Lorraine's POV:
Where do I even start? Nikki Boston. How do I even begin to explain her to you? There's just something captivating about her, I don't know whether it's her authoritative persona or her gorgeous appearance. I don't know what to think. She seems so mysterious, she never really gives anything about her personal life away. Every time I'm with her, no matter what else is going on...all I can think about is her. When we're in meetings together I find it uplifting to see her. Even if she appears not to want to be there, as she sits with her arms folded and seems to be in a world of her own, just by her being there it makes me feel better. I love the way she can look amazing in a simple pair of tailored trousers and a plainly coloured shirt with the sleeves rolled up. I love how her dark hair gently ebbs at her ears. I love how she'll always stand her ground and argue her point with such brilliant conviction, yet still be equally as nurturing to the kids. If they misbehave she'll use her army background to make them remember not to do it again, I love that about her, it fascinates me. This can't be happening, I've never had a relationship with a woman... I'm not saying I've never thought about it, but I've never acted on my feelings. Anyway, she's straight isn't she? Well, she's never given any indication otherwise, so she must be...right!? Come to think of that though, nobody has ever thought I could be interested in women, it doesn't mean I'm not. The way Nikki makes me feel is so strange, I feel like a teenager again.
Nikki's POV:
There's something about Lorraine that intrigues me. She can be so stingy and unwilling when it comes to spending money on repairs to the school, yet will pay money from her own pocket to help the kids have a good time. She tends to remain business-like a lot of the time; in her own sort of way; with just the odd moment where she let's it slide. In those odd moments she is the most wonderful woman i've ever met, her personality is fabulous; she's up for a laugh and a joke. However, I do find it beautiful watching her in business mode, she'll do everything she can to make people agree with her, even though it might not work. I love the way her long blonde hair, in it's tidy curls, sways as she walks. She so often wears figure-hugging dresses with high heels that accentuate her amazing long legs, this only adds to the reasons I find her so attractive. How can I sit across from her in a meeting as she heatedly talks about budgets and overspends? All I notice when she speaks is her gorgeous accent, her perfectly glossed lips and an air of slight boredom in her eyes. This can't happen though, Lorraine has never shown any indication that she's interested in women. None of my friends at Waterloo Road know that I'm gay, I've not been in a relationship since I came out of the army so they have no reason to know. How I feel about Lorraine isn't just friendship, it's genuine longing... but it could never happen, could it?
Nikki and Lorraine stood with Michael in his office. As Michael opened Jodi Allen's exam paper, Lorraine looked at Nikki with nervous eyes. Jodi's results reflect on Lorraine and on Nikki in different ways, for Lorraine it's crucial for bigging-up the school and raising the applicant number and for Nikki it is crucial as proof that the PRU does work. Secretly, Lorraine is hoping that Jodi had done well because of all the support and encouragement Nikki had given Jodi and all the hard work she'd put in to get the best grade she could.
"Looks to me like she might've done it!" Michael announced, with a hint of excitement in his voice.
"How's she managed that with everything that happened?" Nikki answered, with surprise and pride.
Nikki and Lorraine looked at each other with the biggest smiles on their faces. Lorraine's smile lit up her face, her bright-white teeth beaming. Nikki smiled and her eyes smiled too. They both looked at each other, and then quickly looked away again.
"She's done the PRU proud!" Lorraine said, full of admiration for Jodi. She'd had worked so hard and turned her life around to enter this exam...but even after everything that had just happened, she seemed to have passed with flying colours. Nikki had never been more proud.
"Put it with the others," Michael told Nikki as he passed her Jodi's exam paper, "I'm going to go find her." Michael left his office, shutting the door behind him and Nikki started to walk towards it to go and put Jodi's exam with the rest.
"So've you Nikki..." Lorraine announced kindly and Nikki turned to face her, "...done the PRU proud. Michael was right when he said you were the woman for the job!" As she spoke, she walked towards Nikki, her high-end, high-heels clipping the floor.
"Thanks, it means a lot!" Nikki replied with a giggle, whilst looking down at the exam paper in her hands.
