Don't Leave Her – Chapter 5
Caroline rummaged inside her bag until she found her phone.
"I'm going to go to the ladies' room. I should be able to get a better photo of Michael Dobson and his "friends" from over there without being too obvious," Caroline explained to Kate, "I suspect that some photographic evidence will come in useful. I think I can make it there and back without him seeing me."
Kate watched bemused as Caroline, phone in hand, made her way surreptitiously towards the ladies' restroom, dodging behind pot plants and other customers on her way. Kate couldn't help but feel like she was in a B grade spy movie. She had to admit that life with Caroline never got dull although she wouldn't mind "dull" for a change of pace.
Shortly, Caroline returned with the evidence.
"What do we do now?" Kate asked, playing along with whatever plan it was that Caroline had in her head.
"Well, we can't leave the restaurant until after they do. They'll see us and I don't want Dobson to know that I may have spotted him here so I guess we have to stay put for the moment."
"In that case, I'm going to pour us another glass of wine," Kate announced.
"Sure," Caroline said, pushing her empty wine glass towards Kate.
As they waited, the two women chatted animatedly, ate the remainder of their meal and drank their wine. Caroline, all the while, kept one eye on the table where Michael Dobson was sitting. Kate could see how distracted Caroline was and, for her own amusement, she challenged herself to regain Caroline's full attention. She slipped off a shoe and began to rub her stockinged foot against the inside of Caroline's legs, starting at her ankle and working up to her calf. Caroline gave Kate her "what are you doing?" look but then took up her vigil on the other table again. Kate moved her foot higher and stroked just above the knees. Caroline raised both eyebrows and in a nervous whisper said, "You can't do that in here."
"Why not?" Kate replied innocently but with the slightest hint of a grin on her lips.
Caroline went to look over at the other table once again. Kate took the opportunity to move her foot up to her partner's thighs. There was a sudden intake of breath from Caroline and her eyes quickly shot back to Kate.
"Stop!" she mouthed.
"Why?" Kate mouthed back, as her face lit up with amusement.
Caroline leaned over slightly and whispered, "Because if you don't I'm going to have to make mad, passionate love to you here on this table and that would be a little indiscreet don't you think?"
Both women, capturing the humour of the comment, laughed at the mental image it conjured up in their heads. Kate reluctantly removed her foot from between Caroline's thighs and slipped her shoe back on.
Caroline took another look over at the other table.
"Anyway, we can leave now. Michael and his lot are gone."
They fronted up to the counter and paid for their meal and then cautiously went out the door, not wanting to accidently bump into Michael Dobson if, for some reason, the group was outside the restaurant. The coast appeared to be clear so they rugged themselves up in their coats and scarves and headed down the street towards Kate's place. They hadn't gone more than a few metres, however, when Caroline stopped them in their tracks and quickly ducked behind a parked car, dragging Kate with her.
"What?" asked Kate, surprised at being diverted so suddenly.
"SShh," Caroline whispered, "isn't that Michael Dobson and Stephen Walsh just up ahead of us?" She pointed to where she had seen them. Kate peeked out cautiously from behind the car.
"It is," Kate confirmed, "and, I might be mistaken, but I'm fairly sure they were holding hands!"
Caroline moved to take another look.
"They are! This just gets better," said Caroline as she dived into her bag to retrieve her phone once again.
The street they were on was rather narrow and well lit by the street lights on the side they were on so Caroline took Kate's hand and led her quickly to the other side which was tree-lined.
"They shouldn't be able to see us from behind these trees and in the shadows," Caroline explained, "but I think I can still get a photo if I need to."
They walked on staying in the shadows and remaining several metres behind the two men.
Oblivious to the fact that they had company, Michael and Stephen walked on until they came to a neat, two-storey house where they stopped at the front gate. They turned to face each other to finish their conversation. It was obvious from their closeness and the intimate touches that they were more than friends.
Caroline had managed to find a spot on the other side of the street, opposite them, where a tree provided cover but she was close enough to get them in focus with her camera. She clicked away furiously and was beside herself when she captured the moment when Michael leaned in and gave Stephen a brief goodnight kiss.
