Another update thanks to a day of travelling... I'm going to post and run for cover.
Charles is out of luck
Molly misses the train
Charles leaves the restaurant feeling bitterly disappointed.
He's disappointed that after finally plucking up the courage to ask Molly to join him for a drink that their plans were thwarted by the arrival of her boyfriend, Dylan.
He's disappointed with how he acted as he left, not meeting her eye and leaving in a huff like that was childish and unforgivable. It wasn't her fault that Dylan had turned up; and she really hadn't seemed very pleased to see him at all.
He thinks back to what Qaseem had said about Molly putting on a front and he wonders what her story is and what the true status of the relationship with Dylan is.
He took an immediate dislike to Dylan; something about him just seemed off. He's usually a fairly good judge of character and has met enough jumped up, self-important squaddies in his time to recognise the type. He also didn't like the way Dylan spoke to Molly, he came across as possessive and not in a good or protective way.
He's disappointed because it now seems clear to him that nothing is going to happen with Molly. Even worse, he realises he's being incredibly selfish, pursuing her when she's already in a relationship, whether she's happy or not. He doesn't want to complicate things for her and add to whatever troubles she is having. He resolves to back off and wait out.
Molly catches the train
Charles is leaving the hospital with Rebecca and Sam when he gets a call from Brains, his star investment manager and one of his former Army colleagues. He's a little bit surprised to be getting a call from work as he'd left clear instructions that he didn't want to be disturbed for the afternoon.
"What's up Brains?"
"Boss, I think I might have fucked up."
This doesn't sound good. He's known Brains for a long time and he's one of the safest pairs of hands he knows. He trusts him completely and has never had cause to doubt his judgment or motives.
"What do you mean? How?"
"A woman stopped by the office asking for you. I told her you'd gone to visit your mother with your wife and son. She asked me to repeat it and then she bolted. I'm sorry, but I definitely didn't say 'soon to be ex-wife'."
He can hear the anguish in Brains' voice. Whilst he's told Brains about the separation and impending divorce from Rebecca, he hasn't yet told him about Molly, but he's clearly worked it out.
"Shit. Did she give a name?"
"Miss Molly Dawes."
"Fuck."
"I'm really sorry Boss... I'm guessing she's the reason for your recent mood upswing?"
"Indeed. She is. How long ago was this?"
"About 5 minutes."
"Ok. Thanks for letting me know Brains. Please don't worry, this isn't your fault. I've been a massive cockwomble."
He is furious with himself. This is exactly what Elvis tried to warn him about happening, "Rebecca, Sam. I'm really sorry but I've got to go. I need to find Molly."
Rebecca looks at him incredulously and with a surprising amount of pity, "Oh Charles, do I take it from that conversation that you still haven't told Molly about us?"
Before he has a chance to answer, Sam is speaking, "Dad?"
"Yes, Sam?"
Sam looks mischievously at him, and he knows what is coming. His son spends too much bloody time with Elvis and won't resist this opportunity, "You're right. You have been a massive cockwomble."
"Right, lovely. Thanks for your support Sam."
The ridiculous thing is that he told Rebecca and Sam about Molly weeks ago. They'd both noticed the positive change in him and had both been really pleased for him. In fact, Sam has been persistently pestering him to arrange a meeting.
He's foolishly let this situation get completely out of control with Molly. He's more than aware that it's no longer just about the fact that he's married, be it separated and nearly divorced with a thirteen year old son but more that after all this time, he hasn't managed to be honest with her about it.
-OG-
He tries Molly's mobile but it goes straight to voicemail. He rings off without leaving a message, unsure what he should say, how to address this enormous problem on a voicemail. He thinks for a few moments, calls back hoping she might pick up. It goes straight to voicemail again and he decides he has to say something.
"Molly. I know you've been to my office. Please call me back. I can explain... it isn't what it sounds like. I'm sorry. Please call me."
-OG-
He rings the doorbell at Jac's house and waits nervously. He can hear someone on the other side of the front door, takes a deep breath and braces himself for whatever is going to come next.
The door is opened by a thunderous looking Jac. He knows he has to face this and there isn't anything she can say that he doesn't deserve, "Hi Jac. Is Molly here?"
She's practically spitting out her words, "You've got a bloody nerve coming here."
He doesn't even try to defend himself, "I know. I'm sorry. Is she here?"
