There Is Still Hope

Chapter One

She couldn't be sure. Had she just seen her? No it couldn't be. She had to make sure, so she followed her around the shop, keeping her distance. There she was in all her glory. Still magnificent.

All the old familiar feelings came flooding back to Kate, she felt light-headed and had butterflies in her stomach. It had been almost two years since she had seen her. Two years since she had tearfully handed her notice in. Caroline had at first refused to accept it, becoming emotional as she desperately tried to change her mind. It hadn't worked, Kate walked away, out of Caroline's life. There had been several times when Kate had wanted to go back, but she didn't. She had tried to get on with her life, tried to forget about her.

"Kate, that is you isn't it?" Her familiar voice brought her out of her thoughts. She had been standing in the middle of an aisle lost in her memories. Kate kicked herself; she had not wanted to face her.

Those blue eyes were searching hers waiting for Kate to respond.

"Hello Caroline," the voice that came out of her mouth did not sound like her own. What was wrong with her, why did Caroline have this effect on her?

"Hello," Caroline replied.

They stood there looking at each other, neither of them saying anything.

"Kate, how long has it been?" Caroline didn't know why she said this. She knew exactly how long it had been. One year, nine months and three weeks, not that she had been counting!

Kate didn't know what to say, she stood there feeling awkward wishing she could say what she really wanted to say.

"How have you been?" Kate broke the silence.

"Fine. I've I've missed you," Caroline's voice cracked slightly as she said it. She could feel the sting of tears in her eyes as she struggled to compose herself.

Kate's face softened, "Caroline," she said. Nobody said her name the way Kate did.

"Caroline, where are you?" Suddenly an angry male voice interrupted the private moment they were sharing.

Kate was startled at the interruption and looked up to see John heading towards them.

"There you are. What are you doing here? We need Champagne not soft drinks. I'm going to find some, come on." John had not even noticed Kate, talking loudly at Caroline as if she was one of their children. All the time he was talking Caroline did not take her eyes off Kate, but Kate's expression had changed. She now had a puzzled look on her face as her mind was racing, going through various permutations of what she had just witnessed. Was Caroline back with John, she found it hard to believe that she would after everything. On the other hand she had taken him back before, so it wouldn't be a surprise if she had done it again.

"Kate, it's not what you think." It was almost as if Caroline had read Kate's mind.

Kate put her hand up to stop Caroline from going any further.

"Caroline it's fine, I don't need an explanation." She paused and then said, "I'm surprised that's all." With that she turned and walked away.

"Kate, don't go." Caroline had a decision to make, stay or chase after Kate. Her instincts took over and she went after her. Kate proved to be deceptively quick and Caroline didn't catch up with her until they were in the car park.

"Kate, please stop."

Kate stopped when she heard her voice behind her. She took a deep breath before she turned around to face her.

"It's not what you think," Caroline said.

"Caroline its fine. You don't need to explain anything to me."

"I know but I want to." She stepped closer to her so there wasn't such a big distance between them. "John and I aren't together, what you saw in there was not what you think."

"You keep saying that."

"I know but I want to make it clear that we are not together. We are just shopping for Lawrence's 18th. He's having a party next week."

They stood there looking at each other. Caroline broke the silence. "Look Kate, can we start again? Will you have dinner with me?"

"Caroline, I don't think that's a good idea." Kate wanted to run; she knew if she stayed longer she would end up agreeing to anything Caroline suggested.

"Look it's just a catch up; we can have a chat about what we've been up to. I know this nice restaurant we could go to, just two old friends having dinner together. Where is the harm in that?"

Kate laughed. "Oh come on, we both know we are more than friends." The atmosphere was charged between them. Kate immediately wished she hadn't said it.

"Look say yes and I can book a table for tomorrow night. Don't think about it, say yes."

Kate didn't say anything for what felt like ages. She was weighing things up in her head. She was trying to keep calm; being this close to Caroline always made her feel light-headed. Time had not changed that. Eventually she nodded her head. "Okay."

"Great I'll pick you up at 7." Caroline felt her heart skip a beat. Suddenly she stopped. "You do still live in the same place?" She suddenly thought what if she had moved or worse what if she was involved with someone else. She could be in a serious relationship. She put the thought from her mind; it was too painful to explore that possibility.

Kate smiled, "yes I'm still in the same place, but you don't have to pick me up, I can meet you."

"Its fine Kate, I don't mind honestly. It's the least I can do."

"Okay, if you are sure. I'll see you tomorrow." Kate turned and walked to her car. When she got in she felt light headed. She let out a breath as if she had been holding it during their whole encounter. She could feel that old familiar feeling she always got when she was around Caroline. She wasn't sure meeting her again was a good idea. She had found walking away from her the last time so difficult, she wasn't sure she could cope again. As she drove away she found despite her better judgement she was looking forward to tomorrow night and she realised she had forgotten to pick up the milk.