Chapter 2

Caroline met her sons in the school library; finding William huddled over his GCSE homework and Lawrence with his earphones in, listening to music on his iPhone. Neither noticed her approach and she spent time studying them from the doorway. 'How can two boys be so different?' she pondered. William was by far the more studious, taking after his mother in that respect but with an academic preference for languages rather than science. It was not clear where Lawrence's love of sport came from but in character he was very much his father's son, with an irreverent sense of humour and often lacking focus, which reflected in the closeness that they shared.

'How did the interviews go?' William asked once they were in the Jeep heading home from Sulgrave.

'Interview? Why are you having an interview?' A half-listening Lawrence interrupted while fiddling with the car's cd player.

'Bloody plonker.' William whispered, so that his thirteen-year-old brother would not hear, and start an argument, and his mum wouldn't hear and think badly of him.

'Not me, Lawrence; for the language department. You know that Mrs Jarvis is to retire in the summer.'

'Oh, wow, did you interview that bird you were showing around the school earlier? You've got to appoint her, mum. She's a looker.' Lawrence's attention was suddenly concentrated more on the conversation than music.

'Lawrence!' Caroline chastised, while trying valiantly to stifle a smile.

'Well, she is. Pretty. Cool. I can't wait to tell Angus.'

'I appreciate the prompting, Lawrence, but we will not be appointing anyone based on your verdict. You'll not mention anything to anyone until it's officially announced.' Caroline responded firmly while inwardly agreeing with her younger son's appraisal of Ms Katherine McKenzie.

ooOoo

Kate was more than disappointed not to be able to speak to her mum after she arrived home so she consoled herself by sending an e mail.

'Hi Mum. Hope you're ok. I tried to Skype but I was later home than planned so I knew that you'd have started your day. Anyway, you're there and I'm here and we're used to these hiccups. I knew you'd want to hear how I got on.

Problems on the road and I had a terrible journey - I was late even though I'd left plenty of time. Not a positive start but they were very kind and waited for me. I think it went well, as much as I could tell. The chair of the governors, Gavin something or other, seems a bit of a pedant but they were a friendly lot. Dr Caroline Elliot's the head and she's been in post for about six years I reckon, based on the things that she said. She showed me around after. Fab school, facilities and grounds. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and I hope you are too. I so, so want this job. It's time to move on, I need it. They promised that they'll let me know by tomorrow so only one sleepless night to deal with. It will be so good to be nearer dad too. Speak soon.

Lots of love

Kate

P.S. Dr E is a stunning blonde and you should see the height of the heels that she struts around in!'

Kate read her mum's trans-Atlantic reply while she pushed her muesli around her bowl the following morning.

'Hi Kate

So, pleased to get your e mail but sorry I missed your call. Speak when you get your news? I've an office day tomorrow and should be able to answer. You've stayed strong after a terrible few years and I'm so proud of you. If this is what you want, my fingers AND toes are all crossed. I know you want to be able to visit your dad more often. What a bonus that Sulgrave is closer to him. As for the head, behave yourself! I know your weakness for blondes with long legs.

Speak soon, sweetheart.

Mum x'

ooOoo

The subject of Kate's admiration shared a rather different exchange just before midnight.

'Hello? I hope I didn't wake you. It's John.'

'Yes, I guessed that.' Caroline tutted to herself while looking at his photo on the screen of her smartphone. 'It is late but you didn't wake me. Don't tell me you've been bonding with Francis Hilliard until this time?'

'I wish. No chance. He was rather distant and left me to some junior sidekick most of the afternoon. Caroline, I'm struggling. I really don't know what they want from me. Don't think they're keen. Again.' His speech was hesitant and his words were slurred.

'So, you thought you'd improve your chances by drowning your sorrows, did you? What would you say to Lawrence if he thought he could increase his science result by going to rugby training?'

'That's different. Don't nag, Caroline. I need a miracle before I meet them again tomorrow.'

'Oh John, you're not going to magically get what you want. Get to bed. Set your alarm and spend some proper time on your script before you go back to Kershaw and Whittle in the morning. It's what you do, John. You're an author. You write books; they won't write themselves.'

'How would I manage without you, Caroline. You're right. I'll have a bottle of water from the mini bar to help clear my head and I'll do as you say. I'm assuming that everything is alright there.' John was trying hard to placate his wife while at the same time exasperated with her lack of empathy so there was a hint of disdain in his answer.

'All fine. Well, sort of. Mother's been here for supper. She did nothing but moan about Aunt Muriel who'd made the mistake of ringing her up to say that she's had her yearly bonus from Uncle Frank's pension fund and she's off on a cruise. Deep joy. You know she's touchy about pensions because of my dad. The boys sneaked off to their rooms after we had eaten and left me to it. Can't say I blame them. Anyway, John, it is late and I need, you need, to get to bed so we're ready to face whatever tomorrow brings. I hope you have a better meeting. Just focus and it will be fine. OK? Night, night.'

