Hello folks, sorry about the absence, life has been hectic but you know how the saying goes 'absence makes the heart grow fonder.'
Let's hope so!
Part Two – Everything Happens for a Reason
A dull ache roused Caroline from her slumber, or was it the light streaming into her bedroom from the open curtains? Whatever it was, she wanted to return to the dream she was having.
A woman with white hair was giving her fizzy pink wine and then a dark haired beauty arrived carrying grapes. Then Caroline reached out to the white haired woman…
She sat bolt upright in bed and covered her mouth with her hand.
She had not experienced a dream like that in years. Not since before she started seeing Kate and when her latent physical needs were not being accurately met.
She quickly got up and went to the bathroom and splashed her face with cold water.
In the mirror she took in her flushed cheeks and her tired eyes. She could hear movement downstairs and Greg was obviously up and about with Flora.
Ariana and Joscelyn flashed through her mind again. She had spent a lovely evening with both of them. They had been forgiving of her crashing their dinner and when Caroline had tried to leave they were insistent that she stay and have more wine. As the night wore on Caroline became increasingly comfortable in their company but Ariana in particular fascinated her.
A loud groan came out of Caroline's throat as she sat on the loo and tried to remember what had happened the previous evening.
Had she cried about Kate?
No.
Had she cried about work?
No.
Had she cried at all?
No.
In fact, she recalled actually laughing on a couple of occasions and then she remembered that she had drunk so much she had to leave her car in town.
'Bollocks,' she muttered and stood up and ran the shower.
She had to go and get her car anyway so she might as well pay her new friends a visit and the thought of seeing Ariana again was not an unpleasant one, even if the woman was heterosexual and still grieving over her husband's death. They could still be friends couldn't they? Caroline was allowed to have friends. Good, looking, interesting, friends.
000
Ariana had reminded Caroline of the character from the Devil Wears Prada, a classy, gorgeous, middle-aged woman, with exquisite dress sense and a keen intelligence but a lot nicer in manner and attitude.
She had walked past Ariana's shop three times and peered in twice but could not see anyone.
'Aren't you going in?' an amused voice asked from behind her.
Caroline spun around. 'Joscelyn.'
'Just Joss,' the young woman's mouth curled up at the edges. 'Joscelyn is a mouthful,' she nodded for Caroline to follow her and they entered the shop.
A typical sounding bell jangled and Joss called for her mother.
Ariana appeared with a smile on her face.
'I'm glad she convinced you to come inside,' there was no denying the amusement.
Caroline sighed. 'Has everyone been watching me?'
'Not everyone,' Joss smirked. 'Just the two of us.'
'Hmm,' Caroline feigned annoyance and occupied her embarrassment by looking around the stunning shop.
It was exactly like Ariana, smooth, sleek and the picture of elegance.
A price tag caught Caroline's eye and even with her expensive tastes she inwardly let out a squeak at the number written on the old fashioned luggage tag, made of brown paper.
'What do you think?' Ariana motioned to the space around them.
A chandelier lamp caught Caroline's eye.
'That's gorgeous,' she said and fingered the crystal droplets of glass.
'Yes,' Ariana smiled. 'It's a one of a kind piece.'
'Oh God,' Joss laughed. 'You and your bloody, one of a kind pieces.'
Caroline watched the young woman walk away to the back of the shop and take off her coat.
'Would you like to join us for a cup of tea?' Ariana flicked back her hair and smiled.
'Well, I was actually going to ask if you might want to go out for coffee and a cake?' Caroline managed not to stumble over the query.
'Well,' Ariana put her hands on her hips. 'I don't have anyone to watch the shop,' her eyes trailed to where Joscelyn had disappeared and it only took a second.
'Yes you do!' the voice called. 'Bring me back some cake please!'
Ariana brightened. 'Well, it looks like my staff are willing.'
'Great!'
Ariana collected her handbag and changed out of her flat shoes into a pair of heels and they headed out into the sunshine.
'I wanted to thank you,' Caroline said as they ambled along side by side.
'For what?'
For what indeed?
For giving me an amazing dream experience?
'For extending kindness to me,' she eventually said. 'I am a stranger to you and you saved me from myself last night.'
Ariana nodded slowly. 'It was my pleasure.'
Caroline was automatically walking towards a trendy but rustic coffee shop that she had discovered not long ago.
'I feel that I should be up front with you though,' Ariana stopped walking and waited until Caroline's full attention was on her.
'About what?' a flush of dread filled Caroline.
'I don't really like coffee,' Ariana smiled.
They both laughed.
'So why did you agree to come with me?' Caroline smiled.
'Well, I do love cake,' Ariana linked her arm through the blonde's.
'That's a good reason.'
'And I also need to tell you that my daughter has an almighty crush on you,' Ariana said casually.
Oh bugger, bollocks shit!
'What?' Caroline stared at her new friend in amazement.
'Joss, she thinks you're, and I quote the most perfect woman that she has come across in years.'
'Oh,' for some reason Caroline could not catch her breath.
'So,' Ariana went on. 'Maybe she should be coming out for coffee with you.'
'Well,' Caroline left a silence hanging. 'I mean… I had no idea and I didn't think that…' her mind floated back to the dark eyes and the sultry beauty of Joss's face. 'Why would she say that about me?'
Blue eyes smiled at her. 'Because you are perfect,' but then Ariana was sad. 'And I think we might have a little bit of a problem to work out.'
Yes – Caroline thought. We really do.