Don't Leave Her – Chapter 3
Kate and Caroline's relationship, after its early setbacks, had managed to stay on track for several months with few, if any, major crises along the way. Most nights of the working week they would find some time to be together, be it for an hour or an entire evening. Both women often stayed back at school completing what they had to do so they could have their time together later, uninterrupted by the burden of unfinished work.
Caroline always went home, often late in the evening, if they were at Kate's place because of the boys, but Kate now kept several changes of clothing at Caroline's house and would usually stay overnight. Weekends they often had to themselves as William and Lawrence regularly ventured off with friends for hours at a time or to sleep over. These were the times they treasured most, the times when they could fully relax, free of any responsibilities or plans, enjoying the intimacy of each other's presence.
Occasionally they would venture out to a café, the cinema or a restaurant but most often they would spend the time at home just being together talking, laughing, each woman enamoured with the other. They had even managed to organise the odd weekend or two away which had been exciting and special, however, it was simply each other's company that they craved so it didn't really matter where they were and, as much as Caroline enjoyed their time alone together, she also loved the times when the boys accompanied them on an outing or activity. Both William and Lawrence adored Kate, not least, for the happiness she brought their mother and they accepted her willingly into their lives. The Elliott household experienced a tranquillity that it had not had for several years.
Celia couldn't deny the obvious joy that Kate brought into the life of her daughter and her grandsons and was able to overcome her ill-conceived concerns and welcome Kate into the family as well. Celia admired Kate's patience and strength which were qualities any partner of Caroline's was going to require.
They saw less and less of John who had finally moved out to "God knows where". Caroline suspected that he'd had a short-lived tryst with Gillian but hadn't cared enough to find out for sure. On the occasions he did show up at the house, usually unannounced, he was often "three sheets to the wind" and looking to pick a fight with Caroline but Caroline, a more contented and less tightly-wound Caroline, was not inclined these days to rise to his taunts and maintained an appropriate level of civility with him, as much because she knew it annoyed him more than if she joined in his tantrums as it was for the sake of the boys and also for Kate. She didn't want Kate subjected to the poisonous and hurtful remarks that John was capable of spewing forth once he went off on one of his drunken tirades. Caroline had heard it all before and was, for the most part, immune to his venom but she had no desire to expose Kate to his rubbish. It was one thing for Kate to take on her sons but her ex-husband was not a burden Caroline wanted to share.
Meanwhile, Alan had spent several weeks in hospital after a near fatal heart attack. However, he was now well on his way to a full recovery and had recently been discharged from the hospital with strict instructions from his doctors to avoid stressful situations, rest often, always carry his pills with him and to take them on time. He and Celia had worked things out and, much to everyone's delight, the wedding was back on. Celia now spent most of her time at Gillian's place either fussing over Alan or making wedding preparations. Caroline had been able to pull a few strings and rebook the school chapel for them and she was now helping Celia to find a suitable venue for the reception.
"We could have the reception at home in the back garden," Caroline suggested to Kate as they lounged together on Kate's sofa. "We could tidy up a bit and put up one of those fancy marquees. What do you think?"
"That would be lovely," Kate replied, "but what if it rains as it's likely to do?"
"Mmm…That could be a problem," Caroline admitted.
They remained quiet for a few moments. The women lay stretched out on the sofa, Kate gently massaging Caroline's bare legs as they rested on her lap. Caroline appeared thoughtful….mulling over possible reception venues perhaps. Kate enjoyed the nearness of her lover and the peacefulness of the moment until she broke the silence.
"What?" she asked Caroline.
"I didn't say anything," Caroline replied, confused.
"No, but I can hear you thinking from here," Kate laughed, "what's on your mind? The reception?"
Caroline sat up and turned to face Kate. Caroline's expression was now quite serious and it unsettled Kate. Caroline had a way of suddenly changing tact and putting Kate off balance even now.
Caroline, slightly nervously, began to broach a subject that had been playing on her mind for a couple of weeks now but she'd been putting off discussing it. Everything had been going along so beautifully she didn't want to potentially upset their well -being but she needed to share with Kate.
"I have the quarterly meeting with the Board of Governors tomorrow night," Caroline began quietly.
