Molly is quiet. They are in the car driving to barracks where Molly will rejoin 2 section who have also been home for the last month. They've talked about whether they say anything to the rest of the lads. Charles wants to wait until his commitment to the army has finished. He wants to protect Molly. He doesn't want there to be any talk or gossip about whether they were together as they served together. He doesn't want anything to affect her career. Molly doesn't give a toss. She knows the lads enough that if she tells them what did happen they will understand and although wind her up will accept it.
'You OK Molls?' Charles asks.
'I'm fine. I want to go, but I don't want to go either. I'm confused. I'll miss you and don't know how I will cope with you not being there.'
'You're strong Molls. The lads will be there. They will look after you. Nothing is going to happen. You will be holed up in Bastion whilst the whole operation is brought to an end.'
'I know, but I'll miss you Boss Man.'
They share a look that conveys both their feelings. The love. The days until Molly returns home. The desperation and the unknown of what the future will hold for them.
'Will you let me know if you can how it goes with the Major?'
'I will but it will be a formality. I've already hinted the last time I met him what I plan to do. I can then….'
Molly interrupted 'But do you have to leave completely? This was your career well before mine. Could you not get a posting at Sand Hurst or something like that? Will you not be happier doing what you love? We will get time together.'
'Molls, I would rather be at home waiting for you. I can start building my career outside the army whilst you are still serving. We would never be allowed to be stationed together on deployment. We can never guarantee we will together for R&R. It will be easier this way. Now shut up and tell me you love me before I reluctantly drop you here.' Molly had insisted that Charles dropped her off. She didn't think she would be able to hold it together and hide her feelings from 2 section if he was nearby. 'I'm not happy dropping you off. I can be discreet. I am a bloody Captain you know. I am still allowed to be on base.'
'I know. I just think it's better this way. A lot of the lads thought I was sweet on Smurf and to be honest I let them think that without correcting them just to hide what I felt about you. I know we made our peace with Smurf but they don't know that. I would rather break it to them over time.'
'I'm only agreeing because I love you.' Charles replied with a look.
'I know you numpty. And I love you. Now help me out with my bags. I'll ring you tonight if nothing is on and I'll text you as we are boarding tomorrow. OK?'
Charles pulled Molly towards him within the confines of the car before she could get out the car. She clung onto him and dug her face into his chest so he could not see how much this was killing her. Charles cupped her face and lifted her face up so he could look at her. He looked deeply into her eyes trying to convey every feeling and emotion he could not say and stroked her cheek gently. A single tear run down Molly's cheek.
'Let me go before I make a prise prany of myself.' Molly said quite desperately.
'In a second' he replied. He brought his head forward slowly so their foreheads were touching and whispered quietly 'come back to me Molly?'
Molly nodded solemnly and bit her lip to stop the tears. 'I will. Don't worry'
Charles placed a gentle kiss on her forehead before taking a deep breathe and got out the car to open the boot. He helped Molly on with her bangs before putting his hands on her shoulders. He then gave his cheeky grin and said 'Piss of Dawsey.'
Molly laughed in reply which is what he had intended. He turned her round and gave a gentle shove to start her moving. Molly looked over her shoulder and said quietly 'Love You.'
'Ditto'. Charles stood watching until Molly was out of sight and he slowly got back in the car.
