"Why is it that I'm always waiting for you?"

Imogen was sitting on the edge of the bed waiting for someone to emerge from the bathroom.

"I'll just be five minutes, I have to finish my hair." Constance briefly stuck her head out of the door as she answered. Her hair was half up, not in the usual high bun but in a lower French pleat that she was thoroughly pinning.

"It's funny. I could have sworn you were a witch? Isn't there some sort of spell that you can use to do that?" Imogen made herself more comfortable as she sat on the purple bedspread, this could take a while.

Deciding she didn't really need the mirror any more Constance emerged still placing pins in the hairstyle as she spoke. "Well, yes there is but I only use it if I absolutely have to."

"Why? Surely it's more efficient. Isn't that your thing, efficiency?"

There was a half sigh half laugh from the witch. "It is efficient but it also causes what I have heard the girls refer to as 'Lego Hair'.

As they left the castle through the main door Imogen was still laughing. The image was funny enough but it was the way that her friend had admitted she had no idea what the reference was about that made her laugh even harder.

In the past two months she and Constance had become, to everyone's surprise, the best of friends. Since that night in the pub they had forged a bond that was getting stronger by the day. It wasn't just their common interests that drew them together, some of their differences also added to their relationship.

For Imogen, Constance had been a great help when it came to adding some structure to her lesson plans. She had also given some helpful advice on dealing with the more challenging students, not just detention but setting ground rules that meant they knew where they stood. While she herself was very strict with the girls it made sense based on the subject she taught. P.E didn't have to be quite as rigid but still benefited from some more organisation.

In return Constance had found her friend to be a massive support when it came to writing her academic papers. Although she didn't understand witchcraft as such, Imogen had a good way with words and was always happy to proofread. In an encouraging and helpful manner she would point out where something could be more concise or explained in a clearer way that may appeal to more people. It had made a big difference and Constance was beginning to feel far more confident in regards to submitting her work to some of the magical journals.

"So, you still haven't told me where we're going?" Constance sat in the passenger seat of Imogen's car awaiting a response. It was early on a Saturday evening and all she knew was that they were leaving the village and going to the next town.

"Don't get your hopes up, it's nothing very exciting. I saw in the paper that West Side Story is on at the cinema. I thought we'd go to the early show of that and then maybe go for a drink and something to eat afterwards. What do you think?"

"Oh, I haven't see that film for years. That sounds wonderful."

It still amused Imogen that the same woman who tutted at the possible of electricity in the castle loved going to the cinema. This was the sixth or seventh film they had been to see together and the joy she took in this simple activity was lovely to see.

"Just because I think the school should remain magically authentic it doesn't mean that outside the castle walls needs to be so severe. The students all have access to modern conveniences when they go home just like when I go to see my parents I do. Besides, since I was a young girl I have enjoyed going to the cinema. My grandmother used to take me at the weekend and it was very special. I suppose this allows me the chance to relive those times."

Constance had shared her reasoning after they had first gone to the pictures and was just another side to the woman that Imogen was enjoying getting to know.

The film was as good as they had both remembered and they were chatting happily about it as they left the screen a couple of hours later.

"Im glad you enjoyed it. Now, how about that drink, there's a bar at the end of the road that does good food? I'm starving."

They entered the busy bar and after ordering some food and drinks spent time talking and carrying out one of Imogen's favourite activities, people watching.

"I just love making up little stories about people in my head. Like those two there. Are they married? Having an affair? Or that man over there, he looks like he's some sort of musician, maybe he's famous and we just don't know him. What?"

Shaking her head Constance responded, "You have a very vivid imagination, you should have been a writer, not a P.E teacher.

Over their meal they moved onto some different topics. "So Delia wasn't at the last Cauldronite meeting?"

"No, Apparently she was sick, an unlikely story. I did hear from someone that her latest paper was deemed unworthy of publishing."

Imogen grinned at the smug look on the face across from her. "Not that you're pleased about that or anything?"

"No. Of course not." The big smile gave her away completely but she really didn't care. She could be extremely open with Imogen and it was a lovely feeling.

"So, I'm not sure if you've noticed but that woman at the bar has been looking a you for the past twenty minutes or so? Don't be too obvious but the one in the blue top."

Discreetly Constance looked at the person in question. "Straight."

"Pardon?"

"She is straight, no question. If she is actually looking at me, which I doubt, I have no interest. I've been there before with women who want to try something a bit different and ultimately I'm the one who ends up hurt. As you know I have had enough of that. Besides, you are the one who told me that I should embrace being single. That's exactly what I'm doing."

"Well, so far I appear to be a failure as a wing woman. I'll try and do better next time."

Having never heard the expression before Constance was confused. "A what?"

"A wing woman. You scope out the area for your friend to help them find someone. Seriously, how have you never heard that phrase?"

"But it makes no sense? If I was to find someone I was interested in I'd hardly leave you alone while I went off to talk to them. What a strange idea."

Imogen shook her head in amusement and made her way up to the bar. As she waited for her orange juice and Constance's gin and tonic she found herself next to the woman in question.

"Excuse me, I think you caught me looking earlier and I wanted to apologise. It's just that your girlfriend has very striking hair and I couldn't help but admire it. I hope you weren't offended."

Imogen was too shocked to respond. They didn't look like a couple did they? They were just two friends who were out for the night. She shook her head and managed to mumble a "No" before walking back to their table pondering the assumption. Something struck her as she sat down. She wasn't opposed to the idea. In fact she had felt a tingle when her friend had been so horrified at the thought of leaving her alone.