Kate looked at her puzzled, unable to fathom why this should be a problem.
"And I thought…." Caroline continued, "just as a courtesy to them and to put pay to any rumours, I should …um…inform them about us… our relationship."
Kate thought about this briefly before speaking.
"I suppose we should tell them….be up front with it….you being head teacher and me a staff member and all. Are they likely to say or do anything nasty?"
"No, I doubt it," Caroline replied, "it's just a formality really….as I said, a matter of courtesy. Are you alright with me telling them?"
After a moment of further consideration, Kate answered, "Sure" deciding to trust Caroline's judgement. "As you say, we probably are obliged to tell them although I don't really see what difference it would make to anybody."
"It will be fine," Caroline reassured Kate. She decided not to share with Kate the number of different scenarios of what might happen that had played out in her head…some of them good, some of them not so good. However, she had decided that she would deal with things when and if they occurred rather than worry unnecessarily.
"Really, it will be fine," Caroline repeated, as much for her own sake as for Kate's. "As I told Michael bloody Dobson, it's 2012 and the ladies have landed" and with that said, she planted a loving kiss on Kate's mouth, the warmth and softness there never ceased to amaze and arouse her.
"You know I would like nothing more than to take this further," Caroline said apologetically, "but it's late and I have to be getting home to the boys."
Another kiss and then they rose from the sofa, Caroline slipped her shoes back on and they walked hand in hand to her car.
"I'll see you tomorrow," Kate whispered as she wrapped Caroline in her arms, "I love you."
"I love you too; I really do," Caroline responded sincerely, "Night."
A final kiss and they parted.
Caroline was grateful that so far her day had been exceptionally busy. With audits looming, reports due and various students to discipline she hadn't had time to get cold feet about talking to the Board of Governors. She'd put aside the last hour of the her school day to go over the necessary reports for this meeting but she found herself distracted with thoughts of Kate and wondering exactly how she would tell the Board of their relationship. As Caroline was pondering this problem there was a knock on the door.
"What now?" Caroline muttered to herself. "Come in," she called out.
To her relief and pleasure, Kate entered the room. After double-checking that the door was shut and that they were out of view, the two ladies drew each other into a close embrace.
"Good afternoon, Dr Elliot," Kate whispered in Caroline's ear.
"Very formal," Caroline replied with a smile on her face.
"Considering that what I really want to say and do with you is totally out of the question here, I thought I might be best sticking with formal," Kate teased, a suggestive lilt to her voice.
"A wise choice," Caroline laughed, blushing slightly at both Kate's possible suggestions and the thoughts of what she'd like to do with Kate that were flashing into her own mind. "Are you okay with tonight's plans? You know you don't have to look after the boys if you don't want to. They're old enough to take care of themselves until I get home."
"No. It's fine, Caroline. The boys and I have made plans. I'm showing Lawrence how to cook that curry that he likes so much and then, after dinner, William and I are having a scrabble re-match. He doesn't like the fact that I've beaten him the last two times we've played so he wants another chance. He's got no hope but I'm happy to let him try."
Caroline looked into Kate's eyes and lightly traced the outline of her face with her fingers as she thought to herself, "It has definitely been worth the wait to find someone as loving and wonderful as this gorgeous woman."
"What time do you think you'll be home?" Kate asked.
"Not too late, I hope. There aren't many items on the agenda but that doesn't mean it won't drag out," Caroline replied, "no need to bother waiting up for me."
"I will, Caroline. It's no bother. Good luck then."
They held each other's hands for a moment, kissed briefly and then Kate turned to leave. Caroline watched admiringly as Kate's lovely figure retreated towards the door.
Despite there being only three items on the meeting's agenda, it seemed to be progressing at a snail's pace. One of the ten board members present, Mrs Hallsworthy, was being particularly pedantic about the arrangements for the concert next term and wanted to discuss minor points ad infinitum. Caroline struggled to remain focussed on the discussion as her mind kept wandering to thoughts of Kate at home cooking with Lawrence and playing scrabble with William; she wanted to be at home too and be part of it…and what was she going to say to the Board about her relationship with Kate? She still hadn't come up with the right words.