"Oh my god! Did you see that?" Kate whispered, "What a hypocrite! And to think I trusted him. That shit stirrer!"
Stephen Walsh turned and went up the path and into his house. Michael waited until Stephen had shut his door and then continued to walk the few more metres to where he had parked his car. Caroline and Kate waited in the shadows and followed him with their eyes. When they saw him drive off in his car they waited a further minute or two more before coming out into the open and continuing their walk home.
"Can you believe the nerve of that little prick?" Caroline said angrily, "While he's busy insinuating that I have a conflict of interest, he's out there doing the very same thing!"
The remainder of the walk home was done in relative silence as Caroline ticked over in her head all that had happened and a possible plan of attack.
The ladies came to a stop outside Kate's house where Caroline's car was parked. Caroline leaned against the driver's side door, reluctant to leave. Instead she slid her arms around Kate's waist and held her in a close embrace and kissed her deeply, full of the love she had for this woman.
"Do you want to come home with me?" Caroline asked hopefully.
"Tempting as it sounds, "Kate replied, "I think you'll be too wound up about everything that has happened tonight to even notice I'm there."
"You could distract me," Caroline suggested giving her best seductive look.
Kate slid one hand between Caroline's coat and her blouse and slowly and deliberately ran her hand over Caroline's breast, along her neck and into her hair. Then she used both hands to bring their lips together once more for a final kiss.
"Not tonight, Dr Elliot," Kate smiled, "Goodnight."
"You tease," Caroline laughed gently, "Goodnight."
Friday morning found Caroline in her office early sorting through the final few forms for the auditors. Now that she had a plan her mind was clear and her thinking focussed. At ten o'clock Beverley phoned through to tell Caroline that Michael Dobson was waiting to see her as requested.
"Let him sweat a bit more," Caroline thought as she asked Beverley to give her five more minutes before sending him in. Caroline then reached into her bag and took out her phone. She found the photos she'd taken of Michael Dobson the night before – some were a little out of focus but the ones she wanted were crystal clear. On cue, Michael walked in the door as Caroline put the phone to the side on her desk. He looked at her apprehensively, unsure of what it was they had to discuss. Caroline gestured to Michael to take the seat opposite her. He sat down trying to look composed but fiddled nervously with the end of his tie. Caroline looked at him over the top of her glasses before removing them completely.
"Thank you for coming at such short notice, Michael. I'm sure you have other things you would rather be doing in your free period."
"That's fine, Dr Elliot," Michael replied politely.
"As I told the staff yesterday," Caroline began, "the Board of Governors is having a meeting on Monday to, shall we say, decide my fate. You may or may not know that a majority is needed one way or the other for a decision to be made. I've been told that presently there are five members resolutely in favour of me staying on, two that are undecided and three that are firmly against."
Michael sat silently wondering where this was leading. He watched intently as Caroline reached for her phone which she then placed in front of him with the photo on the screen of him sitting with the three mutinous board members.
"As you can see, this is a photo of you taken last night at a restaurant dining, coincidentally, with those same three board members who wish to terminate my employment."
"What are you implying, Dr Elliot?' Dobson replied with an attempt at bravado, "I was simply having dinner with some of my friends."
"Mm mm….you and I both know what is going on here, Michael"
"I'm sure I don't know what you are talking about," he continued to protest trying for offended.
Caroline ignored his empty denials and continued on.
"Ostensibly the Board of Governors meeting is about me having a relationship with a staff member but you and I both know that it is as much to do with the fact that I am in a relationship with another woman. Either way, however, the outcome of Monday night's meeting will set a precedence which the Board will be obliged to follow. Are you getting my drift here, Michael?"
The puzzled expression on his face made it clear to Caroline that she would have to explain further.
"So Michael, if the Board decides that I should resign then anyone else at Sulgrave Heath who is having a relationship with someone in a higher position of authority should also be required to resign particularly, I'm thinking, if that person is also in a similar kind of relationship."
