Thank you so much for all the lovely comments, thank you for taking the time to read. Here is the next installment, I hope you enjoy xx
Caroline sleepily dragged herself into her car waving good bye to a Gillian, they had been up most of the night talking about John and what she would do now. It surprised her but she really did feel better when ever she spoke to Gillian about a problem, it was like some how she took all the stress out of it.
She laughed to herself as she turned the engine on how they had managed to stay onthe topic of sex last night, Gillian was no novice. And yet a serious conversation of infidenlity had lead to far too many drinks and a hysterical conversation of comparing lovers. Which had left them both rolling about in fits of giggles at johns lack of ability to please. Caroline found it refreshing to be so honest about things like that. She never thought it was appropriate to talk about her sex life and John in that respect but it had been quite refreshing as well as bloody funny. To hear Gillian's dangerous promiscuous adventures when it came to the opposite sex only made her wonder what she had truly been missing. She had always ejoyed sex well to the point where with a bit of a helping hand John had usually made her come. But she had never been excited by it enthralled by each and every touch. She had always resigned herself to the fact that sex was more enjoyable for men and the wife's role was to keep the husband happy, even as a teenager shed never fully enjoyed it. Well not like all her friends said they had and after Gillian's detailed description it had left her bewildered, could that be the reason why.
Caroline pulled her phone from her pocket, the smile again firmly placed across her lips. "Oh hi Kate, how are you?", "yes I'm good I was just wondering as it's been a few days if you fancied popping over for some dinner tonight. If your not busy and the boys don't mind obviously". "That sounds lovely I'm just heading back from Gillian's now, so shall I pop round when I get back". "That sounds fine with me" Caroline could hear the mirrored smile in her response, "ok well I'll see you in a bit". Caroline hung up and Rubbed her head before putting the car into drive and heading home, she had been so tired before but now she found she was eager to get home. Or if she was totally honest with herself which she wasn't sure she was ready for ... She was eager to get home to see Kate.
As she pulled up on the drive she saw John looking through the window, she slumped her bag on the hall chair and made her way into the living room. "Hi boys" she called it wasn't really John she was talking to but he smiled "hi, how was Gillian's?" He asked. It was weird but it was small things like this that made her feel unsettled he had spent so many years not at all interested in her life, now it felt like he was trying too hard.
"yeah good and I'm going over to Kate's tonight for dinner, if you and I boys are ok with it" she turned to her youngest. "Yeah I don't mind dad said we could have a takeaway tonight" she nodded "where is William?" Lawerence sniggered "he's got his nose in a book, has done all day".
"Hey enough of that just because your brother enjoys reading it's nothing to laugh at"Lawrence looked sufficiently apologetic, so she retreated upstairs.
Caroline knocked lightly on his door "William" she pushed it open gently to find her son submerged in a book at his desk, "hi darling you ok". He turned to face her "yeah fine just you know lawerence and dad they were being too loud for me to concentrate".
she sat on the bed "as long as your ok" it was a mothers intuition but something just didn't sit right, but she trusted her very sensitive caring son. If it was something he wanted to discuss he would, he never had secrets from her, he was definitely more like her and lawerence like John.
"Kate has invited me over for dinner if you don't mind,me going out again", he smiled at his mother he had noticed how much time she was spending over at the cottage and he was pleased she had something other than work to focus on. "No it's fine I was going to take Daisy out for dinner, so I won't be in anyway". Caroline smiled "ok as long as your sure your ok" he laughed "yes mum, I'm fine. I promise".
"Right well I'll see you later then" she closed his door and sighed she really hoped he was fine. She ran a brush through her hair and changed her jeans for some comfy leggings before heading over the back garden to Kate's back door.
she opened it and called inside "Kate it's only me", she smiled as Kate appeared "hello you" she pulled Caroline into a hug "you look worn out". "Is that a polite way to say I look bloody awful" she chuckled, "no not at all you always look stunning", she saw Kate blush "but you sounded tired on the phone". "It was a late one I was up chatting to Gillian about the useless bastard I call my husband", Kate smiled sympathetically "the boys ok?".
Caroline loved how this women really did seem to care she always knew what was worrying her. "Lawerence is fine him and John have always been as thick as thieves but I get the feeling something is bothering William.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Kate offered "do you mind, I'd love to just chill out with you if that's ok Im fed up of my drama for one day".
Kate paused and turned to face the kitchen wall behind her, "So do you like the new colour, I decided to go for pale green. I think I like it but not hundred percent now it's up" she babbled on handing Caroline a glass of her favorite wine.
Caroline attempted to concel the smile that followed as she watched Kate change the subject as she had asked her too. "I like it, it's very you and makes the room feel warm. You have been busy ... Kate cocked her head "too much free time on my hands. I really need to sort out a job" she sighed. "oh I was meaning to talk to you about that the languages teacher Mrs Dales is going on maternity leave in about a months time. I still haven't even looked into covering her, and well if your interested you could take the post. Obviously it would be a year definitely and then if she decides to come back I'm sure we could find a place for you full time".
kate took in what she had just said, Caroline watching her closely "I mean only of you were interested of course no pressure at all of it would be weird or anything".
"Caroline stop rambling I think it's a great idea. But I've never worked in a private school before, would I...um fit in". Caroline laughed "of course you would and what you have told me you have all the needed experience so I don't see a problem. And well I am the boss so it has some perks to being my friend, shall I look into the logistics for you?"
Kate smile communicating her jubilation at the prospect "that would be wonderful Caroline".
"So sofa?" Kate questioned as she led the way into the living room. Caroline couldn't help notice their closeness, how they always sat on the same sofa with their feet tucked up rather than separately. It was nice she couldn't remember the last time she had done that with John, she reprimanded herself. She really must start avoiding comparing everything with John, she was well versed in the fact he was pretty much a total failure at everything.
"I've recorded the bake off, I know you like it and wouldn't have time to have watched it. Thought we could watch it together" Kate said sweetly.
"oh fab, that's very kind of you. I was wondering when I'd get a chance to watch it", Kate pressed play on the recording and they sank back into the sofa.
Caroline couldn't help let her gaze linger on the woman next to her, she really was wonderful She thought to herself.