Molly had been back in London for an entire week. Her family had kept her plenty busy; everyone in her entire family tree seemed to want to see her and she'd barely had a moment to herself. Two nights ago she'd had a welcome home party in the local with her old friends (of course only those who hadn't slept with her exes were invited) and family – even a few from basic training had managed to make it.
Molly, dressed in her skimpiest dress, had a great night. She along with everyone else had got totally rat-arsed. She had been secretly disappointed Charles wasn't there to begin with, but the next morning when she was nursing her hangover she was glad. She didn't want him to see her and her family in such a state. Her parents especially.
Molly had noticed her dad seemed to be drinking even more than ever since her mum had started working part time as a teaching assistant which greatly saddened her. At the end of what was a great night she arrived home to her parents screaming at each other. It was like she had never even left. Molly had slipped upstairs as quickly as possible, and when she returned less than 5 minutes later to get a glass of water, she found her parents shagging on the sofa.
Yep, she definitely couldn't let Charles meet her dysfunctional family.
Molly and her mother just returned from an afternoon shopping on Oxford Street, coming through her front door carrying a dozen shopping bags.
"I forgot how much I missed Topshop," Molly exclaimed, landing on the chair. She hadn't sat on the sofa since that drunken night, even though she definitely sure that wasn't the first time it had happened.
"I forgot how much my little girl loved to shop," Belinda replied, sticking the kettle on. "You want a cuppa, Mols?"
"Please," Molly called, pulling her phone out her pocket. Her face lit up when she saw she had a text from Charles, she grinned like a child as she replied to his text. Even something as simple as 'how was your day' made her so happy. The relationship just felt so normal, for the first time since they'd got together. She quickly tapped her reply.
"When are we going to properly meet this man of yours then?" Belinda asked. Molly had told her mum about Charles in little pieces, playing down their relationship.
"Not sure," Molly replied, taking the mug Belinda then handed her.
"Charles was his name, yeah? Posh bloke is he?"
Molly wanted to lie or make some jokey sarcastic comment. Instead she shrugged.
Belinda tried again. "He's welcome to come stay whenever. I know we don't have much room here but I'm sure he could sleep on the sofa."
Molly fake gagged. "You're alright, Mum." She then quickly changed the conversation.
Later that evening Molly was on the phone to Charles. She lay on her bed, glad to have some privacy in her shared room. They discussed literally anything and everything, talking for nearly an hour.
"I miss you," Molly said, hoping he would invite her back to his soon.
"Why don't I come visit, then?"
"I don't know," she hesitated. They'd had this conversation many times, with Molly always making some excuse about lack of space or family visiting.
"Then I'll stay in a hotel. There's one pretty close to you with vacancies tomorrow night?"
"No I can't make you fork out money when you could stay at mine for free," she said honestly.
"Great then I'll stay at yours," he replied eagerly.
"Are you sure you want to come here… I mean my family are pretty…"
"I'm sure your family are great."
"I was gonna say fucked up. I mean seriously fucked up," she told him honestly, rolling over to lie on her back.
"You're over exaggerating," he said.
"I wish. How many times have you found your dad so drunk out his nut he's passed out on the toilet? Or walked in on your parents shagging in your own bed, or on the sofa?"
Charles was silent.
"I just don't want you changing your mind about me," she said quietly.
"Nothing ever could. Family is… family. You can't choose family. And I'm sure they'll grow on me," he tried to joke.
Just then three screaming children burst through her door, all trying to tell Molly the others had done something really bad.
"For God's sake I gotta go," she said, trying to calm the shouting.
"So I can come tomorrow then?" Charles asked, Molly barely listening.
She took a deep breath. "Okay, fine."
Charles pulled his overnight bag closer to his body. He'd been on four tours of Afghanistan but waking through this part of London still made him feel on edge. He felt like he was surrounded by a concrete jungle, high rise flats on every corner of the street. He followed Google Maps on his phone and walked closer to where she lived. He'd never stepped foot on a council state before; it was an entirely new experience. But he tried to approach it all with an open mind.