It was here that Caroline then swiped the screen on her phone to show Michael further pictures of himself with Stephen Walsh walking hand in hand, talking and, the piece de resistance, kissing him. The colour drained from Michael's face as the penny dropped. He looked at the photos, each one sharp and undeniably incriminating.
"You were spying on me?" he asked accusingly.
"No, not really. You and your cohort just turned up at the same restaurant that Kate and I happened to be at last night. When I saw you with the others, it all made sense to me," Caroline explained matter-of-factly. "Then as we were walking home, there you were with Stephen Walsh. You really need to learn to be a bit more discreet, Michael."
After a long pause, Michael asked, defeat in his tone, "What do you want me to do?"
"I'm not asking you to do anything. It's totally your decision as to what you do. I'm merely informing you that a precedence will be set at this meeting and if the Board's vote goes in favour of asking me to resign then the chances are that either you or Stephen Walsh will also be required to resign once word gets out that you two are in a relationship or should these photos end up on the computer of the chairperson of the Board of Governors."
Michael contemplated for a moment then cleared the tension out of his voice and looked across at Caroline.
"I think that I can quite confidently say that the Board won't be asking for your resignation, Dr Elliot. I'm sure all the members recognise the high level of proficiency and competency you bring to this job and will vote in favour of retaining your services."
Michael knew that Caroline would be astute enough to read between the lines.
"Well let's hope so for both our sakes," Caroline replied, "I guess we will find out on Monday night. Now, if you don't mind, Michael, I have another appointment soon so leave the door open on your way out."
He'd been dismissed yet again by Caroline. Michael rose from his chair and headed towards the door.
"Oh, one more thing before you go, Michael."
He half turned to face her.
"Don't be so impatient to climb the promotional ladder. You're a good teacher. The students like you and respect you and we all appreciate your enthusiasm but things have to be done properly. There are no shortcuts. However, if you continue to resort to blackmail and backstabbing I'll make it my mission to ensure that you don't continue to teach at this school."
Michael dropped his head as if to look at his shoes, turned without a word and continued to make his exit.
Once Michael had left, Caroline attempted to get back to the pile of paperwork on her desk which, despite her best efforts, never seemed to decrease. However, she was feeling restless so instead she decided to take a walk along the corridors to see what was happening and to make her presence felt, if necessary. As she stepped out of her office and into the hallway she could see that it was almost empty except for one or two students who were late for class. They soon quickened their pace when they realised that Dr Elliot was patrolling. She walked the full length of both floors before ascending the staircase again and heading towards her office. As she was returning, Caroline noticed Kate about to enter the staffroom so she called out to her. Kate turned towards the voice.
"Hi," Caroline said coming up to her and smiling, genuinely pleased to see her for the first time that day. "Are you free or do you have a lesson to go to?"
"Hi," replied Kate returning the greeting and the smile, "I've got an hour free so I thought I'd have a bite to eat. I've got choir practice at lunch time."
"Do you want to join me in my office for some lunch, save me eating alone?" Caroline asked.
"Sure, I'll just go and get my food out of the fridge. I'll meet you there."
Caroline made her way back to her office, stopping at Beverley's desk on the way to ask her assistant to bring in a fresh pot of tea and two cups.
Before Caroline took more than a couple of steps into her office there was a light rap at the door and Kate walked in, closing it again behind her. Caroline's heart skipped a beat as it often did at the sight of her lover. Unable to resist the urge, Caroline stepped up to Kate, gently held her head in her hands and kissed her with more passion than even she realised she was capable of. When their lips unlocked, both women had to take a couple of deep breaths to regain their composure.
"Where did that come from?" Kate whispered when she was finally able to speak.
"I'm not sure myself," Caroline answered, slightly flustered. "Ummm….Beverley will be in in a moment with the tea," she added as she tried to pull her emotions together.
Kate followed Caroline to the table where they sat and chatted causally as they ate their lunches. Beverley brought in the tea and cups and left them to it.