As Caroline dragged her distracted mind back into the room it seemed, at last, the meeting was winding up. Board members were shuffling their papers together and several were having more casual conversations with those around them. Caroline managed to catch Gavin's eye and indicate that she'd like to address the Board. Gavin cleared his throat loudly which had the desired effect of attaining everyone's attention.
"Sorry to interrupt," Gavin apologised, "but I think Dr Elliot would like to speak to us before we finish up."
Caroline began softly, unsure of the exact words that were going to come out and the reaction they'd receive.
"As you all no doubt already know, my husband and I have been separated for almost a year now and divorce proceedings have begun…."
Gavin looked at Caroline quizzically. Where was this going? It wasn't like Caroline to volunteer details of her personal life like this. The rest of the Board members were now also paying full attention, their curiosity piqued as they sensed a dramatic moment.
"However," Caroline continued, " I would like to inform you all, just as a matter of courtesy and to prevent any nasty rumour mongering, that I am presently in a serious relationship with someone else….the reason I'm telling you this is because the ….um… person I'm in a relationship with is a member of staff here at Sulgrave Heath…"
There was some subtle shaking of heads around the table and inaudible mutterings.
"….her name is Kate McKenzie. She teaches Modern Languages."
Surprise was the uniform reaction going by the expression on each of the Board members' faces. Some members looked at Caroline and then dropped their eyes; one or two had nervous smirks on their faces while others attempted to look nonplussed.
There was a palpable silence in the room. Caroline decided to fill this silence. Now that she had started, her confidence was gaining momentum.
"From the beginning we have been discreet and will continue to do so in the future, however we will not lie about our relationship. I can assure you that it will not have any detrimental effect on the school or our performances," Caroline stated with conviction.
After a moment or two Owen Wilkinson, one of the older Board members, finally found his voice and spoke up.
"Dr Elliot, I don't think that it is in the best interests of the school to have the Head Teacher of Sulgrave Heath in a relationship with a staff member here, particularly a relationship of this nature. It's a situation that opens us up to all sorts of unpleasant accusations and gossip. Our reputation could quite possibly be tarnished."
Caroline took a deep breath before answering. She could feel her anger begin to seethe and a tension rising but she knew it was important that she appeared to remain calm, even if all she wanted to do was strangle the old coot.
"Mr Wilkinson, can I remind you that while you were a Head of Department at Sulgrave Heath and during your time on this board, your wife has also been a teacher here up until her recent retirement. Surely that is a similar situation, is it not? And there have not been any problems arising from that that I'm aware of, have there Mr Wilkinson? " Caroline managed to say, a terseness creeping into her voice
"But that's not quite the same, is it?" Wilkinson spluttered, unable to express exactly what he was thinking.
"How is it not the same?" Caroline asked.
Wilkinson began to blush and could only manage to muster a few indecipherable mutterings as his words failed him.
"What about the students?" piped up Mrs Hallsworthy from the end of the table.
Caroline looked at her puzzled and asked, "What do you mean, 'what about the students'?"
"Well….should they be so openly exposed to this kind of relationship and from their Head Teacher of all people?"
Caroline inevitably lost her battle with restraint. Anger and annoyance took over.
"It would be really nice, not to mention convenient, Mrs Hallsworthy, if you and anyone else who thinks along those lines, could drag yourselves, albeit kicking and screaming, into the 21st century," Caroline answered, " I am entitled to love whomever I choose, be it male or female, without suffering this pointless and ignorant discrimination. It is that kind of discrimination that we should be more worried about exposing the students to. "
Mrs Hallsworthy retreated, the bluster taken out of her sails by Caroline's rather pointed retort.
No one else seemed to have any further opinions that they wished to express at that point in time so Caroline finished what she began.
"If, as a Board, you have a problem with this that we cannot overcome then I will dutifully hand in my resignation from the position of Head Teacher at Sulgrave Heath."
She had wanted to leave this option as a last resort but they had raised her ire and she was feeling let down and somewhat indignant.
"No need to do that," Gavin interjected, attempting to placate her. "We, as a Board , are extremely satisfied with the job you do here, Dr Elliot, but maybe it would make it easier all round if…"
Gavin paused for a beat as he contemplated the wisdom of what he was about to say then he plunged ahead….
