Charles was on the train back to Bath after a very eventful couple of days in London. He had met with the ideas team for his monthly column and thoughts on 'the' book! They all seemed to think he could do it. He hoped he didn't let them down. In particular he really like Jo and Kat who had been assigned to him. They would advise and guide him thru the next few months. They had agreed to talk again next week and in the meantime he was to submit several dummy articles for them to critique.

He had even had time to go and see the Dawes family and check up on them. It would be good to tell Molly everyone was okay and he had seen them. Although her sister Bella was a piece of work. She took the word stroppy to a whole new level.

He had been to the pub with Dave. Now that was an eye opener. He felt like he was in a zoo the way they all stopped when the two of them had walked in. Dave had insisted on buying the first pint (Belinda had given him a tenner) but was quite happy to let Charles pay for the rest, which then included buying drinks for his mates.

Belinda had insisted he stay and he had slept on the sofa. Waking up around 2 am to find Belinda sitting at the table with a cup of tea. There they had sat for another two hours and talked about Molly. He had started at the beginning and so had she. It had been interesting to hear what she was like growing up. He know it had been tough. He didn't realise how tough.

Belinda was smiling when she eventually went back to bed. Turning to him as he lay back on the sofa she said 'Charles our girl, she will be alright out there won't she?'

'Belinda of course. Don't worry, you know Molly will be fine and she has the lads from 2 section looking after her.'

Belinda had left turning off the light as she went. He heard the stairs creaking as she went back to bed. Lying there in the dark he missed Molly with such intensity he felt pain in his head and his chest.

Leaving the next morning to head back to Bath, Belinda had hugged him so tight. He knew that right now he was the next best thing to Molly for her. So he had stood there stooped down for several minutes before heading down the stairwell. He was sure she had sniffed his hair at some point, what was that about?

Belinda had stood on the balcony until he was out of sight. He knew that as he had stopped to wave for the umpteenth time to her. Bless her he thought she was having a tough time as well. He must call her and keep in touch, she needs someone to talk to about Molly being away. Someone who understands what its like.

Opening his eyes he realised he could be making notes. He had checked his phone on boarding. Two emails each from Kat and Jo with tips and pointers. A to do list of what they wanted within the next week. No rest for the wicked he thought. He smiled to himself and sat back in his seat.

Pulling out a notebook Jo had given him he started to make a list of subjects he knew about. Kat had said be clear about your topic, pick something you are passionate about. Jo had said always carry a notebook you never know when you might want to write and you cant carry a laptop everywhere.

Wise words he thought to himself. Two hours later he was pulling into Bath and realised he had filled several pages with notes. These would need to be typed up and emailed today. Luckily his parents were gone again and would be gone for a few weeks. By the time they got back he would be ten minutes away in his and Molly's flat.

His mother had not taken the news well about refusing the Red Cross job. Neither did she take to the writing career. Asking what Molly thought about that. Nodding when he said she was not impressed and walking out of the room when he said he had not told Molly about the trip to London and refusing the job. She had been cool for the next few days and it had been a relief when his parents had gone back to Italy. He realised that his mother and Molly were more alike than he knew. Two strong, independent women who would take no crap from him.

Walking thru Bath as the night settled on the city always made him appreciate how lucky he had been to grow up here. It was beautiful by day, but so often full of tourists. By night it belonged to the locals and you could wander the streets looking at the architecture. He thought he would detour and walk past the flat he and Molly were buying.

He stood outside the converted school that would soon be their home. They had seen it one day when she was dragging him out walking. It had been a building site. But, looking at each other they had started laughing and within minutes were in the estate agents who were marketing it. They had picked off plan. High ceilings were a must for them, at least three bedrooms so Sam had his own room. The flat they had chosen was laid out over two floors (he refused to call it a maisonette!). Main suite upstairs which would give them privacy when Sam was staying and growing up. Downstairs Sam's bedroom, guest bedroom and a shower room.

The piece de resistance with this property was the open plan living area which had high ceilings, a huge fireplace, wood flooring and doors leading out to a tiny courtyard.

He saw Brian the site foreman and waved. He was locking up for the night and kept his head down, not wanting to invite any conversation. Laughing Charles thought he was probably worried Molly was lurking somewhere. They had been regular visitors and although never having been inside Molly had never wavered in her enthusiasm for the building and the team working on it. She had even popped down to them before they closed down for Christmas to drop off mince pies.

He took a couple of photos on his phone to send to Molly, thinking she would like to see it now in the night light. In another month he moved in. He would move in on his own. It had not seemed right but Molly would not hear of him delaying.

Charles pulled the collar of his coat up and turned to walk back to his parents house. Guest bedroom or office where he could write…. Hmmm that was a conundrum. That would be a fun conversation with Molly.

Putting his key in the door he was greeted by darkness and silence. He made himself something to eat. His mother despite her sulk had ensured plenty of food in the freezer for him. He should text her and say thank you he thought. No point in dragging this out.

He went into the drawing room and put the TV on. Eastenders was on so he left it on the channel, only one person he knew who watched this and maybe he could sit thru it for her.

Five minutes later he was up and pacing around he felt edgy, not sure why. He went into the kitchen and poured a glass of wine. Pulling his notebook towards him at the table he read thru his notes written on the train. He started writing more and looking up at the clock saw it was 9.30pm. He had been writing for nearly two hours.

He was astonished he was able to write so freely and easily. It was good to concentrate on something it helped him deal with no Molly around.

There was a noise in the hall so he got up to see what it was. It was someone knocking. He stopped and felt a cold sweat come over him. Who knocks at a door this time of night unless there have bad news.

Slowly he walked to the door and opened it. In front of him stood two military personnel.

'Captain James?'

'Yes, is it Molly?'

'Can we come in Sir?'

Charles stepped aside to let them in and looked outside into the dark night, gasping for air as he let the front door close…

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