Chapter 6
Kate and Caroline spent the following few days enjoying both the house and time to themselves. They'd had no interruptions apart from a very brief 'phone call from Laurence who confirmed Caroline's perception of his holiday as being her worst nightmare. She thought that she really must buy something special for Angus' parents to show appreciation for their thoughtfulness.
The couple made initial contact with the fertility clinic and arrangements were made for them to see a consultant the following week. Kate and Caroline were both excited and apprehensive in equal measure. They talked of their hopes, tried to hide their fears and Caroline spent a great deal of time on the internet researching the pros, cons and whole process of donor insemination. Her scientific brain revelled in the learning of any knowledge but the personal significance made it an even sweeter process.
One of the other tasks requiring attention was the writing of thank-you letters. The majority of their guests had complied with the request to donate money to the local hospice in lieu of presents. Whatever the gift, the two women were determined to write personal letters to acknowledge the thoughtfulness of the giver. They split the list into two, with Caroline taking responsibility for the guests invited by Kate and vice versa. A day's work made good inroads into the task and all letters were addressed by the time evening fell.
Just as they made their way to bed they turned to one another and almost simultaneously said "Gillian!"
"Did you write to her? What did you say?" Caroline asked.
"No, I didn't. She wasn't on my 'to-do list' and I'd forgotten everything about her present." Kate tried not to smile as she spoke. There was no way that Gillian's present had been forgotten but she was learning that the headmistress enjoyed a good banter and she was keen not to disappoint.
"You did what? That's not very good for my ego!" Caroline was very much in on Kate's leg pulling but she was happy to go along with the teasing.
"Yes, amazing isn't it. A bit like 7F's attitude to their homework diaries. You know, out of sight and out of mind!"
With that Caroline threw a playful slap towards Kate and they collapsed with laughter.
"Seriously, Kate, we really must send her a thank-you, although I am not quite sure what you could write! I'm so glad that this burden falls on your shoulders!"
"You can be quite heartless at times, dear one. We've made all the letters so personal. I can just see your mother's reaction if I did that for Gillian's present. Gillian would be sure to place the letter where Celia could read it. I can feel myself blushing just thinking about it!"
With talk of Celia there was a sudden but perceptible change to the light-hearted atmosphere and both women became quiet and thoughtful.
"It's been almost a week, Caroline. I think it's time to start healing those wounds. She's your mum and I think that you do not really want to stay mad at her forever." Kate the peacemaker, firm but kind.
Caroline had her back to Kate as this conversation was taking place. Kate was putting on the bedside lights as Caroline closed the curtains. She stood motionless as she considered her wife's statement. Kate too was quiet and still, sensing that she needed to give time for her words to be absorbed and contemplated. Eventually the headmistress broke the silence.
"You think so, Kate? Why would you want me to forgive her awful attitude? She doesn't deserve it."
Caroline spoke firmly but there was a contemplative tone in her voice which suggested her thoughts were at variance with her words. Her facial expression as she turned to Kate also spoke of indecision. There was something else evident there too. Sadness.
"Life is not always clear cut, Caroline. The decision is yours and I will support you whatever you choose to do. I just need you to know that you do not have to stay alienated from Celia out of a loyalty to me."
With those words Kate crossed the bedroom and enveloped Caroline in a hug. The blonde's head slumped onto Kate's shoulder and she sobbed uncontrollably while Kate stroked her hair. So they stayed for some minutes until the crying eased. Eventually Caroline pulled away, kissing Kate gently on the cheek as she did so.
"Could we go to the farm tomorrow to see my mum, do you think? Do you have anything else in your diary?" Her words were tentatively spoken. Whether she was looking for an excuse not to follow the plan or reassurance that it was the correct action was anyone's guess.
"That's fine with me, Caroline. We were going to do a food shop ready for Lawrence's return, if you remember, but we could do that on the way back from Halifax as we will pass that new Tesco. The carvery pub we like is near there too. It will save us having to cook when we get home. My treat!" Kate giving the reassurance rather than an excuse. Decision made.
So, it was agreed between them and all it now took was a phone call to the farm to make sure it was convenient for Gillian and that Celia would be at home. It was so and their plans were made. That night was a night for the giving and receiving of loving reassurance and not making love and they slept soundly until morning came.
The day dawned wet and blustery, reflecting the uncertain feelings that the women shared. They achieved good results from their efforts to lighten each other's mood, however, and their spirits were high by the time they were driving along the A658, breaking out in song to accompany Abba's greatest hits on the Jeep's CD player.
"I'm so glad that the children do not know what music you listen to in your own time, Caroline. Your reputation would be shot to pieces! Respect would be non-existent!"
"Yes, oh music teacher! Let's think what I'd find in YOUR car stereo."