Pushing the thought out of her head for now she brought up a conversation they had started a couple of days beforehand.

"So Amelia is still keen for me to do something with the first years where they see me as really being in charge. I want to but I'm not sure how they'll respond to my camping plan."

Constance shook her head, "I think some will hate it but others will enjoy it. You can't please everyone, it's pointless trying. The fact is, they are under our care during the school year and they don't really get a choice. We all have to do things we don't want to at times."

There was a sneaky smirk across the table. "I'm glad you said that."

Which was how Constance found herself trudging through the woods as Drusilla Paddock failed miserably at map reading. A simple spell would have helped them but as part of her 'back to nature' drive, Imogen had banned magic.

That was one inconvenience. The second was having to share their temporary living space with a bunch of mountain rangers and their exceptionally good natured leader.

It was clear to Constance straight away that this Mr Dubois had a bit of a thing for Imogen. The way he was hanging on her every word and standing especially close to her did make it rather obvious. Once the girls had left for their scavenger hunt it became even more apparent, he only had eyes for one person in the room.

That was until it started to snow.

"I should have known they'd start messing around." It was a pity but Constance really could have predicted that there wasn't a chance the no magic rule would stick with a bunch of adolescent witches. The resulting snow storm was both inconvenient and dangerous and she would be having serious words with the first years when they got back to school.

Although she had resolved the issue there was something playing on her mind. For the first time in months she had fallen out with Imogen and she felt terrible about it. Yes, she had laboured the point about the no magic rule being ridiculous a bit too much but it had always been her intention to help. There was no way she would have allowed the girls or anyone else in the area to be in danger. She knew she had been too severe though, something in her mind had caused her to revert to her old defence tactics and right now she wasn't feeling too good about herself.

Outside Imogen was also feeling rather out of sorts. Although she was enjoying seeing the girls have fun she missed Constance and wanted her to join them. She had only sat with them for a couple of minutes before making an excuse and going back to the cabin. The fact that they had bickered was making her feel sick to her stomach. Yes, Constance had gone into 'HB' mode but she also had not helped the situation. Banning magic altogether had been a bad idea that had backfired on her. Thankfully her friend had stopped the snow before things got really bad but not after they had exchanged rather heated words.

"Serge, would you mind keeping an eye on the girls? I'll just be a moment." She was aware of the ranger's eyes watching her as she made her way to the cabin. It felt strange to have someone show such an interest in her, she couldn't remember the last time it had happened. He was a nice guy and certainly not bad looking but she wasn't sure how she felt about his attention. However now she had a bigger issue to resolve.

"Im sorry." Constance and Imogen both looked at each other and laughed after apologising at exactly the same.

"No I am, I was awkward and difficult and I know I embarrassed you in front of Mr Dubois."

Imogen shrugged, "Yes you were awkward but I was too stubborn to listen and came running for help when I needed it. I'm not surprised you were annoyed at me. I should have respected the fact you are completely out if your comfort zone but instead I made things more difficult for you. You're not the same person in front of the girls or with strangers that you are with me, I forgot that for a minute."

One evening Constance had confessed to Imogen that the fact that the girls had been witness to some of her more difficult moments with her ex made her feel ashamed. As a result she felt that she always had to be her toughest self with them. She should never have allowed her former relationship to have mixed with her school life but it had been difficult to tell Delia to stay away, in fact at times the need to please had caused her to invite the visits. Something she had bitterly regretted when she became the focus of teenage gossip on a regular basis.

"Shall we agree to forget about it? I don't like fighting with you Imogen, you're my best friend and what we have is incredibly important to me. I'd hate to lose it."

"You won't."

The hugged for a moment, both glad to have resolved their problem.

"Why don't you come out and join us? It's not too cold and the girls have settled down."

Constance shook her head. "No thank you. I'm going to finish my tea and read my book. Unless you need a wing woman this time?" She saw the surprised look and continued. "Oh come on, it's very clear that you have an admirer. I'm happy to help you out if you need but I feel I might be in the way. Go on, I'll be fine, you can tell me what happens on the way back tomorrow morning."

Imogen tried to ignore the knot that appeared in her stomach at the words. She knew they were just friends, just because Constance was gay it didn't mean she automatically fancied every woman in the world. It was just that ever since that night in the bar she had sometimes found herself entertaining a certain idea. Apparently it was a one sided one.

"Hmm, well if you're sure. I'd better get back out to them. If you're in bed when I get back I'll see you in the morning. Sleep well."

In fact Constance was in bed when everyone arrived back, but she wasn't asleep. As she lay in the dark room she stared at the ceiling and tried to ignore the feeling in the pit of her stomach. She didn't go for straight women, that was her rule. Except, somehow this time she had found herself wondering what it would be like to be more than just friends with Imogen.

"She likes men. I knew that but now I have the proof. Why did I even entertain the notion that she would somehow change her mind?"

The bus journey on the way home only made it worse. She herself was making it worse.

"So, did he ask you out?" The gnawing feeling began to grow.

Imogen blushed as she nodded, "He did, next Sunday."

"And are you going to go?"

She may have tried to convince herself that it was bus that was making her feel ill but Constance knew she was only lying to herself. In fact it was the answer that made her want to get sick.

"Yes."

A/N Will she actually go? We'll see. Thanks for reading and reviews are always welcome.