Chapter 1
The bench seemed so cold since the last time Tilly was here holding the Polaroid Esther had given her outside College Coffee. She knew then that everything was over, if love was forbidden it turned into less of a reality and more of a dream. Tilly had been coming here every day for the past three weeks hoping to see her again. Jen told her they couldn't be together but she couldn't just give up without fighting for her. It wasn't in Tilly's nature to give up so easily. A woman with dark hair sat next to Tilly. She turned and looked at the woman. The woman looked back. "I didn't think I'd see you here, Tilly" said Jen. "I can't forget about you" whispered Tilly. "What did you say?" Jen asked. "It- It was nothing" Tilly said nervously. "Tilly, I can't stop thinking about you. I try to but I can't." Tilly looked up at Jen, she was about to cry. Tilly grabbed her and pulled her closer. "It's okay Jen. Please don't cry."
Jen looked at Tilly. Her face was just perfect. Jen couldn't resist any longer she just grabbed Tilly and kissed her. She was terrified that if she let go, Tilly would disappear and it will have all been a dream. Tilly was taken by surprise, she made the most of it before Jen gave her famous we can't do this speech. After a while Tilly pulled away and just looked at Jen, waiting for her to say something. "I've missed you Tilly" she said. "I missed you too Jen. Do you want to get a coffee?" Jen just looked at her. "Seeing as you're not refusing, I'll take this as a yes." Jen nodded. They got up and grabbed their bags and made their way to College Coffee. They talked the whole way there. Tilly had grabbed Jen's hand and they had been walking through the village acting like a proper couple, just like Tilly had dreamed of. Tilly walked into the coffee shop first to make sure none of the sixth formers were there. Luckily Maddie, Sinead and George had gone shopping, while Bart and Jono were playing Xbox. Tilly signalled Jen to come in. Jen chose a sofa in the corner for them to sit on while Tilly went and ordered there drinks. Tilly had a Ginger bread latte while Jen had a White Mocha. They spent the afternoon drinking coffees and talking about art and politics.
Tilly's phone beeped. It was a text from Maddie:
'Hi Tils were gonna go get a coffee at College Coffee, do you wanna come?'
Tilly turned to Jen "We've got to go, now!" Jen looked confused "Why?" Tilly grabbed Jen's hand and pulled her up. "Maddie and the other sixth formers are coming in here for coffee so we have to go." Jen grabbed her things whilst Tilly waited outside. Maddie walked towards Tilly. "I see you've taken up my offer of a coffee then Tils?" Tilly looked shocked. "Erm, no I'm just about to go. I've got some coursework that needs to be done" said Tilly. "Oh right, I guess I'll see you tomorrow then" Maddie said disappointedly. "Yeah of course you'll see me tomorrow. " Tilly started to walk towards Jen's workshop. She picked up her phone and text Jen:
"Maddie saw me so I had to make an excuse so we wouldn't be seen together. I'm at your workshop so don't keep me waiting. Tilly XXX"
Jen was outside the coffee shop, she swore Tilly said she was going to be waiting outside for her. Then her phone beeped and saw Tilly's text. Jen made her way to her workshop to find the red head. When Jen got to her workshop there was a note on the door:
I knew you'd come. I'm in the workshop, come and find me. Tilly X
Jen opened the door of the workshop. Inside it was pitch black; Jen went to turn on the lights. Jen's workshop was made up of two rooms. The main workspace and an office. Jen couldn't she Tilly in the main workspace so she went to look in the office. The office had a locked cupboard that acted as Jen's wardrobe for the nights when she stayed and worked late. There was a sofa in the corner and a desk on the other side of the room. Jen went over to her desk and saw that one of the draws was open. Jen walked over to the cupboard and opened the door. Tilly leaped out of the cupboard and put her arms around Jen. "You found me" said the red head. Jen laughed "I thought you were more mature than playing hide and seek in my workshop." Jen smiled. Tilly looked at the teacher. "I thought it would be fun and you seem to be enjoying yourself." said Tilly. "Why are you always so cute when your right." Tilly grabbed Jen and pulled her closer. "Because I enjoy being right." Tilly placed a soft kiss on the teacher's lips. "Are you going to do that every time you're right?" "Maybe" replied the red head. Jen looked at the clock, it was 10.30. Tilly followed Jen's movements and found herself also looking at the Clock. "Oh, I was meant to be back at 9.30 to say goodbye to my parents before they go off on their trip" said Tilly. "Do you still think they'd be at home as I can drive you?" replied Jen. "No, they'd be long gone by now." Jen grabbed Tilly and walked her to the car outside her workshop and opened the door. Jen looked over at Tilly and said "I can still give you a lift if you want. It's not safe to walk on your own in the dark. Not while there's a murderer on the loose." Jen opened the door and Tilly got in the blue Jeep. Jen walked round to the driver's side and climbed in.
Jen drove to Tilly's house and parked up. Jen looked at the clock on the dashboard it was 11 o'clock. Diane and Sinead would be asleep by now and if she woke them there would be a confrontation in the morning. "Jen, you can stay over if you want my parents aren't going to be back until Friday?" said Tilly. "Are you sure? I mean we don't have to rush into anything, we've only just gotten together." replied Jen "I didn't mean like that. You and your one track mind Miss Gilmore. It's getting late and I'm pretty sure Sinead won't be happy if you interrupt her beauty sleep, now will she? Besides the spare room is made up so you can sleep in there." said Tilly, Jen nodded her head and Tilly jumped out the car and walked up the stairs to her front door to unlock it while Jen got some stuff from the car. Tilly opened the door and Jen followed behind. "So do you want anything to eat before we go to bed." asked Tilly. "I can make you whatever you want." Jen looked around at all the paintings in the hallway before regaining her trail of thought. "Erm a cup of a tea and toast is fine thanks." Tilly goes into the kitchen to make some food for the pair. Jen wondered around the house looking at all the sculptures and the pieces of art work hanging from the walls. Before ending up in the living room staring and a large canvas painting above the mantel piece small. All of them were signed TE in capital letters in the corner of each of the paintings. "Tilly, did you paint all of these?" asked Jen. "Yeah, when we moved here I said that I didn't mind what house it was as long as I could pick out the paint, carpets and art work." answered Tilly. "There amazing all the different colours and angles." said Jen. Tilly walked into the living room carrying a plate of toast and two mugs of tea; she placed them on the coffee table and joined Jen who was still admiring her art work. "I'm glad you like them." said Tilly. "Of course I like them, you're a talented artist. You're my talented artist." replied Jen. After spending a while curled up on the sofa Jen and Tilly decided to call it a day and go upstairs to bed. Walking along the landing Tilly said "Jen, the bathrooms down the hall and here is a t-shirt and some shorts to wear." Tilly hugged Jen and gave her a good night kiss before going into her room. Jen had finished in the bathroom she walked across the landing and saw Tilly's bedroom door was open, just a little bit. She peered round the door and saw the teen fast asleep. Jen walked into the room, she couldn't resist watching the teen sleep. She sat in the chair in the corner and spent the night watching Tilly sleep before Jen herself, drifted off to sleep.