"Did you see Michael Dobson this morning?" Kate inquired.
Caroline nodded her head and proceeded to give Kate a blow-by-blow description of what happened.
"Do you think he will be able to undo what he's done and get the three Board members to change their minds," Kate asked once Caroline had finished explaining.
"I don't know but he seemed confident. I guess we won't know until after the meeting."
Caroline was quite over the topic of Michael Dobson and his antics. She didn't like having to play his games; she found it quite tiresome on so many levels so she changed tact.
"Are you coming over tonight?"
"Do you want me to?" Kate teased, sure that she knew the answer.
"You know I do," Caroline replied, unable to keep the desire out of her voice.
"Then wild horses won't keep me away," Kate promised.
"Are you going to stay the night?" Very rarely did Kate not stay the night, but Caroline always needed to ask ….she didn't like to take it for granted or make assumptions.
"Sure," replied Kate, "I'll be over around seven if that's alright?"
"Speaking of the time..." Kate gathered her things together, gave Caroline a gentle kiss and rose to leave. "I'd better go. I've got 9F for the next hour."
"Bad luck," Caroline replied, "I'll see you tonight."
Kate left to go to her lesson and Caroline, once again, went back to the work at her desk.
A few minutes after seven o'clock Kate knocked on Caroline's door; William appeared and let her in.
"Mum's in the kitchen cooking up a storm," William explained as he took Kate's coat and hung it up.
The aroma emanating from the kitchen was mouth-watering.
Kate walked in to find Caroline taste-testing the contents of a large pot. She handed Caroline the bottle of wine she had brought and was rewarded with a radiant smile and a delicious kiss that tasted of spices and herbs.
"Dinner won't be too much longer," Caroline announced as she added a dash more of something, stirred and taste-tested again.
"It smells wonderful, Caroline. Do you want any help?"
"Everything is just about done, I think, but my wine glass is empty."
Taking the hint, Kate busied herself opening another bottle of wine and pouring them each a fresh glass. It was the beginning of what was to be, for the most part, a very pleasant, relaxed evening despite the events of the last week.
Caroline and Kate and the boys sat at the dining table and the meal was served. It was a case of help yourself. There was plenty of laughter and lively discussion as the food was devoured. However, the mood became a little more sombre when Lawrence decided to ask about some rumours he had heard about his mother resigning. Caroline decided that rather than brush the topic aside it was best she told her sons exactly what was happening as they may have to deal with the potential fallout. They listened in disbelief as Caroline explained to them what it was all about, however, she deliberately omitted to mention the part Michael Dobson played in it all. Both boys were quite shocked and angry. They thought the whole situation and treatment of their mother was grossly unfair. Neither one of them was willing to consider Sulgrave Heath with anyone else as the Head Teacher. Caroline assured them that she was confident of retaining her position, however, if she didn't, life would go on and she would do something else. They would be fine.
Shortly following the after-dinner clean up, William retired to his room, no doubt to read his latest book, and Lawrence headed for the television. Kate and Caroline relaxed on the settee. However, they didn't stay there long as the weariness that marks the end of the working week took over. Together, they headed up to the bedroom each with their unfinished glass of wine in their hand. They called out their "Good nights" to the boys as they passed by.
The following morning, as Caroline awoke from the depths of her sleep, she ran her hand over the sheets where Kate should have been only to find it empty. She opened her eyes and, struggling to find focus, realised that Kate wasn't in the room. As Caroline still had a tendency to do when it came to Kate, she did a quick panic….why had she left without saying good-bye? Had she done something to upset her? As Caroline was getting up to go in search, Kate came out of the bathroom fully dressed and obviously going somewhere, then Caroline remembered that Kate had told her, as they lay in bed talking the previous night, that she was planning to visit her father this morning at the nursing home.
"Why didn't you wake me?" Caroline huffed.
Kate walked over to where Caroline sat on the edge of the bed. She put her hand under her partner's chin and lifted her face so she could plant a quick kiss on her mouth.
"Good morning to you too," Kate laughed softly.
