I have to say I'm surprised I've found the time to write another chapter, but I'm really enjoying writing this so I've found some time to squeeze it in.
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Caroline hadn't been sure how to respond the next day did she talk to Kate about last night, or would that just cause embarrassment. Maybe it was just best to pretend she hadn't remembered it and carry on as normal if that was possible.
It was mid afternoon buy the time she had managed to sit down and take five minutes and she was right she did have a hangover. Which was only exbasibated by the mess she had come down to this morning after leaving John in charge of the boys for two nights in a row.
She sat down with her mug of coffee in the lounge , enjoying the peace and quiet the boys had gone for some lunch after Lawrence's rugby match. She smiled as she slipped her ringing phone from her pocket, seeing Gillian's name flash across the screen.
"Hi Gillian, you ok I wondered how long it would be before you checked up on me" she said playfully. "Well I think I've done very well I wanted to ring you this morning. So how were things when you got home last night?" She paused waiting for an answer, "yes fine I think I don't really know I was out last night and they left early this morning so I haven't seen them much to be honest".
"Out last night, where were you? You dirty stop out" she chuckled "no.." Caroline laughed "I was over at Kate's". "Oh were you now?" She joked "why do you say it like that" Caroline said a little more defensive than intended. "I didn't mean.. It's just it's nice you've made such a good friend, I didn't mean to imply" Gillian finished a little tentatively.
"No it's fine honestly I don't mean to be so snappy, I'm more than a little bit hang over after a whole weekend of being half cut. I feel like I've been hit over the head with a sledge hammer, I'm getting to old for this" She sighed. "Don't say that Caroline, because that would mean I'm too told and that's most definitely not true. I still look in the mirror and wonder why an older version of me is staring back at me when I feel 26 still".
"26 your lucky I most definitely am feeling my age at the moment", "Caroline" a pause "is everything ok besides the obvious". "Yep why?" Caroline guarded uncommitted in her answer "well you just sound a bit low".
"I'm ok I'm just a bit all over the place at the moment, I'm honest fine you don't need to worry about me". "Ok well of your sure. Well I will ring you tomorrow ok. Put your feet up chill out the weekend is nearly over don't waste it".
"ooo don't remind me... I will thanks Gillian" She hung up sinking into the back of her chair. She heard a faint knocking on the door in the kitchen, for a moment she hesitated she knew it would be Kate. She hadn't decided how to react to last night yet, but she knew ignoring her wasn't the right answer so she headed to the back door.
"Hi Kate, is your head as bad as mine to day?" she groaned yes casual was the way to play it , it was an accident a mistake. She was sure Kate was embarrassed by it no need to bring it up," yes I actually couldn't move this morning".
"why does alcohol have to have side affects if only you could wake up and feel refreshed like you'd slept for a week, rather than you feel lIke you've been hit by a truck and look like it too". Caroline couldn't help but laugh "you don't look like that, you look very pretty today" the words meant but not meant to have been said aLoud. Shit why did you say that, "fancy a coffee" Caroline suggested quickly, Kate nodded "love one".
Caroline poured the coffee reaching for the spoon on the side as Kate reached for it too, their finger tips meeting like a lightening bolt. Their eyes connected communicating each other's thoughts, as Kate moved in a little. Caroline wetting her lips with her tongue her mind dizzy with the idea of what might come next, then over ridden by fear.
Kate's gentle touch stroking her hand bringing her gaze back to rest intently on the beautiful woman in front of her. She paused deliberating in what should come next, when the front door was thrown wide open.
"Mum were back" Lawrence called Caroline couldn't help but jump back from Kate petrified someone may be able to read her thoughts, she saw the brief glimpse of regret in Kate's face from her actions. "Hi love, good match?" "Yeah we won, hi Kate" he made his way casually to the fridge." Have you not just eaten?" He shrugged "I'm a growing boy as you keep telling me" he smirked cheekily. "Don't you use me against myself Lawrence Elliot" she called a smile played on her lips, as William came in "hi mum, Kate" he poured himself a coffee "i need to go finish my essay" and he was gone.
"oh I didn't realize you were here" John quibbled as he strolled into the kitchen, "yes she just nipped in for a coffee" she smiled at her husband. "Right well I need to go and pack I've been called away to a writers seminar in Birmingham, I'm going to have to leave tonight annoyingly. So I'm afraid I'll be a way 2 nights, not that I bloody want to go all that way, but I need to get my work out there" he moaned.
Carolines gaze turned to Kate "he's convincing isn't he" she groaned the pain obvious in her voice, as she watched Kate's sympathetic expression. "He doesn't know what he's missing. Who would give you up? he must be mad" she smiled her warm smile penetrating Caroline's very centre. They grew closer "want to stay for tea as it's just me and the boys" she asked, Kate nodded "well I need to nip home do a few bits give me a text in a bit ok" she smiled Leaving her half drank coffee.
Caroline watched her nip out of the back door and she was gone again, the ache returned she couldn't quite put her finger on it. Deciding she must be hungry she made herself some toast and settled on the sofa, she could hear John rustling about and she felt very little About it. It was worse knowing and watching him lie to her she had to admit that, but she also recognized shed much rather spend the night with Kate than him.
She had hardly been in her own house since she had found out, it was too hard to be around him with all the lies and pretending. So she had made it her mission to keep busy with work, Kate and Gillian and of course the boys leaving no time for him, or herself for that matter.
She closed her eyes her head still pounding and finally fell asleep snuggled on the sofa wrapped in a blanket peacefully, totally exhausted by life.