The rest of the weekend went very slow for Caroline. Lawrence didn't come home from Angus' until mid-afternoon and was still quite angry with her so she decided to leave him alone to stew. William was in his room revising for his mock exams and simply didn't need Caroline fussing over him.
She spent most of Sunday in her office attempting to work. When she wasn't looking out of the window and thinking about Kate, she was making new To Do lists and crossing off things she had already done on her old ones. Caroline was finding it extremely hard to concentrate on anything other than the night before when she had kissed Kate and told her she was falling in love with her. She constantly picked up her mobile thinking that she might have missed a text message or a call. And she looked at her watch frequently, willing the minutes and hours to tick by so that she could go to bed, wake up on Monday morning, go to work and see Kate.
Kate was in the same situation. Her raw and uncultured feelings for Caroline had surfaced the week before so she had had more time to process them and to work out what she might want to do with them. However, she had never expected how she would feel when Caroline had kissed her. That was something else!
Who would have thought that Dr Elliot, the one whom the teachers often referred to as "Mrs Frosty Knickers" was so passionate and sexy. Kate would almost describe her as smouldering. That was certainly how she had left her feeling the night before. If Kate was the first woman that Caroline had kissed, she must have been read some very steamy novels.
However, Kate knew she had to hold back. This was all new territory for Caroline. She had been married for 18 years and had 2 sons. She didn't want to move too fast and regret everything later.
When Caroline arrived at work on Monday, Beverley was already sat at her desk in the outer office.
"Good Morning Dr Caroline." She was the only one who ever got away with calling her that. To Caroline, it was a term of endearment. "Someone looks like they had a good weekend. Did you do anything nice?"
Caroline stopped briefly at Beverley's desk and balanced her large bag on the end of it. She looked at her with a dreamy look on her face.
"Yes, I did thank you. Our school was victorious in the inter-school choir competition and I spent Saturday evening with err a a friend. And Sunday, well Sunday was a bit of a non-entity but it was relaxing and I managed to draw up another long list of things to do which I will pass to you later. How about you?"
Beverley put down her pen and looked up at Caroline.
"I had a nice weekend with Susan and the grandchildren, yes. I can't believe how quickly they are growing up. I miss my Grand-Nanny cuddles already. But judging by the look on your face, my weekend was nowhere near as nice as yours."
Caroline gave her a shrewd smile and turned on her heel.
"Any chance of a cup of coffee before morning assembly? I just need to go through some Governor papers before the meeting at 10am."
"Coming right up." Beverley watched Caroline walk through her office and into her own. Something was going on with her and she was determined to find out by the end of the day. She hadn't seen her so light footed in a long time, certainly not since John had started playing silly beggars with the floozy from the library.
Caroline straightened her robes and opened the doors to the hall. She caught Kate's eye and smiled. Kate smiled back and continued to stare at her. Caroline nodded, giving the usual cue for Kate to commence playing the music to start assembly. However, Kate must have missed the nod because for some reason she didn't move, she just smiled back some more.
Caroline waited almost 30 seconds before she decided to take the matter into her own hands and started to walk towards the podium. As she passed her students, they looked across at her, wondering why Miss McKenzie wasn't playing the piano.
It was almost as it the sound of Caroline's stilettos on the parquet floor shocked Kate back into life because she suddenly moved and her fingers hit the piano keys and she started to play. By this time, Caroline was already half way down the hall and she was left standing on the podium facing the children for longer than she wanted. Kate was oblivious to her discomfort and started on the next verse of "Jerusalem".
What was she thinking? Well, obviously she wasn't thinking was she? Caroline tried to get her attention so she could tell her to stop playing. She coughed loudly but to no avail. In the end, she motioned to Mrs Prendergast who was sat nearest Kate. She half rose off her chair and whispered something to Kate who blushed, stopped playing and closed the lid of the piano. She spun herself around on her piano stool and sat facing Caroline.
"Good morning." She spoke in a very clear and authoritative voice and the school responded accordingly.
On her way back to her office, Caroline saw Kate walking down the corridor towards her.
"Kate, Kate. Have you got 5 minutes?"
Kate looked at her watch and nodded. She felt like a pupil being summoned to the head teacher's office. She had allowed her mind to wander during morning assembly and now she was going to get a ticking off.
"Beverley, Miss McKenzie and I need to go over some scores for the next choral recital. Can you give us 5 minutes please."
"You have the Board meeting in 10 minutes Caroline. You really don't have enough time."
"5 minutes Beverley. Don't put any phone calls through and if anyone needs to see me, get them to book an appointment."
Beverley looked at Caroline and then across at Kate.
"Certainly, yes, you're the boss."
Caroline held her office door open and waved Kate through. She walked over to her desk and pulled out a chair for Kate to sit on then chose to perch on the end of her desk, facing Kate.
"What happened this morning Kate? I nearly died up there listening to you hammering out verse after verse of Jerusalem."
Kate looked down at her lap and clasped her hands together. Caroline's tone of voice was dismissive. She bit her bottom lip, an action that was starting to turn Caroline's knees weak, and she looked up at her.
