Friday was a whirlwind of meetings and lessons and the first chance that Caroline got to see Kate was when she dropped in on her choir practice at the end of the day. She stood at the back of the hall, her arms folded and her head on one side, listening to the ensemble, feeling very proud of what Kate had managed to achieve in just a few short days.
After the children had been dismissed, Caroline walked slowly down the room and lightly touched Kate on the shoulder. She turned around and smiled at her, both women leaning in for the kiss until Caroline stopped and coughed in the back of her throat. She stood up straight and smoothed her jacket down.
"That sounded lovely Kate. The harmonies were almost flawless. You have done so well with them."
"Thank you. They really are easy to work with and have so many ideas that they are throwing into the pot. I already feel confident about the competition next weekend. Are you coming along to support us?"
"Absolutely. Yes. Lawrence has a rugby match over in Leeds so Angus' mum will drop him off and pick him up. And I am sending William off into town to sell himself and hand out his CV in the hope of getting a job. He isn't too keen on the idea but I was working when I was 16."
Kate laughed.
"So what about this weekend? What are your plans for this weekend?" Kate perched on the edge of the stage, her arms out at the side of her for support, her legs out in front of her. For a split second, Caroline looked at her and imagined her naked, her long dark body stretched out and hers for the taking. She felt flustered.
"Oh, I err, I I erm, I don't have any real plans per se. I will inevitably have some work to do at some point. When I do it will be my choosing. But I don't have any firm plans. The boys will be with their father on Saturday so that leaves me to do the boring stuff like cleaning the house and doing the washing."
Kate wrinkled her nose.
"You lead such an exciting life Dr Elliott. I would offer to help but I am allergic to dust and it brings me out in spots and a huge rash and I start to hyperventilate and then I will eventually collapse and go into a coma. You don't want that do you?"
"No, no I don't. Gosh, how bizarre! Are you really? Allergic I mean? I didn't realise."
Kate laughed at the worry on Caroline's face.
"No, no I'm not. But it was worth telling you that just to see the look on your face. Oh, I could kiss you Caroline. In fact"
Kate got up off the stage and started to walk towards Caroline. They were both smiling at what was inevitably about to happen when the door to the hall swung upon and slammed against the wall. Caroline spun around and straightened up.
"Oh, err, how how Miss Brightman. Good good afternoon. Are you well?"
"Yes thank you Dr Elliott. Oh, have I missed the choir practice?"
Kate was annoyed to see Sophie barging in the way she did and she walked off to tidy up her sheet music.
"Yes, you have. The children left about 10 minutes ago. I had just err just popped in to see how they were progressing. Miss McKenzie has done a fantastic job with the ensemble and their preparation for the competition next week is going well. I didn't have you down as a lover of choral music."
Caroline started down the hall towards Sophie, her composure regained, her curiosity awakened.
"Absolutely! I was brought up with that sort of music. My father was a vicar and I loved to sit and listen to him practicing with the choir when there was a wedding taking place. One of my favourite childhood memories is of me sitting at the side of him while he played the organ and I turned the pages of his music."
"Did you want me or Miss McKenzie? It's Friday evening and the weekend is upon us. You must have better things to do with your time."
Sophie looked over Caroline's shoulder at Kate, who had her back to them silently fuming. If they could have seen her face, they would have known that she was ready to burst. How dare she intrude the way she did, almost like she owned the place. Kate thought that their brush with Caroline might have changed her but she seemed just as cocky and self-assured as ever.
"I had dropped by to see Miss McKenzie, to offer my services next weekend at the competition. I know how excited the children will be and I thought that she might need someone on hand, someone who knows them and can, well, can get them to listen and take notice. And there will have a ratio you will need to stick to won't there?"
Caroline turned round and looked at Kate, who was walking up the hall with her briefcase. She was less red in the face and had calmed down considerably. She stopped at the side of her.