She's not showing any sign of calming down, "I think you should be getting back to your wife and son."
"Please Jac, I really need to speak to her. To explain."
"Well, she's not here."
"Do you know where she is?"
"No I don't... goodbye Charles." She's now looking more sad than angry as she adds, "Oh, and you can tell Elvis not to bother calling me again either."
Shit, he didn't anticipate this. He can't fuck things up for Elvis too. He's pleading now, "Jac. This has absolutely nothing to do with Elvis. Please don't do this to him."
She doesn't say anything further but just closes the door in his face.
-OG-
He pulls out his phone and dials Elvis' number.
"Alright, Charlie boy?"
"No, Elvis. I'm not. I've fucked up big time. Have you spoken to either Molly or Jac?"
"No, not today... why? What's happened?"
"Molly's found out about Rebecca and Sam. I can't find her and she's not answering her phone. I've just been to Jac's house and she told me in no uncertain terms to fuck off."
"Fucking hell Charlie. I'm not going to say I told you so, but it sounds like it's all gone a bit Pete Tong. Let me call Jac and see what I can find out."
"That's the thing... I'm sorry mate but she told me to tell you to not bother calling her."
"You're fucking kidding me."
"Like I said, I've fucked up big time."
"Right, well you had better double away like a good soldier and un-fuck it up. I'm not losing Jac."
-OG-
He looks for Molly at Qaseem's cafe but Qaseem hasn't seen her either, but promises to let him know if she comes by.
He tries the restaurant he met her in that first night but she's not been seen there either.
He's wandering aimlessly along the river heading in the vague direction of his house boat, aware that he's starting to run out of options.
He knows her family live in Newham in the East End but he doesn't know where exactly and from what she's said about the relationship with her parents, he doesn't think she'd go there anyway.
He has an awful thought that perhaps she's gone back to Dylan. He can't believe that she would have done that, but then Dylan did turn up at the restaurant launch that night full of remorse and apologies. He knows that the house she used to share with him is next door to his old friend and former CO Major Beck but really doesn't want to go there and give that bastard Dylan any ammunition.
He racks his brain thinking of where else she could be? Battersea Park? He can't really search the whole of the bloody park looking for her, besides it will be getting dark soon and shit, it is also starting to rain.
It's then that he recalls their conversation about Albert Bridge and how she sometimes goes there when she wants to think. It's not far and it has to be worth a try.
-OG-
He's almost half way across the bridge before he sees her small figure pressed up against the railings, almost hidden by one of the pillars. She's looking out over the river and seems oblivious to her surroundings. She's not wearing a coat or anything remotely waterproof and is thoroughly soaked.
He stops and thinks carefully about what he needs to say to her and how he is going to make this right.
He walks up to her and gently puts a hand on her arm, "Molly?"
He feels her flinch at his touch. She doesn't turn to look at him and quietly says, "Go away Charles."
"Molly, please look at me."
She turns round, berating herself, "I'm such an idiot."
He attempts to gently hold her face, to make her listen, "Please listen to me. It isn't what you think."
She bats away his hands from her face. She's crying, but there is a calm determination to her, "No, you listen to me. I said no more secrets. I've been through enough. I stupidly believed that there was a man who was different, but it is clear I made a mistake. I never want to see you again."
He feels her slipping away from him, he knows he has to explain and fast, "Molly, I'm so sorry. I am married ..."
He doesn't get to finish his sentence because she pushes past him and runs, runs straight into the road and into the path of a passing motorcycle. He watches in horror as she flies through the air, landing a few metres away on the pavement with a sickening thud, as the motorcyclist skids off the bike coming to a halt in the road a bit further away.
He hesitates for a second before his Army training kicks in. He notes that the motorcyclist is thankfully moving and already getting himself to the safety of the pavement. He's already dialling 999 as he runs over to Molly. She's unconscious and bleeding from her head. He's careful not to move her but covers her with his coat whilst he speaks to the emergency call handler, giving as many details as he can about the accident and the casualties.
He goes over to check on the motorcyclist who seems shaken but thankfully unhurt beyond a few bruises and scratches.
After what feels like an agonisingly long wait, but is in reality only a few minutes, he is immensely relieved to see blue lights of an ambulance and a police car approaching. With professional help imminent, his calmness disappears and he's on his knees next to Molly sobbing and begging for her to be ok.