He walked along the flats until he reached the one of the very end. Children's toys were littered outside the front door. An England flag hung from the window above. Charles gripped the roses in his left hand tighter and knocked on the door.
A woman opened the door and he recognised her from photos. "Mrs Dawes?" he asked tentatively. She nodded and he flashed her his million dollar smile. "My name is Charles James."
She ushered him inside. "Come in love – I've been dying to meet ya!"
He stepped into the small home and tried not to look around too much as Belinda moved to yell up the stairs.
"Oi Molls your bloke is here! And you were right; he's gorgeous!" she called, before turning to Charles. "Can I make you a cup of tea?"
Charles was stunned into silence for a second. "Uhhh... yes please, Mrs Dawes."
"Oh my god Mum you are so embarrassing," Molly said, coming down the stairs. "I'm so sorry." Molly threw her arms around Charles, embracing him. He presented her with the red roses and she thanked him for the kind gesture.
"Mum, where's Dad gone?" Molly asked her mum when she had made tea for three.
Belinda sighed. "He's at the pub Mol. Now, Charles," she began. "Tell me about yourself."
Charles and Molly walked arm in arm through the streets of London. It was the beginning of November, and there was a serious chill in the air. Molly drew herself closer to Charles in an attempt to warm herself up.
"Sometimes I wish I was still in Afghanistan," she joked. "At least I couldn't get frostbite there!"
Molly had ushered him out the house as soon as they'd finish their tea. Belinda was asking him every question under the sun and Molly could tell he had started to get nervous.
Charles laughed. "I have an idea. Why don't we go out for a really nice dinner tonight? My treat?"
"Yeah that's sounds like it could be fun," she said, glad that at least they would be out the house for most the evening.
They walked past Topshop and Molly automatically paused, eyeing the beautiful dress in the window. She had wanted to buy it yesterday, but even she couldn't reason spending hundreds on an evening dress she'd barely wear. She even went as far to try it on, her mother nearly crying at how stunning she looked. Charles noticed her look longingly at the red garment, before she turned to look at him to carry on walking.
Instead he marched straight into the shop, and asked the assistant at the door to get him that dress.
"Charles, what are you doing?" Molly asked, confused.
"You like it right? I want to give it to you," he explained.
"No, Charles you can't," she said sadly. "It's too much. Really! Have you seen the price tag?"
Then the assistant brought it over and her fingers skimmed the shimmery fabric – it was so beautiful.
"Lovely," Charles said to the assistant. "I'll take it."
Molly crossed her arms in annoyance. "Charles!"
He turned to her. "Think of it as an early Christmas present."
She opened her mouth to argue but she was still mesmerised by the dress as the assistant held it up.
"Fine."
Later that night, Charles waited in the downstairs of the council house. He wore a crisp white shirt and black dress trousers, a blazer resting on the chair. He talked with Belinda about her work; something she seemed very eager to talk about. Although he found her a bit much at first – a bit similar to Molly – he was soon growing fond of her. He had still to meet her dad.
Belinda was in the process of showing Charles some pictures from her school years. He noticed from about the age of eleven she had begun bleaching her dark hair blonde. This was something he had never known about her before. He much preferred her natural colour.
"Mummy look at Molly!" one of her young siblings called, pointing at the stairs.
Charles watched with adoration as Molly walked down the stairs, one black stiletto at a time. The dress fitted her perfectly, as if she was born to wear it. It hugged her curves and showed just the perfect amount to cleavage to drive men's imagination wild.
Her hair tumbled down, pinned to one side and her make-up was just enough to be perfect.
"Oh Molly, don't you look beautiful. All grown up!" Belinda exclaimed, passing her daughter her clutch. "If you'd had told me two years ago you'd be wearing a dress like this going out to that swanky restaurant I would've laughed!"
Molly half-smiled at her mum, ignoring the comment. Instead her attention was on Charles. He looked so blooming handsome she couldn't believe it.
"You ready?" he asked, holding out his arm. "Cab's outside."