"Thank you Sophie but I think that we are OK for numbers. Dr Elliott is coming along to support her school and Mr Howarth, Tom, is also coming along. And I don't think there will be any spare seats on the coach. We only booked a 29 seater."
Sophie looked a little crushed.
"Oh, well, never mind. The offer still stands though if you ever need any help, an extra pair of hands. Right, I will leave you two ladies to finish off what you were doing and I will see you both on Monday. Have a good weekend." And Sophie was gone, almost jogging back down the hall and through the double doors.
Caroline let out a long sigh.
"Well, that was bloody close. I was just about to, well, we were nearly going to and gosh, she almost saw us. We really need to be more careful Kate."
Kate touched Caroline on the shoulder.
"But she didn't did she? Not that she would have seen anything anyway. Come on, I'll walk you out to your car."
"I just need to drop by my office first. If you are going to drag me away from my desk at 430pm on a Friday evening, I at least need to take some of my work home to make up for it."
"Who said anything about dragging you away? My intentions are purely honourable Dr Elliott. I am simply making sure that you are getting your work life balance right and helping you to your car with the mountain of paperwork I know is still sat on your desk. You don't have to leave now."
"Oh, that is disappointing. I was hoping for something a little less honourable. And how can I refuse an offer of an early finish on a Friday evening?"
The two women walked out across the forecourt, deep in conversation and laughing about something. They were in stride and they looked extremely comfortable with each other.
"So shall I see you at mine later or will that be difficult?"
Kate opened the back door of the car and dropped Caroline's bag onto the seat. Caroline stood with her arms folded, peering at the view that Kate was presenting her with. She stared at her bum and started thinking what she would like to do to her.
"Oh, err, I, err it will be difficult actually. My mother is coming round for supper and the boys will be home and, so erm, no I'm sorry Kate. Tonight will be a little awkward. I would invite you but it has become a bit of a tradition and I am not sure what my mum would think and well."
Kate looked disappointed. She wasn't sure what Celia would think about her daughter having a work colleague over for supper but she decided not to push the issue any further.
"Oh, OK. Tomorrow then? Perhaps you could come round for lunch?"
"Tomorrow will be almost impossible too. Lawrence needs a new pair of rugby boots and I need to make sure that he doesn't buy something totally unsuitable or non-regulation. So I need to take him into town. And then I have the reports from the independent review board to look at and then I"
Caroline stopped. The look on Kate's face was breaking her heart and she took hold of her hands.
"It won't always be like this you know. I just have a busy weekend that's all. They are usually busy weekends but this one seems to be unbelievably so. I tell you what. How about I come over to yours tomorrow evening? We can have a take away, watch a DVD or something?"
Kate smiled.
"Are you are sure that you can fit me in? Only you said earlier that you didn't have any plans this weekend. It seems to me like you are just making excuses Caroline."
Her hurtful tone hit home and Caroline dropped her hands.
"Why are you being so snippy Kate? Don't be like that. I have a family, a mother who lives next door, and a very important and busy job. It isn't always easy."
"Well thank you very much for reminding me that I have none of the above."
Kate started to walk away.
"Hold on. Why are you making this about you?"
"I'm not because it is always about you. Always. Have a good weekend Caroline. I'll see you on Monday."
"Wait Kate."
Caroline walked quickly after Kate and reached out for her arm. She turned her around.
"Please. I don't want to argue. This last week I have been the happiest I have been for a long long time, as long as I can remember in fact. My life just takes some planning, that's all. Tomorrow night. Please. I'll make it up to you, I promise."
Kate lowered her eyes and smiled.
"I'm sorry Caroline. I just want to be with you. I think about you all the time. I want to wake up with you, to go to sleep with you, to hold you in my arms."
Caroline's stomach flipped and she felt like her heart was going to burst right through her chest.
"Really? Really? I want to kiss you right here, right now but I know that I can't. Time is going to pass so slowly until we are next together. You are driving me crazy Miss McKenzie but I like it. Until tomorrow night."
