Chapter 29

Having left Kate's front door on the latch as she went outside to confront her mother, Caroline let them both in without delay and directed Celia to the upstairs bathroom.

'Second door on the left, mum. I'll see if Kate's put the kettle on.'

Celia walked briskly upstairs but, deliberately hesitating on the landing, was rewarded to hear a door being closed on voices that became muffled. Deciding to chance her arm she thought that she had time for a little investigation. A neatly arranged airing cupboard was behind the first door on the right, followed by what she was looking for – the master bedroom. The light from the hallway was enough to show some of what appeared to be a tastefully decorated room. Hoping to find that there were no squeaky floorboards, she carefully placed one foot in front of the other until she stood in front of a small console table just inside the door. There, in pride of place amongst candles, and an intricate metal basket containing keys, was a small, silver-framed photograph of her daughter with another woman; their heads nestled together with happiness radiating from every part of their faces. Caroline was in the same outfit she had worn to the French wedding and Celia was in no doubt that she was standing in the house of the second person in the photo. Her daughter's failure to mention going to the wedding with someone was significant, she concluded, and together with the closeness suggested by the photograph, this could only mean one thing. Would a friend from school have a photo of the two of them in pride of place in the intimacy of her bedroom? No, most definitely not. Celia's blood ran cold as she replaced the frame carelessly before leaving the room.

ooOoo

Meanwhile in the kitchen Caroline recounted a summary of the conversation with her mother, her pride in taking charge of the situation evident in every word.

'Well done, you!' Kate praised. 'That's the way to stand up to bullies, whoever they are. Carry on just like that and you'll begin to believe in your own strength. Do you want a cuppa too?' She filled the kettle as she spoke.

'Tea please, Kate. I'd like to have a stiff drink instead, but a cuppa will have to do. Mum will probably want coffee rather than tea. She's been advised to watch her caffeine intake, but the GP is another one who quakes in her presence and knows full well that she doesn't ignore his advice; she just doesn't listen in the first place!'

'I'm pleased to see that you're more cheerful than you were earlier. I'd hate to think that I bring more stress than benefit to your life.'

Caroline closed the distance between them and, without touching, leaned forward to kiss Kate with a hungry mouth.

'There's no doubt that my life is rather more um, shall we say adventurous, since I first saw you.'

'Since you first saw me?' Kate queried mischievously as she cuddled into welcoming arms.

'Yes, just about. As you well know! I didn't tell you, I dreamed last night that we hadn't met. The day you came for interview Gavin decided that we would not wait, and you turned up after we'd left and stood forlornly in the school car park. I woke up in a cold sweat.'

'Oh, that will be your age. Pre-menopausal!' Kate pulled away from her lover to take mugs from the cupboard, conscious that Celia could join them at any minute and not wishing to cause embarrassment.

'Oh, thanks. Make a girl feel better, why don't you?'

Kate reached across the distance between them and ran her fingers along Caroline's lower left arm and stroked her hand. Looking over Caroline's shoulder just as the kitchen door opened she turned her attention to her visitor.

'Oh, hello. Come in, please. I've got the kettle on.'

'As it seems my daughter is not going to introduce us in any proper fashion, I'll assume you are Kate and you know full well who I am. Nothing for me, thanks. My doctor says I shouldn't have caffeine, especially at this time of night. I'm ready to go whenever Caroline sees fit to help me get home. I've got a busy day tomorrow.'

'Mum! That's rude.'

'I'm just going to close the curtains, if you'll excuse me. Be back in a minute.' Kate made her excuse to leave, feeling that it might be help both mother and daughter to say what was on their minds, which they did the moment she left them together.

'How dare you come in here and speak like that in front of someone who has tried to welcome you into her home. I wouldn't expect the boys to be so rude and you certainly know better.'

'I don't want to be here and now I've used the toilet, there's no reason for me to stay. I'll wait in the car if that's easier for you.'

'I didn't want you to be here either, but I certainly don't want you to wait in the car!'

'Are you sure? You said yourself that it was Kate's idea to invite me in. I'm quite happy to wait outside even though it's starting to get cold. No matter. I'm sure my needs and health are not high on the list of your priorities.'

'Have I missed something?'