"I'm so sorry. Am I in trouble?"
Caroline's heart melted at the look of innocence and purity on Kate's face. She shook her head and offered Kate her hand across her body as if to shake it and suggest that the meeting was over. Kate looked confused but took hold of it and Caroline pulled her up out of the chair and into her arms. She whispered in her ear.
"Are you in trouble? I'd say. I really ought to take you over my knee and slap your backside Miss McKenzie."
She cupped her chin in her hand and gently kissed Kate's lips savouring the sweetness of them. She encircled her waist with her other arm and drew her closer, the intensity of the kiss increasing.
"I have been thinking non-stop about you since Saturday night. The thought of doing this has been driving me crazy."
Both women were lost in the moment, in the love that was growing within them and it was perhaps one of the most pleasurable moments that Caroline had ever spent in her office. She was starting to want more and her hand wandered down Kate's body, gently caressing as she moved over her breast and down her belly. Caroline breathed in quickly and started to slip her hand down the waistband of Kate's trousers.
Kate grabbed her hand and moved it back up her body. She covered it with her own and placed it on her shoulder.
"Not yet Caroline, not here."
Caroline stopped and looked at Kate, red faced and panting slightly.
"I'm sorry. Oh my God. I'm sorry Kate. Of course, you are right. Whatever was I thinking?"
"I know exactly what you were thinking and if this had happened on Saturday night on my sofa, it would have been a totally different story. But here, in your office? Dr Elliot, have you no shame?"
The two women laughed and Kate bent forward and kissed Caroline.
"I have to go or else my Year 10s will have totally demolished the music room and there will be drum sticks flying through the air and being used as offensive weapons. When can I see you again Caroline?"
Caroline started to lead Kate out of the office.
"Erm, how about, how about tonight? Would you like to come round to mine for a bite to eat? Nothing too formal. I am not sure whether the boys will be in or not but I can always give them grief about their homework and their forthcoming exams and shame them into retreating up to their rooms."
Kate smiled and sighed.
"I would like nothing more."
"I'll see you at 7pm. Is that too late?"
"No, that's perfect." Her smiled melted Caroline's heart and she felt like a teenager again.
As Kate left her office, Beverley spotted Caroline looking up at her. She pretended she was busy on the computer and turned away quickly. She had a feeling that interrogation was not necessary in order to find out what had lightened the heart of Dr Caroline over the weekend.
Caroline was almost wall to wall with meetings for the rest of the day and Kate hardly got a break from teaching with no free periods. By the time the bell rung at 3.30pm, neither of them had had much chance to draw breath let alone think about the evening ahead.
Caroline left work at 5pm, which was very unusual for her. Beverley raised one eyebrow at her as she breezed past her desk.
"Have a good evening Caroline. Don't do anything I wouldn't do." She winked at her and grinned.
Caroline almost skidded to a halt and spun around.
"I don't know what you err what you mean Beverley. I am, I've decided to leave early to err, well I have just decided to leave early that's all. You keep telling me that I am the boss. Well, as the boss, I am leaving early. Nothing more than that."
"I believe you, thousands wouldn't. Goodnight."
Caroline held her hand up and waved as she walked away. How on earth could Beverley know what she was leaving early for? Was she that transparent?
Kate had left school promptly at 4pm. She was still without her car so had to rely on public transport for a few more days. She had been standing in front of her wardrobe in just her underwear for the last 20 minutes. A pile of discarded clothes spilled from her bed onto the floor. She must have tried on almost every outfit she owned, in numerous combinations.
"Start simple. Matching underwear. Clean matching underwear." She scrambled about in her drawer and pulled out a pair of black lacy knickers. Finding the bra that went with them, she laid them out on the bed.
Caroline had said it was nothing too formal but lots of things were running around her head. Should she wear a blouse or a tee-shirt? Jeans or trousers? Skirt or dress? It was all too confusing. She padded into the bathroom and turned on the shower, making sure that it was freezing cold.
When Caroline opened her front door just after 7pm, she was greeted with a big bunch of flowers that seemed to have legs and a velvety voice.
"Hello."
Caroline smiled and the butterflies in her stomach came to life.
"Hello to you too. Would you like to come in?"
Kate thrust the flowers towards Caroline and entered the house. She dared to plant a quick kiss on her lips. Caroline trembled.
"You look beautiful Kate."
"Why, thank you! These are for you, in case you hadn't guessed. I hope you like them."
"Thank you. I love flowers, well, apart from chrysanthemums. These are just beautiful. Let me put them down and then I will take your coat."
Kate followed Caroline into the kitchen.
"Oh Caroline, you have a lovely kitchen, so much bigger than mine. And you have an Aga! How chic."
"Thank you. I love my kitchen too. It's where I spend most of my time. Cooking for me and the boys, chatting with my mother when she comes round from next door, eating, drinking, marking papers. And my office is just through there so I do spend a lot of my time curled up on that two-seater reading meeting papers and stuff."
Kate looked around, taking in the décor and the tiny details.
