Caroline's emotions are running full steam ahead. She knew that she was in love as she thought about no one else but Kate. Her insecurities and self-hatred were losing the great war of love. Caroline had been traumatized by her mother for being attracted to women and knew that she had to fit in with the normative standard of life. This meant a marriage, with a man. She buried her feelings and went with the prevailing standard. In John, she choose someone whose capacity of love and romance were minimal without any demand of emotional bonding. John married her, as he could see how much she loved him as a friend. It was easy, John was someone she could talk to about almost everything. It was obvious that her parents were anything but friends. So the decision to pursue and catch John was an easy one.
Kate understood all too well what courage and honesty meant. Being an English-Nigerian allowed her to see the new and old worlds at the same time. The old world was old fashioned, traditional and homophobic and dangerously so. The new world allowed for freedom, self-expression and individualism. This are English values learned from her mother, a regal and very intelligent English woman with the courage of conviction her daughter was raised with. Marrying out because of love and affection was not easily accepted 42 years ago. Yet Kate's parents managed by ignoring those who wished demonstrate their racism. This prejudice was rare and seldom showed. Kate like Caroline could not be out and proud, growing up. The acceptance she received from her Mum built the backbone that Kate walks with today. Kate's father was not told about her attraction to women until he was old and fragile. This was done as Kate and her mum did not want a forced marriage to take place. Kate also took the socially normative route until her confidence in herself grew and the acceptance of self that comes from age and maturity.
"We are so similar it's scary." Caroline said to Kate in which Kate nodded in agreement. "Two sides of the same coin" Kate replied. They were on their way to a viewing of a house Caroline had been very excited about. The old home had a very small Chapel like room with a Wurlitzer Grade 8 organ. Caroline was overjoyed to think of the organ would be the one thing Kate would love. The house the bulk of the accommodation is in 1970s/80s brick extensions tucked away to the rear of the building. An un-kept and overgrown front garden with a cement horse shoe driveway, leading to a double car garage at the side of house.
As they drove up, Kate wrinkled her face at the sight of this seemingly condemned building. She wondered why Caroline would even conceive of booking the viewing, must less being so excited to bring Kate here. Caroline explained the cost of the home would be around 500K with an allowance to spruce up the outside. Caroline smiled devilishly saying "I have a surprise for you!" As they made their way through the first floor with it's marble floors, chandeliers and faux frescos on every wall and ceiling in the sitting rooms and dining room. The kitchen was great with professional grade ovens and stoves, and plenty of cabinets much like that in a school cafeteria kitchen. Caroline explained how these rooms could be salvaged with her keen sense of what was possible. All the while thinking about the "surprise."