Caroline hesitated for a split second. She wanted to touch Kate, to hug her but she knew that now wasn't the time nor the place.
"Good night Kate. Sleep tight."
And she watched Kate walk away from her. She turned around twice to smile at Caroline before she climbed into her little car and drove away.
Sophie, unseen by Kate and Caroline, had seen the whole exchange as they talked beside the jeep. She had stopped texting and sat forward, straining to see them properly. She couldn't hear what they were saying but she had seen the closeness of Kate and Caroline, the sudden change in mood and the way that Caroline had pacified Kate. Something was definitely going on between the two of them and she was determined to find out what it was.
"Lawrence, will you get me the jug of water off the side please. Without rolling your eyes at me."
He pushed himself away from the table and stomped off to fetch it. Caroline raised her eyebrows at Celia and carried on serving their evening meal.
"So we have reformed the competition choir at school and William is a part of the ensemble."
Caroline looked across proudly at him and smiled.
"Oh, that's a surprise. I would have thought that after the shenanigans last time you wouldn't dare."
Celia put down her fork and looked across at William.
"It was Miss McKenzie's idea Granny. She is a new language teacher but she is also very talented musically. She plays the piano and sings and everything."
"Well I play the piano but I wouldn't want to get involved with a bunch of ne'er do wells who do goodness knows what with goodness knows who when the teachers backs are turned."
"You're blowing it out of all proportions mum, not that I am condoning what they did. But it was 2 people who happened to be in a long term relationship who were very silly and, well they got caught doing something they shouldn't have been. Anyway, Miss McKenzie has made a very good judgement call. We are very lucky to have her at Sulgrave. She was round here the other night and"
"And she never went home Granny. Mum and Miss McKenzie had a girly sleepover. At their age! Can you imagine what they talked about? Wrinkle cream I suppose."
Celia laughed at the look on Lawrence's face.
"A sleepover?"
"It wasn't like that mum. Kate came over to discuss the choir and she ended up having a few glasses of wine and I persuaded her that it would be safer for her to stay here. She slept in the guest bedroom. We were not up all night chatting and giggling like two little school children. I happen to find her very interesting and stimulating and, well, I think that her and I could become friends. We are very alike in some ways but also very different in others."
"Oh, was that the night that John slept in the car? I saw him there when I went to catch the milkman so that I could pay him. I wanted to throw a bucket of cold water over his head."
William laughed and Celia touched his hand in acknowledgement. Neither of them was very fond of John after the way he had treated Caroline. Lawrence on the other hand could still see no wrong in his father.
"So, are you and him not, you know, not going to get back together?"
"Mother, can we discuss this later. I want to have a nice meal together, one where we aren't likely to argue. And certainly one where we are not going to discuss John."
They ate their meal in silence for a little while and then Lawrence piped up.
"Oh, those rugger boots ma. Don't bother. Angus has a pair that he says I can have. Well, he wants £30 for them. But they are just what I want. He has only worn them once. His mum got them of fEbay but they didn't really fit him. They are proper right nice."
"Proper right nice? What sort of language is that young man?"
Celia looked over at him and William stared back.
"What? That's they are. Oh Granny. Everyone talks like that nowadays."
"They might be proper right nice but are they regulation Lawrence?"
"Yeah Ma, of course they are."
Caroline nodded and smiled.
"I'll give you the money tomorrow."
She pushed around a potato on her plate, wondering how she might possibly spend her afternoon now that she didn't have to drag Lawrence around the shops looking for the right pair of boots.
Caroline made an early start on the reports she needed to read, picking one up almost as soon as she opened her eyes. She was determined to make the most of the day. By lunchtime, she had some everything she needed to do and the rest of the day was pretty much hers.
She texted Kate.
"Are you busy? x"
The reply was quick.
