Molly was in the medic tent sorting through supplies. She was doing one of her least favourite tasks – a full inventory. She was also starting to box up excess supplies in anticipation of pulling out for good in 3 months time. Although focusing on what she was doing she was also deep in thought. She had mixed emotions. She was over the moon that Charles was here but also secretly worried about the lads. Deep in her heart she knew they would be fine with her and Charles and would want her to be happy, but she was still worried about their initial reactions. She remembered her first tour when Smurf was pissed at her and told them all about their session behind the takeaway. It had all worked out in the end but she didn't want to go through that again. She would never tell them this, but she loved them all and didn't want it to change her relationship with them. She was still their Molls, still a Private. She was one of them.
Molly looked up as Corporal Kinders pushed back the flap to the medic tent as he walked in.
'You ready? The boss wants to see us before we meet up with the rest of the section.'
'Sir' Molly confirmed as she lay her clipboard down on top of the treatment bed. She hesitated before walking towards him 'Corporal?' she looked up hesitantly 'Are you really OK with this?' she was wringing her hands and obviously nervous.
Kinders smiled. 'It was Boss Man all along wasn't it? It was never Smurf.'
'Yeh. I loved Smurf but not like that. Smurf was my best friend. He knew about me and the boss'
'Smurf loved you.' Kinders said but without any accusation.
'I know' Molly replied. 'But I didn't love him like that. He knew that. We talked it all through and he was OK with it and gave us his blessing.'
Kinders laughed softly 'Looking back I don't know how I didn't see this.'
'Nothing happened' Molly was quick to interject. She wanted him to be completely clear that nothing happened on the last tour. 'Nothing happened when we was here. We waited until we got back.'
'When we got back from Cyprus and we were at the hospital visiting Smurf, you went for a drink?'
Molly crossed her arms and shrugged, embarrassed.
'Are you happy?' he asked.
Molly looked up. Molly was always happy and always smiling, but the look that crossed her face as she quietly confirmed 'Yes' was all he needed to know.
'Come on then. Let's go meet the Boss and agree how we are going to tell the rest of the section. This should be fun' he said with a laugh.