It was a beautiful meal. They'd eaten at one of the poshest restaurants in that side of the city. The food was incredible, the atmosphere was wonderful and the company was just perfect. But surrounded by all the posh toffs, Molly felt like she still stuck out like a sore thumb - even in such an expensive dress.
They had decided to continue their night at a stylish bar a short walk from where Molly lived. They laughed as they clinked their mojitos together.
"I could get used to this," Molly joked, taking a sip of her mojito. "I feel so spoilt!"
The alcohol was going straight to her head, and her lightweight side was certainly coming out.
"You deserve to be spoiled," Charles said, taking a sip of his own. He then placed his hand on hers. "You look so beautiful tonight."
"Well it's quite a difference to full combat kit, isn't it boss?" she teased, her voice low and seductive. The wine from dinner and now the strong cocktails had made her head cloudy with alcohol, and everyone knew when Molly was drunk she became a mega flirt. "Although I must say, there's something about a man in uniform which drives me crazy."
Charles downed his drink, Molly following suit. "Shall we get out of here?" he asked, holding out his hand. Molly silently took it and they headed out into the cold air. They walked hand-in-hand down the still busy street, Molly's stilettos clicking against the concrete.
Charles noticed a few men making double takes on his girl. He drew her closer, snaking his arm around her waist. He so proud to have her on his arm. She turned to look at him and planted a kiss on his cheek.
It was then, out of the corner of her eye she noticed two very familiar but unwanted faces. She paused, her eyes narrowing without her even realising it.
"Molly?" Charles asked, suddenly concerned. He followed her gaze to a man and a woman standing across the street.
"Just some unfriendly faces from my past," she told him, averting her eyes.
The old Molly would have yelled profanities across the street, or maybe even crossed it looking to start a fight. But no, the new Molly was different.
"Want to talk about it?" Charles asked as she set off, a faster pace than before.
"No it's okay it don't matter now," she said, pulling his hand. "Come on, we're nearly home. Are you sure you don't mind staying at mine? It's not exactly the Ritz."
"Yes Molly, of course," he said.
Luckily Molly's sister, Bella, was at a sleepover so her room was empty. Molly and Charles had some relative privacy. They shared the single bottom bunk bed, despite Molly's offering to sleep in her sisters bed.
"Sorry it's a bit tight," Molly apologized. The lack of space had completely ruined the mood. They had begun kissing but then when Molly had tried to move on top of him she had managed to hit her head on the bed above. Yep, complete mood killer.
"It's okay. Bit just like a sleepover," he said with a laugh, holding her closer.
They were speaking quietly when the door downstairs slammed and something smashed. Charles looked alarmed, but Molly just rolled her eyes in the darkness. Steps thudded against the stairs and the door next to Molly's room opened and closed loudly. Voices were heard through the walls, escalating from a quiet conversation to a full blown argument. Belinda and Dave were fighting again, and Molly just sighed, trying to her best to block it out.
"I'm sorry, Charles. I just normally try to sleep through it," she told him.
"Stop apologising, it's fine," her murmured quietly, not sure how he'd manage to sleep. He guessed Molly must be so used to it.
"It's really not. Maybe you should've stayed at a hotel instead," she said with a sigh.
"Molly," he said, his voice serious. "It is fine. Besides, we're going be together a long time. I'm sure I'll be spending a lot of time with them so I may as well get used to them now."
"Really?" she asked softly. The argument next door seemed to be dying down.
"Really." He kissed her head. "Now go to sleep."
Molly woke early. Ever since she first returned from Afghanistan, she had struggled to get a regular sleep pattern. She put it down to the constant late nights and early starts, and all the mini naps she used to take through the day while on tour. She rubbed her eyes and saw the clock said it was only six-thirty. And yet, she was wide awake.
She looked at Charles – he looked so peaceful in his deep sleep. She decided to slide out of bed and she quietly picked up her running gear from the desk chair.
Dressed, she decided to go for an early morning run around the block. She wandered downstairs to find her dad passed out on the sofa – typical.