"Not really. Just shifting dust from one place to another. Why? Xx"
"Fancy lunch out somewhere? I could pick you up in an hour x"
"Will be waiting xx"
50 minutes later and Caroline was greeted by Kate as she opened the front door to her, smiling and looking as beautiful as she always did. She stood back and let Caroline pass, closing the door quickly. Both women were of the same mind and they almost fell into each others arms, their lips devouring each other, the hands caressing and fondling. They were both breathless and giddy by the time Kate drew breath and they laughed.
"Oh good Lord. Look at us, like 2 teenagers when their parents are out for the evening."
Kate delicately run her index finger along her bottom lip and smiled.
"I don't think you realise the effect you have on me Caroline. Are you sure you want to do lunch? We could just, you know, stay in."
Caroline was tempted but she had planned lunch and wanted to surprise Kate.
"Yes I'm sure. Grab a jacket and let's get going."
It was only a short drive to the Valley gardens and Caroline parked up at the top entrance.
"Oh, I thought we were going for lunch somewhere."
Kate looked a little disappointed.
"We are. Come on."
Caroline jumped out of the jeep and walked around to the boot. She opened it and pulled out a large picnic hamper and a blanket.
"Here, grab one handle. Let's find somewhere to sit."
Kate gasped.
"Caroline! How lovely. And how romantic. It's been ages since I had a picnic. "
"I thought it would be nice. I know it isn't the height of summer but it isn't raining and it is still warm enough to sit and eat al fresco."
They choose an ideal spot under a large tree with a view of Harrogate sprawling below them. Kate spread the blanket and Caroline opened the basket up. There was a veritable feast in there and Kate couldn't hide her delight. She had certainly thought of everything. There was salad, cold meat, cheese, crusty bread, pickles. Everything that they could have wanted.
"Wow. How long did it take to rustle up this?"
"Oh, not long. I only had to stop off and buy the bread. The rest of the stuff was already in. We had a food delivery last night so we were freshly stocked. I hope you like it."
"I love it! Thank you. You really need to be spontaneous more often."
They chatted about the choir competition the following weekend and then the conversation turned to their own childhoods and their experiences at secondary school.
"I never really fitted in at school. I think I was socially inept, you know, I didn't find it easy to make friends because I was selfish. I didn't know how to be a friend really. I had some good friends, in fact I still keep in touch with a few of them, but I was never very giving of myself. I think that was because I didn't have very good role models. My mum and dad were, well, they were just my mum and dad really. I did envy my friends because they all have lovely parents and I always hated having to invite them to my house because mine were a little, well, let's just say they were a little different in comparison. Birthday parties were the worse. I always pretended that I didn't want one when in fact I was aching to have one. And I, oh, sorry, I'm going on a bit aren't I?"
Caroline stopped talking and she stretched her legs in front of her and put her arms out behind her for support. She crossed her ankles and looked over at Kate.
"So how about you? Did you have a happy childhood?"
Kate was just about to answer when they both heard their names being called. They looked to their left and were mortified to see Sophie Brightman jogging along the path towards them. She speeded up and then stopped in front of them, bending over to catch her breath.
"I thought I recognised your black car in the car park. What are you doing here?"
Kate swept her hand over the remains of the picnic.
"Isn't it obvious? We are having lunch."
"Oh, how nice. "
Caroline couldn't work out whether she was being sarcastic or genuine.
"I would ask if you would like to join us but, well, we have nearly eaten everything. What a shame you didn't arrive 10 minutes earlier."
Caroline faked a smile and sat forward, busying herself with the plates and the remains of the food.
"Oh, that's OK. I still have another 30 minutes left of my route. Don't want to go getting stitch do I? See you Monday."
And as quickly as she had appeared, she was off again leaving the Kate and Caroline to wonder what she had made of the scene she had stumbled upon.
Sophie, on the other hand, was in no doubts whatsoever about what she had seen. The mystery woman that Kate had alluded to was none other than Dr Caroline Elliott.