'Celia and Muriel. A real case of blood not being thicker than water. Poor you. See you tomorrow. Night.'

As she shut off the call Caroline was suddenly overcome with overwhelming tiredness accompanied by an acute sense of loneliness. How she wished at that moment to have a sister or someone in whom she could confide. Here she was with such a full and successful life, surrounded by people day in and day out but it seemed mostly that everyone needed her for something and her responsibilities weighed heavily. There had been a time when she and John had been partners, equals, but where had that balance gone? What had happened to the times when they shared family decisions and made plans together? When she didn't feel like she was his nursemaid? Her relationship with her mother too was now increasingly one-sided. She seemed to have to carry, mollify, support, and direct them both and she wondered, not for the first time in recent weeks, how much longer she could continue to do so. Finding a way to have some 'me' time might be just what she needed.

John, meanwhile, in his London hotel room went to the mini bar to do as he had promised his wife. But, weak-willed and feckless, his eyes lit on the row of spirits instead. 'What the heck. A few snifters won't hurt. They are free after all.'

ooOoo

'Morning, Caroline. You're in early.' Beverley poked her head around the door of the inner office as she took off her coat.

'You know what they say about the early bird. I'm hoping to catch a language teacher, though, not a worm!'' came the reply.

'Decision made to appoint, by the sounds of it. That must be a weight off your mind. It's certainly a weight off mine! Coffee?'

'When have you known me to decline such an offer? I'm just going to 'phone Kate McKenzie while you do that and then we can sit and sort the practicalities.'

Caroline looked again at the application forms and made brief notes on what Beverley should write to those who would receive a rejection letter. Putting Kate McKenzie's form on the top of the pile she picked up the cordless 'phone and checked her watch at the same time. Hopefully Kate had not started her day. Indeed, she had not and picked up on the third ring.

'Hello.'

'Hello, is that Kate McKenzie?' A faint buzz and some traffic noise indicated that the call had probably been answered via a car's Bluetooth.

'Yes, it is. Dr Elliot?'

'It is. Is it ok to talk?' Caroline wondered if there might be others listening in and she did not want to cause Kate any embarrassment.

'Of course. No problem.'

'That's good. My hope was to speak to you before you started school. Thank you for coming to the interview yesterday and I hope you had a good journey home. In any case it's a long drive and you must be tired today. Anyway, enough procrastination! I'm sure you'll want to know our decision.'

Kate's hands were gripping the steering wheel and she breathed a sigh of relief that she was approaching some on-street parking. She indicated left before pulling in to an available space, breathed deeply and tried to stay calm.

'Yes, I would. I am. Like to know. I am tired, I mean. You're right on both counts, that is.' Pulling a face in the rear-view mirror Kate inwardly chastised herself for coming out with such an inarticulate reply before adding 'It would seem I have a better command of French than English! Sorry for the waffle, Dr Elliot.'

'That's ok, Kate. Anyway, we were all very impressed by you and without prolonging your agony any longer I hope you still feel positive about Sulgrave Heath because we would very much like you to join us from the autumn term.' Kate was not the only one feeling anxious and Caroline found herself crossing the fingers of her free hand while she waited for a response.

'Wow, that's wonderful. I would love to accept.'

'You don't need time to consider?' Caroline had not yet released the tension in her hand.

'Gosh, no. I'd decided yesterday that I'd accept if I was offered. I feel honoured to be given the opportunity to work at Sulgrave. I hope it doesn't sound arrogant but you will not regret your decision. I won't let you down.'

'I'll be the first one to congratulate you, then. I'm so pleased to hear that you want to teach here. You should know that we have faith in you too, or you and I would not be having this conversation! Promising news for both of us, or so it would seem. I'll get Beverley to type up the formal offer today. Please get back to us if there's anything you would like to discuss once you've read the letter and contract. The pay scale is as we advised you yesterday.' Caroline felt herself relax for the first time since she dialled Kate's number. Although her usual professional self, she thought again how much she enjoyed chatting to this relative stranger.

'Just one thing for now, Dr Elliot. Would it be possible to spend time at the school to meet some of the staff and pupils before my official start?'

'Of course. I suggest that you look at our term dates on the website. It's likely that yours may differ, if the state schools here are any indication, and we'll arrange something to suit us both. Excellent idea. Oh, as you're going to be on staff, please call me 'Caroline' from now on. Have a good day, Kate.'

'Thank you. You too, Caroline.'