Lorraine and Nikki were now face-to-face, with less than a metre between them. Lorraine could feel her heart beating hard, it felt as though it was going to jump out of her chest. Nikki looked up from Jodi's paper and met Lorraine's gaze, she marvelled at her stunning pale-blue eyes which were encircled by delicately mascaraed lashes and at her perfect lips. So many things were running through her mind at break-neck speed but she didn't want to do anything stupid, after all, she had no idea how Lorraine would react. She's my boss. She's Lorraine Donnegan. If she doesn't feel the same it could end terribly. Lorraine stood and also thought how unprofessional it would be and how awkward things would be if she acted on her feelings. The two were stood silently, staring at each other when Nikki dropped Jodi's exam paper on the floor. Whether she did it on purpose or whether it was genuinely accidental, is for her to know and for you to decide. As Nikki bent down to retrieve it, her navy blouse came slightly un-tucked from her trousers at the back and she casually looked over her right shoulder. From the corner of her eye she saw that Lorraine's gaze was fixed on the small amount of skin that could be seen. It suddenly dawned on Nikki that the look in Lorraine's eyes was of pure longing and admiration. Nikki turned her head just in time to see Lorraine overt her gaze and focus on something else as Nikki stood up and turned to re-face her. Lorraine's heart was still pounding as she stared at Nikki nervously. Nikki then decided that by the look in Lorraine's eyes there was no reason to think she didn't feel the same, so took a small step closer to her. Now they were incredibly close to each other and as Lorraine took a nervous deep breath, her nose was filled with the sweet smell of Nikki's perfume. Nikki reached out and carefully guided Lorraine's handbag off her shoulder and onto the floor next to where they stood. Lorraine then felt Nikki's left hand gently touch her hip, the fabric of her brightly coloured dress was soft to the touch. She lifted her right hand towards Lorraine's mouth and delicately placed her finger on her lips with a smile...and Lorraine smiled back. As Nikki let her hand slowly slide from Lorraine's lips, both women realised that their worries had been quite pointless. Lorraine's heart was still beating fast but now not only out of angst but anticipation aswell. She placed her hand on the waistband of Nikki's trousers and suddenly felt Nikki grab hold of her other hip to pull her in close to her. As their bodies touched, their lips locked too. As Nikki's lips caressed Lorraine's, Lorraine closed her eyes and felt something she hadn't felt in so long; maybe never; she felt content with who she was kissing, she felt real passion. Nikki pulled backwards and looked at Lorraine, who's eyes were now open and gleaming with a hint of confusion, just checking that what she was doing wasn't a bad idea. Lorraine reached her small, perfectly manicured hand up to Nikki's cheek and pulled her head back towards her again. Lorraine's worry and angst had completely disappeared and suddenly all she wanted to do was hold Nikki and kiss her. Nikki pressed her lips into Lorraine's, the lip gloss on her smooth lips tasted like sweet strawberries. Nikki inhaled and her nose was met with the sensuous scent of Lorraine's obviously expensive perfume, which made Nikki's eyelids flutter shut. Lorraine's arms were now both wrapped around Nikki's waist, the rapid beat of her heart could be felt by Lorraine as she held her tightly. Nikki smiled, mid-kiss, and reached up to run her fingers through Lorraine's perfect blonde curls. Lorraine's eyes filled with anticipation, Nikki monopolised her thoughts. As she moved her arm, there was a knock on the office door, Lorraine regretfully pulled her head away from Nikki's but didn't leave her embrace.
"You nearly done in there ladies? 'Cause you know Michael don't like me leavin' you in the office sis, and I need to pee so can you 'urry up?" Sonia called out through the door, Lorraine was surprised and relieved that the door remained closed.
"Come on Sonia, two minutes won't harm. We're just finishing up a bit of paperwork," Lorraine mischievously glanced at Nikki, then continued, "Anyway, what am I going to do if you're not sat outside, that I wouldn't do otherwise? I'm not a child, this is *my* school. I pay the bills!" Lorraine replied relatively kindly whilst still slightly goading Sonia into leaving herself and Nikki alone for just another minute or two more.
"Okay, but if Michael asks where I am you better have my back! You got that?" Sonia called back rapidly, clearly struggling to control her bladder.
"Yes Sonia, now quick, off you go!" Lorraine laughed.
"Oh Lorraine, you do have a sneaky way about you!" Nikki smirked.
"Shut up!" Lorraine joking replied. As Nikki went to protest, she was silenced by the feel of Lorraine's lips on hers. After a few seconds Nikki pulled away from Lorraine, looked her in the eyes and said, "D'you fancy going for a drink later?"
After a moment of deliberation Lorraine slowly nodded her head like a nervous teenager. Nikki smiled; trying terribly hard not to giggle at Lorraine's apprehensiveness; then gave in and let out a quiet laugh of admiration.
"Oi!" Lorraine announced, herself now giggling.
"I'll pick you up at eight then?" Nikki asked, still smirking.
"Yes, see you then!" Lorraine replied, with nothing but delight showing on her face.
At 8:15pm, Nikki and Lorraine arrived at an up-market pub about 10 minutes from where they would usually drink with friends from work. Nikki was wearing a plain white t-shirt, a tailored burgundy blazer, black skinny jeans and a pair of burgundy Converse boots. As she stood waiting for Lorraine to get out of the car, she had her hands in the pockets of her jeans. Lorraine stayed in the car for a minute or two once Nikki had got out, mostly just because she was admiring Nikki but didn't quite feel comfortable admitting it to her.
Once Lorraine did get out of the car and start to walk towards the pub, Nikki could see Lorraine's outfit properly for the first time...and oh wasn't it worth it! Lorraine was wearing a sapphire blue dress; which just touched her knees; with a cream collar and cream brogues. Her hair was neatly clipped up on top of her head. Nikki sighed happily as she sped up slightly to catch up with Lorraine.
They sat at a table in the corner which had a red leather sofa one side and two chairs at the other, Lorraine with a glass of red wine and Nikki with a bottle of lager. They sat in silence for a moment, both too nervous to say anything. Nikki was looking at Lorraine, admiring her, quietly thinking of what to say so she didn't embarrass herself. That didn't work so well and she *did* end up embarrassing herself...but it broke the ice and once they started talking they couldn't stop. After a while they had both finished their drinks so Lorraine offered to go and get another. Whilst Lorraine was at the bar, Nikki decided to move over on the sofa to make room for Lorraine to sit there...hoping she would take the hint. As Lorraine was walking back with the drinks, she saw that Nikki had moved over, internally panicked for a moment and then muttered "Fuck it." under her breath. She placed the drinks on the table and sat down next to Nikki, who swears her heart stopped. To Nikki's surprise, Lorraine placed a hand onto her leg and smiled mischievously. That smile is enough to drive anyone crazy. Nikki, who was already struggling to contain her feelings before Lorraine had sat by her, saw that as a signal to kiss her... so that's exactly what she did. She took Lorraine's hand in hers, leant forward and kissed. Neither cared what the few other people in the pub thought. Their thoughts were consumed by each other. Lorraine pulled away with a mysterious look on her face, whilst still holding onto Nikki's hand she downed her second glass of wine in one go and gestured at Nikki to finish up her second lager. Lorraine whispered something into Nikki's ear with a giggle and after a nod from Nikki, stood up, still not letting go of her hand. The two walked out of the pub hand in hand, with a smile on their faces. Who know's what happened next!