Chapter 1

Caroline arrived home from school and hurried inside. Kate had already been home for half an hour and was changed and waiting for her in the kitchen. She stepped past their bags which she'd left in the hallway that morning and made her way into the kitchen. As Caroline appeared in the doorway Kate looked up from her reading and smiled.

"I'm ready when you are!"

"Great, I'll go and change. Where's Lawrence?"

"I think he's in his room" replied Kate.

"OK, I won't be long" smiled Caroline, before quickly disappearing upstairs.

Caroline had been looking forward to the weekend ever since she'd booked it, although she also felt quite some trepidation. Despite having come out to her family, she hadn't really done the 'outing' and was still not fully at ease with displaying their relationship outside the home. That was part of the reason they still drove separate cars to school, although she liked to think it was also more about practicalities since they didn't always finish work at the same time. She certainly wasn't ashamed of Kate, in fact she felt completely the opposite, she was hugely proud of being with Kate, which is certainly not something she would have said about John. She was just finding it hard, after being in a straight relationship for so many years, to embrace the fact that she was now in a gay relationship. However, as she changed out of her work clothes and into something more comfortable, she pushed these thoughts to the back of her mind, it was Kate's birthday and she really wanted to treat her.

Before heading downstairs she stopped off to say goodbye to Lawrence and told him to be good for his Granny. Appearing back in the kitchen Caroline asked Kate if she would put the bags in the car while she popped next door to tell her Mum that they were about to leave. Kate nodded and as she passed Caroline gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Don't be too long!" She said with a sparkle in her eye giving away how much she was looking forward to the weekend away.

An hour later Caroline turned the Jeep into the driveway of the hotel.

"Wow, this is beautiful Caroline!" Kate exclaimed.

"Glad you like it" replied Caroline quietly. She was beginning to feel nervous. It was ridiculous. How could she feel nervous about checking into a hotel?! She regularly addressed hundreds of school children and didn't feel as nervous as this.

"Are you OK?" asked Kate as Caroline brought the car to a stop in a parking space. Caroline didn't answer but turned to get out of the car. Kate grabbed her hand to stop her.

"What's the matter Caroline? You've gotten progressively quieter as we got closer. Don't you want to be here?"

Caroline turned back to face Kate, but couldn't bring her eyes to meet Kate's as she felt too embarrassed.

"I..erm..this is going to sound so stupid and I'm worried you'll be cross with me." She paused, trying to find the right words.

"I'm nervous. I'm terrified of going in there and checking in to our room."

"Why on earth would you be nervous about doing that?" asked Kate flummoxed. This was a woman who ran a large school, was intelligent and articulate, how could checking into a hotel faze her?

"It's not the process, it's the implication. I've never booked into a double room at a hotel before with a woman. Let's face it I've barely spoken to anyone about being in a relationship with a woman. I didn't even get to tell most of my family! I'm not used to 'coming out', having to deal with people's opinions, comments, etc. It was bad enough with my mother. Plus what business is it of anyone else? Yet if I want to spend a weekend in a hotel with my girlfriend I inevitably have to 'come out'!"

Caroline said all this looking firmly at her hands which Kate was still holding. Only when she finished did she dare raise her eyes to look at Kate's. Kate looked back at her slightly stunned by the outpouring.

"I had no idea you found it so difficult. I mean, I knew you'd been reluctant to let on to people at school but I assumed that was because of your position." Kate's brow furrowed a little as she continued.

"Why did you book a weekend away for us then?"

"Because I wanted to treat you for your birthday, and I focussed on the fact that we could spend two days and nights entirely on our own without interruptions. I really don't have a problem with our relationship, I love being with you; I'm just struggling with showing other people that we're in a relationship."

Caroline frowned and continued. "I'm probably not making much sense, I know. Falling for you has turned my world upside down and I'm still adjusting".

Kate sighed "Caroline, I do understand what you're saying, I really do. You're not the only person to go through this. But it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, this is our relationship and not anyone else's." She squeezed Caroline's hand and stated matter-of-factly, "OK. Well we have to check in, there's no way round that! But I'll be there with you, at your side. What's the worst that will happen? They could tell us to go away, but that would be illegal and I'm pretty certain that you and I together could fight that! They might make sly comments, but we can ignore them or make a formal complaint. Or of course they could be completely professional and not bat an eyelid. Given the look of the hotel and my guess that this isn't a cheap place to stay, they will give customer service a high priority and so will not bat an eyelid at us. What do you reckon?"

Kate smiled and leant forward to kiss Caroline gently on the lips.

"Does that help?" She asked with a wink.

Caroline pretended to think about it for a moment, "Erm...maybe, a little. Perhaps one more?" as she leaned in for another kiss.

They both climbed out of the car and grabbed a bag each. As Caroline locked the car Kate took her hand.

They walked through the entrance to the hotel hand in hand, despite Caroline twitching as though to remove her hand from Kate's. Kate's grasp was firm but gentle as she led the way. At the reception desk Kate gently nudged Caroline forward. She knew that this was something that Caroline had to face and that once done she would feel better. She smiled a little to herself though at the irony of the situation, here was Dr Caroline Elliott normally a strong-minded, charismatic, articulate leader being led by the hand of her girlfriend just to check in at a hotel!

Caroline cleared her throat. "Hi. I have a reservation in the name of Caroline Elliott."

"Good Evening and welcome" responded the smiling female receptionist. "I'll just look you up on the system... Yes, we have you in room number 27. A double room with two occupants for two nights, is that correct?"

"Yes, that's right" confirmed Caroline.

"Could we please take the name of the other occupant of the room, so that we have a full register of guests?"

"Erm, y.. yes of course" Caroline stuttered as her face coloured. She avoided eye contact with the smiley receptionist and instead fixed her gaze on the reception desk.

"Yes, her name is Kate McKenzie. That's M...c...capital K..e..n..z..i..e."

The receptionist continued without hesitation.

"Thank you. We also have a dinner reservation at 8pm for two tonight in our restaurant, is that right?"

"Yes, that is. Thank you." Caroline risked a glance at the receptionist as she replied and saw no smirks or sly winks, nothing but professionalism.

"Great. Can you please check that your address details are correct and that we have the correct card details for your deposit?" the receptionist said as she passed a piece of paper to Caroline. She quickly reviewed it and signed where indicated.

The receptionist continued "Here are two key cards for your room. It's up the stairs, turn right and follow the corridor. Is there anything else you need?"

Caroline shook her head and took the cards.

"Well if you do need anything, just let us know. We hope you have a very pleasant stay."

"Thank you" Caroline responded and turned to Kate, who was grinning at her.

"That wasn't so bad, was it?" whispered Kate as they climbed the stairs.

"Well, no, it wasn't. You were right!" Conceded Caroline albeit a little reluctantly.