"Perhaps Miss McKenzie could find an appointment at another school. We would write her a glowing recommendation….."
The Chairman of the Board of Governors was stopped in his tracks by the glare of fury on Caroline's face.
"No, Gavin," Caroline said through tight lips barely containing her anger, "she will not be the one to suffer from this bigotry. If anyone has to go, it will be me but I do sincerely hope that that option can be avoided altogether. But you should know that I intend to marry Kate eventually as per the law of this land, so it would be nice if you would keep your prejudices to yourself."
"Good Lord," thought Caroline, "where did that come from?" The idea of marriage had not even crossed her conscious mind….hell, she wasn't even divorced from John yet! And she and Kate had only been together for a relatively short time, although they had been through a lot in that time. However, Caroline knew in her heart of hearts that she did love Kate deeply and looked forward to spending the rest of her life with her. But marriage! "Was she insane?" she asked herself.
"If that's all then, I'll be off," Caroline concluded, "Good evening."
Caroline gathered her belongings together purposefully, stood and marched out of the room, her back straight and her head high, leaving them there to their pettiness. She headed for her office, the familiar sound of her heels echoing along the now empty hallway. Once inside her office she tossed her things on the nearest surface, slumped into her chair and put her head down in despair on her desk. She wasn't going to cry, she was too angry for that but she also felt bitter disappointment. Caroline was dedicated to her job and felt that she did it well and this is how they repaid her. However, she was also feeling quite elated, proud even. She didn't have to hide her relationship with Kate any longer and she had unreservedly stood up for her…. for them.
Kate was lying on the sofa in Caroline's lounge room, an open book resting on her chest and her eyes closed, sleeping. However, the sound of Caroline's heels on the timber floor in the entrance way followed by the clunk of metal as the car keys were tossed into their usual place woke her. Kate sat up as she heard Caroline come into the room.
"How did it go?" she asked anxiously.
Caroline flopped wearily onto the sofa beside her and rested her head on Kate's shoulder.
"I think they're going to ask me to resign," Caroline said placidly.
"No! They can't do that, can they?" Kate was shocked.
She was also confused by Caroline's apparent acceptance of the situation. It was not like her to give up without a fight.
"You don't seem too bothered about this turn of events. What's going on?"
"I was angry and upset and all those things to begin with," Caroline explained, "but after thinking the situation through for a half an hour in my office and then during the drive home, I've decided that if the Board is foolish enough to let me go then so be it. I'm always up for a new challenge and I don't think I'll have a problem finding new employment. And do I really want to work at a place that is run by such narrow-minded people anyway?"
"But you love your job, Caroline."
"I do love my job," Caroline replied calmly, "but I love you….us…more, a lot more."
Caroline lifted her head to face Kate and could see watery tears forming in her eyes. She leaned in and placed a loving kiss on Kate's ever sensuous mouth.
"I can always move onto a job as Head Teacher at another school, or do something completely different….use my chemistry ….or use my negotiating skills at the UN."
The very thought of world peace relying on Caroline's tact and diplomacy skills or lack thereof made Kate break out into soft laughter.
"What?" Caroline asked, feigning hurt and insult at Kate's mocking.
"Or…I could get a teaching job at another school," Kate offered more seriously now. "There are more teaching positions available than head teacher jobs and.."
"No," Caroline interjected adamantly, "you are not going to be the one whose life is disrupted by this….I told the Board that and now I'm telling you."
Caroline placed another kiss on Kate's mouth leaving no room for argument or rebuttal. At that moment all Caroline wanted was the woman she now held in her arms. As they kissed, Caroline reached a hand under Kate's shirt and tenderly caressed the smooth, brown skin of her stomach and gradually moved higher. To her pleasure, she found that Kate wasn't wearing a bra. Kate's breath hitched as Caroline cupped her breast and ran her fingertips lightly over her nipple.
"Maybe it's time for bed," Kate suggested as she became more and more awake with every movement of her lover's hand.
"I think you're right," Caroline agreed as they got up from the sofa and headed up the stairs. "How did the scrabble go? Did William beat you?"
"He had no chance…. I got QUEEREST on a triple word score with the Q on a double letter."