A bit of a change of how the dynamics of this story will play out, just to shake things up a bit. Please let me know what you think, thank you for reading. xx

Caroline couldn't help the smile that so easily spread across her lips as the thought crossed her mind. "John is cheating on me" she blurted out , Gillian snapped round the drunken haze lifting in the light of the conversations turn "and your happy about that?". "No!" She couldn't help sound defensive aggressive "well your smiling Caroline", Caroline blushed "not about that, but I've got a new neighbor and she's lovely. She invited me for coffee and well I can talk to her. Like I talk to you, I told her about John she's only known me a few weeks but she knew something was wrong". She paused for thought "it's weird but I feel like I've known her forever, like I feel like I've know you for ever. We were talking and she's helped me through the initial stages of the implications Johns infidenlity have brought". Gillian turned to face her more intrigued "well she must be special if she's got you talking to her about anything but the weather", Caroline chuckled. "I'm not that frosty am I?" She watched Gillian seriously "well no, but you don't let your guard down easily".

Caroline nodded she knew what she meant, she had been stunned at her own behavior she thought back to their first meeting. The smile again growing on her lips, "so you've made a friend I'm glad Caroline. I mean I'm sure she's not as fun and entertaining as I am, but you can't hold that against the poor women. Not many can match my intelligent witty persona" Gillian offered watching Caroline crease into giggles again. "I'll try not to be offended you find that so funny, so anyway tell me about her, John".

Caroline shuffled "I dunno really she's just moved in to the cottage next door, I know she's divorced but I don't know any details. She's a teacher but she's new to the area I get the impression the divorce was not enjoyable and she needed a fresh start. She likes the same wine as me which in itself makes me like her straight away" she smirked watching Gillian's full attention on her.

"she is very articulate she makes me laugh, and we just started talking About life in general we got close. So I ended up telling her about John and we've had a few night with a bottle of wine trying to put the worlds to rights. I've not decided what to do about John, I haven't told him I know yet. Part of me thinks we have lived separate lives for so long we don't even feel married anyway, so what's the point in upsetting and up heaving the boys with a divorce. Maybe I could just muddle along as we have for the last 10 years, I can't say his affair hasn't hurt me but not as much as it should have me being his wife".

Caroline fiddled with the ring on her finger twisting it at war with her own thoughts, "The prick, so how did you find out?" Gillian took her hand in hers. " About a mouth ago he told me he had gone to his publishers but when I rang them to speak to him he wasn't there. I went into town to do some shopping, and saw his car parked outside the new flats, you know at the top of the hill where mum and dad looked at bungalows".

Gillian nodded having some idea where she meant, "it just so happened he came out of the flat and I saw them kissing. So well I did some digging and I think it's been going on for months there are a few hotel bills ect for when he said he was away writing, but he was still in driving distance of home. So it makes no sense for him to stay the night in a hotel and well he's just been more distant from me, but worse he seems to have a spring in his step.

Which I have to conclude is because he's getting some, because we haven't slept together in over 6 months and even then it wasn't anything to write home about". Gillian's face softened "oh Caroline why didn't you come and talk to me", Caroline shrugged "I know your busy and well we had tonight planned so I thought I'd wait to see you. Things between me and John have been over for a long time both muddling along trying to avoid the truth that we don't love each other anymore, that we are both unhappy. I don't talk about it with anyone it's easier to pretend to everyone else I'm fine".

Gillian pulled her in for a hug her sister slumping against her finally loosing the resolve of she wasn't bothered. The tears free falling seeping through Gillian's shirt "ill fucking kill him, the little weasel". Caroline laughed "that's... Well appealing.. but I don't think that will solve the problem, I'm going to see a lawyer on Wednesday with Kate to see where I stand legally with the house Ect... Before I do anything.

It's strange but I'm not really upset about him cheating, it's more that I've been trying so hard to pretend I'm fine with how things are. When actually I've been so unhappy for such a long time, and he's out there doing god knows what, and he really must be fine. He's obviously not crying himself to sleep at night, driving around for hours after work just to avoid going home and having to put a smile on. I resent him because he's happy and I'm bloody miserable!" She gasped for air as the sobs racked her body once again.

Gillian help her for a long time, before pulling her close, and lifting her chin "your an amazing woman Caroline. But everybody needs somebody in their corner I'm always here for you, I'm glad you have at least had Kate to talk to... It must have been awful.

Caroline's eyes met Gillian's, "Kate has been wonderful" the smile inadvertidly returned at the mention of her name, which Gillian couldn't help but notice. Not many people got close to Caroline Elliot but this woman had done more than that, she had obviously made a huge impact and won her trust.