"Sorry. Morning. Why didn't you wake me?" Caroline repeated less gruffly.
"You looked too peaceful. I couldn't bring myself to disturb you."
"Give me twenty minutes and I'll be ready," Caroline said already hurrying towards the bathroom.
"You don't have to come, Caroline. It will be fine. I'll be back in a couple of hours."
"I said I will come with you so I'm coming! Now go make us some coffee. I'll be down shortly." Caroline used her most head mistressy voice but tempered it with a glint in her eye and a smile.
The drive to the nursing home wasn't too far, only 30 minutes or so. Caroline had offered to drive and Kate accepted. They travelled along for some time in a comfortable silence until Caroline ventured to ask Kate, "When did you first discover you were attracted to women?"
Kate turned to face Caroline with a look of surprise. "Dr Elliot, are you asking me a personal question?"
Caroline took one hand off the wheel to give Kate a playful slap on the leg. "Stop teasing me. I'm trying to be 'normal'," Caroline played along, "and stop trying to avoid the question."
Kate thought for a moment before answering. "I guess I've known since I was a teenager. I was often attracted to other girls but I didn't realise that girls could be more than friends. Then I went to university where I met Richard. He was nice enough, we went out for a few years and then he asked me to marry him. I think it was easier to say 'yes' than to face what it was that I really wanted…..How about you?
Caroline didn't need to consider the matter. She could remember it clearly.
"I realised when I was at university. There was this girl in my chemistry class…she was beautiful, intelligent….I used to find any excuse I could to be with her. Then one day we were studying together and she leaned over and kissed me…bold as you like. I fell head over heels for her…I even cut off my long hair for her. That's when I told my mother. She didn't take it well then either. She was shocked….she told me not to tell my dad or anyone else for that matter. That was the one and only time it was mentioned until recently, of course."
"What happened to this great love affair?'
"About eight months after it started her parents found out. They took her out of Oxford and they moved to the United States. They said the move was job related but I had my doubts at the time…still do. We didn't even have a chance to say good-bye."
"That's terrible," Kate interjected.
"Mm….It took me months to get over her. I threw myself into my studies…and grew my hair again. Then a couple of years later John came along and he was entertaining enough but, looking back at it all, I don't know what I was thinking when I married him ….he's always been a shallow-minded, self-centred jerk but there must have been something there….and, anyway, I have my two beautiful boys so it wasn't a total loss."
Caroline slowed down as a sudden heavy shower of rain made it difficult to see too far ahead.
"When did you first sleep with a woman?" Caroline asked. She was definitely on a roll.
Again Kate hesitated. It had been awhile since she had thought about these events.
"It was while I was still with Richard."
"You had an affair?" Caroline gasped, surprised.
"I guess so," Kate admitted, "and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. The emotional roller coaster ride isn't worth it and it always ends in tears for someone and in this case that someone was me."
"What happened?"
"Richard and I had been married for …oh, four years I think. Things were friendly enough but the spark had definitely gone out and I wasn't happy. Then a married couple moved in across the street. The woman and I became friends…..well, one minute we were chatting at the gate, then going to each other's house for coffee, then next minute we were in bed together. I didn't intend for it to happen ….it just happened."
"Did Richard find out?"
"Not as far as I know but by then I knew what it was I wanted …needed... to make me happy so I gradually pulled out of the marriage both physically and emotionally until it reached a point where we both decided it would be best to call it a day."
"What happened to the affair?"
"She fell pregnant so she decided that for the sake of the child she would try to make her marriage work. That's when I moved to Harrogate."
"How many women have you….."
Kate was saved from further interrogation by their arrival at the nursing home for which she was quite thankful. She wasn't sure Caroline was ready for the answer to the next question she was about to ask.
Their visit to the nursing home started off well. Kate's father appeared to be quite lucid and chatty. He even knew who they were. However, as he tired his mind became confused and his memory failed him once again. Kate was becoming visibly upset as her father began to treat her as a stranger and was constantly repeating himself. After almost an hour, they decided that it was best to leave him to the care of the nurses.