Molly loved to run. She would run all day if she could. She found it had helped her deal with some of the struggles from Afghan as well as keep her fitness up. She couldn't wait until Charles' leg was fully healed so they could work out again together, just like when they were at Bastion. He had often given her private PT sessions to help build up her fitness, especially at the start. He had noticed early on that she struggled to keep up with boys' level of fitness, just as a matter of gender. The Captain's additional training had seriously helped. Towards the end of the tour she was probably fitter than half the platoon.
She looped round after a few miles, deciding to stop by a Starbucks on the way home to buy her and Charles a morning coffee. After all he had spent on her yesterday she felt like buying him a coffee was the least she could do.
She stood waiting for her order to be made. The clock on her phone read eight am, so Charles would probably be waking up about now. She would be back just in time.
"Oh, look who it is," a familiar voice called, and Molly turned around. Her former friends stood behind her. Mary wore her tacky nail bar uniform, and Molly flashed back to a time when that was her.
"Mary, Sharon," Molly acknowledged, turning back around. She didn't want anything to do with them.
"So the army didn't work out for you then?" Mary called again, sniggering. Molly tried to ignore them but she couldn't. She plastered a fake smile on her face and turned around.
"Why would you say that?" she asked.
"Well, it's just you must be desperate if you're working as an escort now," Mary explained loudly, causing customers and workers around them to stare at Molly. The smile instantly dropped from Molly's face, replaced by a scowl. She balled her fists.
"What the fuck are you on about?" she said angrily, her voice low to try and disperse the unwanted attention.
Mary looked at her nails casually. "Saw you last night. Walking down the street in that expensive Topshop dress and your slut stilettos with that gorgeous man. He looked well off. He paid for it, did he? In exchange for a wild night with Molly Dawes?"
Molly had to count in her head to stop her from jumping on Mary. Offend her, that was fine, but offend her man? She was mad.
"Like you can talk," Molly returned, wishing her drinks order would hurry up. She had half a mind to run out and go to the other Starbucks down the road instead. But she didn't want to be a coward.
"Not denying it then? I always knew you'd end up as a sex worker. After all, being a slag was the only thing you were ever good at during school."
"Are we completely ignoring the fact you slept with my boyfriend?" Molly asked, raising her voice.
"At least Artan didn't pay me for it," Mary said, laughing along with Sharon.
"That guy last night was my boyfriend," Molly said angrily, trying to defend herself. She was half a second from slapping the little cow.
Mary stepped forward, lowering her voice. "Get real Molly. Like a girl like you could get a guy like him."
Just then her drinks order was called. She thanked any Gods that were out there, and swiftly grabbed the plastic cups and left without even looking at the two girls. Their laughs echoed through her ears as she went outside.
As she power walked back to her house, Molly tried hard to keep the tears from falling. She felt so stupid for crying. Why should she care what some stupid girls think?
But maybe they were right. Maybe she really was kidding herself. Her self-confidence was seriously shattered now. She caught her reflection in the window before her house, and took a second to properly at herself. She had gone from the happiest girl on the planet to feeling so shit in 2 minutes. She shifted the cups in her hand to wipe the tears and try to smooth out her skin, drawing in a few deep breaths.
Molly opened the door to find Charles sat downstairs with her younger siblings and mother. He stood when she came in, his smile instantly dropping when he saw she'd been crying.
"Molly?" he asked, concerned. She didn't look at him in the eye, but instead just shoved the coffee cup into his hand, mumbling something about a shower. She went into the bathroom and locked the door firmly behind her.
Charles stood, confused, watching her close herself off from him. He exchanged a worried look with Belinda before he sat back down, having no idea what could have caused her mood to change so dramatically.
Belinda rested her hand on his shoulder gently. "Don't worry love, I'm sure she's fine."
He really hoped she was.
Okay so I definitely should have been doing work instead of writing this! But I couldn't help myself. Anyway, he's the next chapter. He can kind of see the story develop more here. I wrote it very quickly so I'm expecting there to be a few mistakes! Let me know what you think!