Hope

Kate sat enjoying an after school drink with her friend Cynthia, she was sitting quietly and thinking about her boss,
whom she and Cynthia had previously been talking about, she knew she had a thing for Caroline. That sounds so childish she thought. A thing!, a thing for goodness sake . I haven't thought like this since I was a teenager.

"I don't know exactly how it happened, but it did. I would not have anticipated the effect it had on me though".

"What are you talking about? that doesn't make sense? Cynthia spoke up

"You haven't been really listening to me have you?" Kate sighed, realising she had been waffling on and she probably hadn't made much sense.

"I am still talking about my boss, Caroline Elliot."

"Oh not her again," replied Cynthia. "I thought you didn't like her, I distinctly recall you saying that at some point to me."

"I do NOT recall say anything like that at all." Kate grinned knowing Cynthia was stirring her up.

"What caused this big turn around?"

"It wasn't a turn around, as such," Kate said truthfully,

"I accidentally fell on her today at school. I almost squashed her." Kate giggled

"You What?"

"I accidentally fell on her." kate repeated

"Kate McKenzie!. You have fantastic balance, you don't accidentally fall on anyone."

"I was ogling her legs," Kate smirked. "I wasn't paying attention to where I was walking, I tripped over a damn pot plant, and as I fell I grabbed onto anything I could, and that closest anything happend to be Caroline herself. As I fell to the ground I took her with me." Kate blushed.

"We ended up sprawled together on the lawn right outside the administration offices, people came running from everywhere, thinking about it now it was funny, but at the time I was so embarrassed I couldn't think straight."

"I would of expected that would of killed any feelings of friendship that she perhaps had, or was going to have for you." Cynthia laughed

"Well that's the thing, she thought it was funny she had tears of laughter pouring down her face, whilst I stood there red in the face with embarrassment.

"What happend after that?" Cynthia asked

"Nothing," said Kate.

"Nothing?"

"Nothing to speak of really,"

"Kate McKenzie. I know you well. There is a gleam in your eye."

"Yes there is," Kate laughed. "A big gleam, a dirty big gleam, a huge gleam. I am gleaming" she laughed.

"Oh very smart for a language teacher I don't think." Cynthia joked. "So what now oh clumsy one?" she enquired

"I don't know," Kate sighed. "I would dearly like something to happen between us. She is beautiful, and intelligent, and have I mentioned her legs?" Kate smiled." Also I assume she is straight, I do know she has been married, and has two boys, they attend Sulgrave Heath school.

"That doesnt meant a thing Kate, you've been married." Cynthia said kindly

"I know I have." Kate affirmed.

"Perhaps I need to think about things differently, I am worried if I get this wrong, if I rush into this, I could damage any chance I could have with her, If I do get a chance that is. When I helped her up from the ground after our accident. I thought I saw something in her eyes."

"Then there are other times I catch her looking at me. Oh I dont know perhaps I am imagining this because I want it so badly." Kate reflected

"You deserve some happiness after all you've been through Kate. If you want this relationship... IF you want this relationship.." Cynthia repeated, seeing kate about to interrupt. "Maybe it's time for you to stop sitting on your hands and take a chance, like your always telling me to do."

"Not fair to use my own words against me," Kate smiled, "But point taken."

"And acted upon?"

"Yes and acted upon." Kate promised.

"When?"

"I don't know when? but I will try, I promise you that, if I do get an opportunity, If a chance does arrive. I will be jumping in with my two left feet.

Did that psychic you went to see have anything to do with your slightly different way of thinking nowadays? . Pray tell miss non-believer," Cynthia smirked.

"Perhaps she does," Kate said thoughtfully

"Well it's your lucky day then," Cynthia whispered to Kate. "Guess who just walked through the door?"

"Who? what! Who? Kate said twisting her neck looking around. "Caroline?. I have never seen her in here before. Kate whispered back.

Caroline seeing Kate, started weaving her way through the crowd to her table.

"Kate." Caroline greeted Kate with a huge smile. "This is delightful seeing you here, am I interrupting?. she enquired,

"Caroline!. We were just talking about you." Kate stammered taken by surprise. "I dont believe I have ever introduced you properly to my good friend Cynthia before, Cynthia this is my boss. Caroline Elliot."

"Nice to meet you," Cynthia said smiling her welcome. "Here take my seat I was just leaving, I have a few errands I need to run before supper, it was nice meeting you today Caroline.. properly," Cynthia joked. "Kate has spoken of you often, all good things I might add." she laughed.

"Hopefully next time I can stay longer and we can gossip about Miss Kate McKenzie here." With an infectious giggle Cynthia was gone.

"Did I chase your friend away Kate?, I am sorry if i did." Caroline looked worriedly at Kate.

"No no, she had to leave," Kate spoke earnestly reassuring Caroline. "Can I order you a drink?, would you like a wine?

"A white wine would be lovely thank you Kate, this is nice." Caroline remarked looking around the pub. "Very cosy" she smiled, "Do you come here often?, shit that sounds like a cheesy pick up line. Sorry." She smiled at Kate, who somehow managed to smile back.

"So you were talking about me were you?" Caroline teasingly looked at Kate.

"I was just telling Cynthia how I bowled you over at school today,"

"More like a rugby tackle," Caroline laughed.

"You were a good sport about it Caroline, I do appreciate that,"

"It was nothing, it brightened up my day to be honest, far too often I am stuck in the world of paperwork, pupils and not always pleasant parents. Mind you it wasn't pleasant to be flattened like a pancake on the grass." Caroline joked, " But I have had worse days," she said smiling at Kate

Smiling back Kate asked." Have you eaten Caroline, would you like to join me in ordering a meal?"

"Yes! I would thank you. Kate. I would like that very much." Caroline replied smiling

After finishing their hearty pub meal, and groaning together how much they had eaten, they sat back and agreed how delicious their meals had been.

"I dont usually eat that much," groaned kate rubbing her stomach.

"Nor do I and if I did I would be known as ten-ton Tess." Caroline added ruefully.

"Caroline can I ask you something?" Kate said a little nervously

"Ask away," said Caroline sitting a little closer to kate.

"Why did you seek me out here tonight?, I was going to ask you before we had our meal, but to be completely honest I was afraid if I did, you would disappear."

"Kate I dont how to answer that exactly. As I was driving past, I saw your car in the car park and thought. Well I don't know what I was thinking really. I just wanted to see you, spend some time with you, if I sound daft, you can imagine how I am feeling trying to explain something, I don't quite understand myself."

"I do know this feels important to me. I would like us to be, if your agreeable that is, good friends. Can we start there?" Caroline quietly asked

"I am agreeable," kate said grinning. "More than agreeable," she said to a smiling Caroline,

Feeling a little more confident now, Kate took Caroline's hand in hers, who smiled and didn't seem to mind the small familiar gesture.