The ride home was quiet.
"Are you alright?" Caroline ventured, full of concern for her kind, caring Kate.
"I'll be fine," Kate replied, "it's very difficult to see someone who was so clever and vibrant end up like that and I feel quite helpless."
Caroline gave Kate's hand a reassuring squeeze. She could see tears rolling down her girlfriend's face. Her own eyes began to tear up. She hated to see Kate in pain like this but she didn't know what to say or do to make it better.
For the remainder of the weekend the bleak, rainy weather continued outside and seemed to dictate the mood inside. The boys remained scarce either in their rooms or at a friend's house. Kate and Caroline huddled comfortably together on the sofa and attempted to watch movies but both women were pensive and distracted…Kate was concerned about her father and Caroline worried over the possible outcome of Monday's meeting.
After Sunday lunch Kate told Caroline that she needed to go home so she could do some planning for the coming week.
"I'm sorry," Caroline apologised, "I haven't been very good company. This whole situation with the Board of Governors is getting to me."
"No need to apologise, Caroline. Sometimes all I need is to be with you," Kate reassured Caroline, "but if I don't get my planning done today then it will have to be done during the week so we won't have any time together. I've called a cab so you don't have to drive in this rain."
Caroline drew Kate in close in an affectionate hug. "I'm sorry. It wasn't a great weekend was it? I will be very glad when all of this nonsense is over one way or the other."
"It doesn't matter. Besides, I was rather preoccupied myself. There will be plenty more weekends together."
"I look forward to them," Caroline answered.
Kate kissed Caroline softly on the lips, "I love you."
Caroline replied with a deeper, loving kiss that she would have liked to prolong but the sound of the cab's horn in the driveway cut them short.
"I'll see you tomorrow." Kate pulled her coat around her and made a dash for the cab.
Caroline went about her Monday morning in the usual manner, deciding that it was best to stick to routine as much as possible and keep herself busy so as not to dwell on what the meeting might bring. However, by the afternoon she found herself totally distracted by the idea that she may lose her job at Sulgrave Heath and was unable to concentrate on anything else. There was also a nagging injustice she felt at the reason for her present dilemma. Caroline decided that she would go to the Board meeting that afternoon after all. There were things she wanted to say. She pushed aside the paperwork she'd been wrestling with, found a pen and paper and began to translate her thoughts into words. An hour later she was finished.
The meeting was to be held at 5:30pm. She still had an hour to kill so, rather than sit in her office and mull over the situation further, Caroline decided to take a walk in the school grounds and hopefully clear her head. She was painfully aware that this could possibly be the last time she would get to do this.
As 5:30pm approached, Caroline made her way back, gathered her notes and headed to Gavin's office where the meeting was to be held. As she arrived, she could see that most of the Board members were already present, only Stephen Walsh was missing. Gavin noticed Caroline's arrival and immediately walked over to greet her.
"I'm glad you came, Dr Elliot."
"If you don't mind, Gavin, I have something I would like to say to the Board at the start and then I will leave, if that's okay."
"Of course, that's fine."
Promptly at 5:30pm the Governors took their seats. Stephen Walsh had slunk in just before the meeting started and was already seated. Gavin opened the meeting and made its purpose clear to all the members then allowed Caroline to have the floor. Caroline stood at the end of the table. She could feel all eyes on her.