The journey continued with an abundant exchange of banter and, against expectation, Caroline's mood was positive when they pulled into her step-sister's yard just as Gillian walked out of the barn. She was dressed in her customary jeans and chequered shirt with a wind-cheater wrapped around her middle. She carried an empty cup in her right hand as she walked towards the Jeep.
"Oh, am I glad to see you two! Me dad and Celia have done nothing than argue the respective merits of wind farms versus solar panelling since they woke up this morning. God only knows why but it seems to have become personal and neither one is prepared to back down. I couldn't even stomach having my mid-morning coffee with them!" she laughingly said as she hugged first Caroline and then Kate. "Come on in. It's as cold as charity outside today. The kettle will still be warm."
"Blow the kettle, Gillian. We've some left-overs from the reception to share with you!" Caroline laughed, as she retrieved a box of wine from the car's boot.
"Now you're talking! It's just as well I've finished all the jobs requiring tractor driving today!"
They entered the house to find the sitting room empty but muffled, raised voices could be heard coming from upstairs, indicating that the discussion between Celia and Alan had not yet reached a satisfactory conclusion.
"Thank heavens. It looks as if we'll have a few moments to ourselves. Take your coats off and come through to warm up by the range. Tell me how the honeymoon is going!" Gillian smiled and winked and the newly married couple exchanged knowing glances as they all walked into the kitchen. "How many toasters did you get, then? Every married couple I know always reckon that they get at least two! Duplicate presents are always a disappointment."
"We actually didn't get any toasters, thankfully. As you know, we suggested that the guests might like to make a donation to charity rather than a present. Kate and I both had our own houses so there wasn't anything that we needed."
Unbeknown to the three women Celia had crept downstairs as she heard the women enter the house and she now looked on anxiously from the far side of the sitting room, twiddling her fingers together.
"Oh you already had everything that you need, did you?! I'm sorry to hear that. Silly me, I might have known! I still have the receipt for my present here somewhere. You can send it back and get a refund." Gillian giggled as she pretended to root around in an open drawer.
"Send it back? Why would we want to do that?" laughed Kate. "It's unique. It was an inspired purchase! We may have had established houses but the long and the short of it is that neither of us owned one!"
"Have you found time to try it for size yet?" Gillian continued to tease.
"Gosh, yes. What else are honeymoons for but to unpack presents and try them out? I have to say that if there's a customer satisfaction questionnaire sent out when we register the guarantee, we'll be hard pushed to find enough superlatives!" Kate's smile echoing her meaning.
Caroline was initially surprised at Kate's blunt speaking but, for reasons she had yet to fathom, Gillian had a way of bringing out her lighter side and she plucked up the courage to join in the risqué conversation.
"It was the climax of our week, you might say!" the blonde woman joked.
Gillian almost spat out the white wine she was drinking.
"Not bad humour for a snotty bitch. Kate, you are so good for Caroline, she use to be so uptight; obviously wasn't getting any. Well done Kate, I tell you, she was a right pain in the... "
"Thank you that's enough. I am here you know," Caroline interrupted. She tried to appear stern but her eyes were smiling as she looked loving at Kate and tried glaring at Gillian.
They clinked glasses in acknowledgement that that particular subject was to be dropped but Gillian gave Caroline a cheeky grin and a wink, which signalled that there would be more ribbing to come in the future.
All the while Celia remained standing in the sitting room, jealous of the good humour and closeness between the three women. She felt a slight stabbing feeling in her chest; she missed Caroline's cutting sense of humour and almost poetic way of expressing herself.
With this is mind, spurring her on, she entered the kitchen and smiled at the three women, who were still laughing as they filled their wine glasses for the second time.
"Hello ladies, having fun are we; what's tickled your fancy?" she said, knowing full well the intentional double entendre would not go unnoticed.
Gillian with her crude sense of humour was the first to respond, "Yeah Caroline, come on, tell your mum, what's tickled you and where, these last few days?"
Seeing Caroline's smile fade slightly, Kate approached Celia, greeting her warmly.
"Hello Celia, nice to see you. I hope you are well. Would you care for a glass? We've red and white both open."
Celia was encouraged by Kate's welcome, which was spoken without a hint of the animosity from their last encounter.
"Yes thank you, Kate. A glass of white would be very welcome. It's so good to see you both." Celia was thus emboldened to look towards her daughter.
"Hello, mum. Here, let me pour you a glass."
So the ice was broken and slowly, but surely, all four women were equal participants in good humoured conversation. The only change in the arrangements came about when Alan appeared a good hour later, encouraging them to migrate into the sitting room so that he could prepare lunch.
The wine continued to flow and by early evening it was clear that Kate and Caroline were not in any fit state to drive home. Gillian offered them her bed but the newly-weds were happy to snuggle up together in front of a still roaring fire when the others climbed the stairs for the night. As they watched the flames lick up the chimney Caroline's thoughts were taken back to another night when she was too intoxicated to drive home and she had shared that same sofa with Gillian.