"You really did think about this a lot when you furnished it didn't you? It works well."
"It works perfectly for our family, yes. Let me take your coat. And can I get you a drink?"
Kate nodded.
"Yes please."
"Red or white? Or would you prefer a mineral water or a juice?"
"Whatever you're having." Caroline walked over to the wine cooler. She opened it and then remembered what she was serving for supper. Closing the door, she reached into the wine rack at the side of it and grabbed a bottle of red wine.
"Oh, you actually did think of everything. I wouldn't have had you down as a hard core drinker Dr Elliot."
"Oh, I'm not. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy a glass of wine. But John is the one who insisted on this. And why am I surprised? The woman he is living with is a raving alcoholic. Lawrence told me."
"If you'd rather I didn't drink, mineral water will be just fine."
"No, no, no. I've opened this bottle now. I am sure you won't turn into another Judith just because you have spent the evening at our house."
Caroline walked over to the stove and stirred a huge saucepan that was bubbling away.
"It's only spaghetti bolognaise but the boys love my recipe. They say it's the best they have ever tasted so I will be curious to know what you think when you've eaten it. Would you like to help me with the salad?"
Kate walked over to the centre island and started to chop the lettuce as Caroline chopped the cucumber. They both reached for the tomatoes at the same time and Caroline's hand covered Kate's. An electric shock made them both pull away quickly.
"Why does that keep happening to us?" Caroline looked over and laughed.
"I was just thinking the same. Perhaps we ought to touch each other more often and diffuse all that electricity. Would that work Dr Elliot? You're the scientist." Kate reached out her hand again and softly touched Caroline's, curling her fingers around it and stroking the palm with her thumb.
"Err, I'm not sure but I certainly am willing to try." She quietly kissed Kate and then hastily looked at the kitchen door to make sure that neither of the boys was anywhere near.
"I think we ought to serve up supper before things get a little too hot in the kitchen." Caroline opened the oven door and took out a tray of garlic bread. "I hope you don't mind but, well, the boys might be joining us. Is that OK?"
"Of course it is. It's their house too Caroline. They have every right to do as they like in it."
"Well, not exactly. I draw the line at some of the things that Lawrence has tried to do." She raised her eyebrows and made her mouth into a thin line. "I'll give them a shout".
When William walked into the kitchen, he greeted Kate as his mother had mentally predicted he would.
"Good evening Miss McKenzie. How are you?"
"I am very well William. How is the revising going?"
William pulled a face. "It's going very slowly at the minute. Maths!"
Kate laughed and then looked over his shoulder as she heard Lawrence clattering through the kitchen. He stopped short when he saw Kate sat at the dinner table.
"Oh. I didn't know you had invited someone for dinner."
"Lawrence, you know Miss McKenzie don't you? Miss KcKenzie, this is Lawrence, my youngest son."
"Hello Lawrence."
"Alright." Lawrence hung his head and pulled at a chair at the far end of the table. He helped himself to the food and started wolfing it down. Caroline stared at him and he stopped.
"What? What have I done now?"
"Nothing Lawrence. I would just have expected you to taste the food before you swallowed it."
"He eats like that because he is a pig." William looked over at him disgustingly and Caroline took them both in with her best Mum look which said "behave or you are both grounded."
The conversation over supper was light hearted and Kate discussed her plans for the next choral recital, which didn't interest Lawrence at all. Sensing that he might feel a bit left out, she asked him about the rugby team and the match she knew he had played on Saturday. He was more than happy to regale her with the moments when he scored the winning try.
When Kate's plate was empty, she wiped her mouth delicately with the napkin and sat back.
"The boys were right. That really is the best bolognaise I have ever tasted. You must share the recipe Caroline."
"What's for pudding mum?"
"You will have to excuse Lawrence. Even though he is almost 14, he forgets that he has a 1 in front of his age." William was trying to goad Lawrence and it worked.
"At least I'm not a poof. At least I am not gay."
Caroline snapped.
"Lawrence, get up to your room now. I will not have you talking like that in front of Miss McKenzie or any other guest that is invited into our home. It is very rude and disrespectful. Go!"
Kate looked down at her lap in embarrassment, not because of what Lawrence had said but because he had been admonished in front of her. William started to clear the dishes from the table, well aware that he had started this whole thing. He loaded the dish washer and made himself scarce.
"I am so sorry Kate. The boys are normally better behaved. Well, William certainly is."
"That's OK Caroline. I expect it hasn't been easy for them for the last 4 months or so. And it was quite a shock for Lawrence to see me here. This is his house, his sanctuary away from school. The last thing he probably wants is to walk into the kitchen and see one of teachers from his school sat at the table. He does know that I am gay doesn't he?"
"Well, yes he does. I am afraid that your sexual preferences are just one of the teacher stories flying around the school. But whether he does or does not bears no relevance here. He knows better. I am so sorry."
Kate got up from the table and stood behind Caroline. She put her arms around her waist and nuzzled her neck.
"Stop apologising will you? You can make it up to me later once we have cleared the dinner plates away."