"I'm not going to stay for the entire meeting. I'm going to say my piece and then leave you to it," she explained. There was a brief pause. Caroline took a deep breath and continued, "Whether you realise it or not, I pour my heart and soul into this job every day and I think that I do it well. I value my job, however, I value my relationship more so I won't be putting it on the line. This situation, however, is not just about me, it's about the message that your decision will send to the students and the school community. If you decide to ask me to resign and let's be honest here, the point of contention is not so much that I am in a relationship with another staff member, it's the fact that the staff member is a woman….if you ask me to resign you are sending a message to the students that it is somehow wrong to be in a relationship of this nature. Can you imagine the affect that will have on the students in our school that are struggling with their sexuality or who identify as gay? It tells them that this Board discriminates against people like me and considers us unworthy of jobs such as this one simply because of our sexuality. And the message sent to those prone to bullying others is that it is alright to bully us because that is essentially what some people on this Board would like to do…bully me out of my job because I choose to live a lifestyle they don't approve of or understand. Finally, I'd like to ask you to consider the precedence you are setting here." Caroline looked over towards Stephen Walsh who tried desperately to avoid her gaze. "If you are going to use the fact that I'm in a relationship with another staff member to ask me to resign, then this will affect everyone else in a similar situation at this school now and into the future." Caroline stopped there for a moment to allow the Board members to digest her message then she finished by thanking the Board for the opportunity to speak. She reiterated that she hoped they would consider the matter carefully, putting aside any personal matters and do what is best for the school, its students and staff. She had said what she had to say. It was out of her hands now.
Caroline didn't recall much of the drive home as the events of the last week churned over and over in her head. Once home she walked in the door, hung up her coat and headed towards the kitchen, specifically the cupboard that held the wine bottles. When she entered it was with overwhelming pleasure that she saw Kate sitting at the kitchen bench, two glasses of wine in front of her (one for her Caroline assumed), reading a book. When she saw Caroline come in, Kate marked her page and closed the book.
"I thought I'd come over and help you get through the evening. I hope you don't mind."
Caroline looked at her beautiful partner, always thoughtful, always caring.
"Mind? How could I possibly mind?"
Caroline stood beside Kate and lightly ran her fingertips over her cheeks and across her lips and whispered, "Thank you….you are so wonderful.."
"And you, Caroline, are as magnificent as always," Kate whispered back.
They took their glasses of wine and headed for the comfort of the sofa where they could stretch out and be close. Once they were settled Kate asked, "How did the meeting go?"
"Who knows?" Caroline replied, "But on the way home I put it all into perspective. It's only a job and if I lose it I'll get another one. It's not like I'm losing you or one of the boys…..that would be irreparably life-shattering….devastating." Caroline stopped long enough to put a brief kiss on Kate's hand. "Anyway I decided this afternoon that it wasn't just about me it was about…."
Caroline was interrupted by the ringing of her phone. She picked it up off the coffee table, noting that the caller was Gavin. "That was quick," Caroline thought, "Is that a good sign or a bad one?"
She answered, "Hello….Gavin…"
Kate watched anxiously as the conversation transpired. She couldn't pick up any indication of the outcome from what she heard or Caroline's expression. She had to wait until Caroline hung up.
"Well...what did he say?" Kate asked apprehensively.
"He said that the Board voted unanimously in favour that I should…stay on as Head Teacher of Sulgrave Heath."
Kate wrapped her arms around Caroline, held her close and whispered, "That's wonderful." Tears of relief flowed down her cheeks.
Caroline looked puzzled. "I think you're more excited than I am. Why all the tears?"
"I'm just so relieved," Kate managed to say, "and….."
"And…what?"
Kate hesitated a moment then went on. "I haven't told you this but…I've been feeling like I'm mostly responsible for all this trouble that you've had to go through….if you weren't in a relationship with me then none of this would have happened."
Caroline looked at Kate in disbelief. Her immediate reaction was to scold her for having such ridiculous thoughts but, for once, she knew it wasn't the thing to do.
"Really? Is that how you felt?"
Kate nodded.
"But that's rubbish. You're not responsible for the narrow-minded thinking of some of those Governors…..and, besides, if it wasn't for my relationship with you, I would be some sad, pathetic creature holed up under a rock somewhere," Caroline scoffed gently, "it is because of you that I am the happiest I have been in my entire life, job or no job."
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely."
Caroline took Kate's hand and plied her palm with light kisses.
"Let's have another glass of wine to celebrate," Kate suggested, lightening the mood.
"Are you sure you want to do that? You've got to teach tomorrow."
"And you've got to be Head Teacher tomorrow…"
"You're right….let's celebrate."