'Oh, no. You have not missed a trick. Obviously. It's me that's missed something. Well, quite a lot, actually.'

'Mum, is it the bump on your head that's set this off? Seriously. Whatever's come over you. And please don't shout at me.'

'Shout at you? Who's shouting? I'm just making my point.'

'But why with increasing volume, rudeness and antagonism? What's brought this on? It's not like you. You've been to enough school functions for me to know how you react to staff, governors and the like and you know as well as I do that you're normally charm personified. You're a guest in Kate's house. The least you could do is extend her the courtesy of politeness. What's she done to you?'

'What's she done to you is the more relevant question. Turned your head, has she, like that girl at University? Turned my stomach when I saw her touch you.'

She was so caught up in their emotional sparring that Celia did not realise Kate had returned and was standing just inside the kitchen door.

'Sorry?' Caroline queried.

'A friend from school, I thought she was. Well, it's obvious that she wants to be more than that. Perhaps she's after a promotion. You'd better be careful or she'll turn it around and accuse you of sexual harassment. A dirty weekend away in France sealed the deal, I'm guessing, under the pretext of attending the wedding. I suppose she came in handy if it was a criterion that guests had to be batting for the other side. No wonder John left you. I never thought I'd say it, but I feel sorry for him, caught up in a nightmare with someone who turns on the charm with the same sex when she's a mind. No wonder he had to seek comfort elsewhere. Well, assuming he doesn't know what you're up to, I hope you'll come to your senses in time.'

'Kate's a friend, mum and, God knows, I was grateful for her support when he left me.'

As she spoke Caroline was looking over her mother's shoulder and caught a transient look of hurt as it flitted across Kate's face. She realised immediately how her words must have wounded, as she denied any hint of closeness or relationship and her own heart ached in tandem. Then, call it what you will. A lightbulb moment. Revelation. Reality check. Epiphany. As Celia droned on her argument went unheard as her daughter focused on the conversation with Kate and her challenge of a short while earlier.

'But now it's different.' Those were the words that triggered her response.

'You're right, mum. I do need to come to my senses. I'm in real danger of losing the most amazing person and it's time to stop messing around. It's frightening how easily you can lose sight of what's important. John and I need to sit down and talk things through, so he knows how I feel and we can start to plan the future.'

Celia breathed out quite audibly and a smile formed for the first time since she entered the house.

'Time to head home, then. Don't make it too easy for him. I'd make him stay in the spare room a little longer.'

'I don't know what you're talking about, mum, but you've obviously misunderstood me. You're right about one thing though. Kate and I are more than friends, although it started off that way, and she's the one with whom I'll be spending my future. No question. I'm not ready to leave here yet so unless you've changed your mind about having a drink, I'll come outside with you and point you in the general direction of Conway Drive. But it's a shame you're not staying. Kate makes the most wonderful lemon drizzle cake and I'm sure you would have enjoyed a slice with a proper coffee.'

ooOoo

'All sorted for tomorrow, Lawrence?'

'Popsicle!' Lawrence called out as his dad stood at his bedroom door. 'It's good to have you here. Mum home yet?'

'Not yet. William says she won't be long. He mentioned that she's with someone called Kate. Know who that is?'

'Surely not McKenzie? She's a bloody muff muncher.'

'Lawrence!'

'Well, she is. I told you about her, but you've probably forgotten. She's my form tutor. Whatever does mum want with her? They'd better not be discussing me!'

'I'm sure they're not. Don't worry about it. Time for lights out and dreams now.'

'Bloody nightmare, more like. Makes me shudder. If the guys at school find out that mum's spending time with McKenzie they're sure to make a big deal of it. The last thing I want is for them to think I'm a dyke's son.'

'Enough, Lawrence. Your mum's no dy... lesbian. Trust me on that one.'

ooOoo

'Are you sure your mum hasn't gone straight to John with the news? How long are you staying before you head home to find out?' Kate asked as she poured the tea.

'I don't care either way and as long as it takes, Kate.'

'As long as what takes?'

'If you really must ask, I'll explain. I'm not sure how much detail you need so, in summary, as long as it takes for me to take your hand, lead you up the stairs and for us to make love.'

Kate smiled and shook her head.

'We've got tea to drink.'

'With all due respect, Kate, get your priorities right!'