with his eyes. He IS flirting with her and she can't stop herself doing the same. She's returning his gaze, "Sure, can I get you anythin' to eat?"

"Er no, I'm alright, but... perhaps you can join me for a drink later when things are a bit quieter?"

Shit. If there was any doubt that she'd read things wrong, it has just evaporated. She knows she should make an excuse and say no, but truth be told she'd love to spend some time in his company. Sod Dylan and his sodding research trip. "Yes, I'd love that. Give me about half an hour."

-OG-

It's more like an hour later and she's finally getting to a point where she can stop and have a drink with Charles. She's been aware of him watching her as she works, and they've kept meeting each other's eyes and exchanging shy little smiles. She is almost bursting with expectation as the last diners are finally paying their bill.

The restaurant door opens and she's about to tell whoever it is that they're closed when she realises it is Dylan, holding a bunch of flowers.

She is shocked and completely caught off-guard by this turn of events, "Er Dylan, what are you doin' 'ere?"

He looks hurt and sounds wounded, "That's not quite the welcome I was expecting. I've come home early to see you. When you called earlier, I realised I was missing you and wanted to see you."

She knows she should be happy Dylan's here, but her overwhelming feeling is one of disappointment and she's not sure she's managing to disguise it, "Oh right..."

She looks over at Charles. His expression no longer has any warmth in it and she thinks he looks rather stern faced. He stands up, clears his throat and his words are clipped, "Molly, I'll be off. See you around."

She feels awful. She's thoughtlessly led him on and has been found out in the worst possible way. She turns to him and tries to convey the depth of her apology with her eyes as well as her words, "Oh, Charles. Shit. I'm so sorry."

As walks past her and towards the door he doesn't meet her eyes, "Goodnight Molly."

Dylan is now looking questioningly at Molly. She knows she should be feeling guilty for being caught, red handed, almost having a drink with Charles, but all she feels is annoyance at Dylan for ruining her plans. She retaliates in deflection, "You never buy me flowers."

Dylan stares at her in surprise and sounds incredibly pissed off, "Most people would say thank you, Molly."

Molly catches the train

Molly is missing Charles. He's been away since Sunday on a business trip and they've been apart for 4 whole days which is their longest separation since they got together. They've spoken everyday and texted loads but she's desperate to see him and be with him.

He got back late last night and had to go to the office today, so they've arranged to meet later, but she's decided to stop by with some lunch and surprise him. She decides to pick up some sandwiches at Qaseem's and have a catch up with him too, killing two birds with one stone.

"Mornin' Qaseem."

He welcomes her with a large hug, "Ah my beautiful Molly, how is the better half of my favourite couple?"

She blushes at his compliment, "Missin' the other 'alf like mad! I thought I'd surprise 'im at 'is office with lunch."

"Ah, the excitement of young love!"

"You make us sound like a couple of teenagers! We're not that young Qaseem."

"Maybe not, but you're young compared to an old man like me. So what can I get you?"

-x-

She stands outside the tall building and looks up. She's never been to Charles' actual office before, but knows the building well because it also houses her former PR agency. She had thought it might be distressing returning to the place which caused her so much stress and upset, but she is delighted to feel nothing but liberation from the awful place. Her life has been irrevocably changed for the better by the events of that fateful Monday morning and she couldn't be happier than she is right now.

She steps into the lift, presses floor 15 and waits for the doors to close. Moments later she is unpleasantly surprised as Sohail enters just as the doors are closing. She stands behind him, hoping against hope that perhaps he didn't recognise her in her casual clothing and with her new hair colour.

The lift stops at the agency's floor and as Sohail leaves he holds the doors and turns to talk to her, "Hi Molly, I thought it was you."

She really doesn't want to have a conversation with him, so just acknowledges him briefly hoping he'll leave her alone, "Sohail."

"Look, I've been meaning to call and apologise for how things ended between us."

She's not expecting this, "What do you mean?"

"Well, I think I was hasty in firing you. I hear you're setting up a new agency. I've heard very good things about the Harte's launch."

The bleedin' cheek of the man. He only wants her back because now she's competition and is doing well. She's furious but doesn't want to show it so opts for one of Charles' expressions, a non-commital, "Right."

"So would you consider coming back?"

"Nah, I wouldn't consider comin' back." She is completely calm but isn't going to meekly walk away from this situation now, "And just for clarity, if it were the last job on the planet, and you had a face and personality transplant... I would still rather go without."

He looks genuinely shocked, "Excuse me?"

She can't resist continuing, "You know Sohail there are only two things I don't like about you... your face."

He appears to be beyond the power of speech at this dressing down, "Eh?"

She steps forward, pushes his arm away from the door, "Now, be a good boy and sod off."

As the door closes, she lets out a massive giggle. His face during the whole exchange was an absolute picture. She knows it was childish to act like that but it felt so good to finally put that bastard in his place. She can't wait to recount the story to Charles over lunch, he will absolutely love it.

The doors open to Charles' floor and she steps into the lift lobby. As she looks through glass doors into an incredibly tasteful and expensive looking reception area she thinks to herself that they haven't really discussed his work, but clearly his business is doing pretty well.

She walks up to the intercom, presses the buzzer and announces herself, "Miss Dawes to see Mr James."

A male voice replies, "I'm sorry Miss Dawes, Mr James isn't here right now."

She's disappointed but hopes perhaps he'll be back soon, "Oh, I'm a close friend, could you tell me when he will be back?"

He sounds apologetic, "I'm not sure. He's gone to visit his mother at St Thomas' hospital with his wife and son."

She's immediately shaken from her good mood as she processes what she thinks she just heard. She's not sure she can cope with hearing those words again, but she has to be sure that she heard correctly, "I'm sorry... what did you say?"

"I said, he's gone to visit his mother in hospital with his wife and son. She's taken a turn for the worse."

She's turning and running back towards the lift, desperately jabbing the call button. She can hear the voice on the intercom, "Hello!?! Miss Dawes?!? Would you like to leave him a message?"

The lift opens, she dives in and thankful that it is empty, breaks into a thousand pieces.