Caroline had just finished cleaning up the broken plate that she had dropped when Lawrence came bundling into the kitchen looking for something to eat.

"Morning ma. What's for breakfast?"

He went straight to the fridge and picked up a carton of juice.

"Get a glass! Er, what would you like? I can do bacon and eggs."

"Perfect." He was just about to leave the kitchen again when Caroline called him back.

"Lawrence, I need to talk to you. Sit down please."

"It wasn't me mum. It was Seb. He was the one that did it. You can ask anyone."

Caroline placed her hand on her hip and stared at him.

"Seb Dixon did what? What did he do? Oh, never mind. Come and sit down please."

Lawrence shuffled across the kitchen and hauled himself into one of the chairs.

"Is this really bad mum? You look like you've been crying. Is this serious? Has granny died?"

"No granny has not died. Well at least I don't think she has. She was in here about an hour ago. No, I need to tell you about, well, I tell you something about me. I need to tell you about me and Kate, Miss McKenzie. You know we are friends, right?"

Lawrence nodded.

"And sometimes friends, well they become more than just friends."

He stared at her, a frown developing on his face as he tried to comprehend what she was saying.

"Right."

"Yes. And sometimes, friends can start to like each other as more than just friends and they want to take their friendship to another level and they, oh gosh, this is hard."

Lawrence spoke.

"We are still talking about you and Miss McKenzie aren't we?"

"Yes, yes we are."

Caroline was beginning to think that she might just need to tell him straight. She took a deep breath.

"Lawrence, I need you to listen carefully to me. Miss McKenzie and I we are, we are seeing each other."

Lawrence frowned and screwed up his face, not quite understanding what Caroline was trying to tell him.

"Yes, I know. You see each other every day."

"No, I mean we are seeing each other. Like a couple. We are dating."

She stopped and looked at Lawrence. He slowly lifted his head and opened his mouth but no words came out. He closed his mouth and opened it a few times and then looked down at his hands, interlacing his fingers and lifting them up alternately.

"But you are a woman and so is she. Does that mean that you are, that you and her are …"

"Yes Lawrence. I am gay, we are both gay. This didn't just happen overnight you know. It isn't something that I just decided to do. I have known about this for a long time."

"But you and dad, you are married, and you have me and William. You have kids. You can't be gay."

Caroline stood behind Lawrence and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Yes I am. I know this is hard for you to understand. I don't love you and William any less you know. I think I would always have had you, my boys."

She tightened her hold on him but he shrugged his shoulder and turned around, slipping off the stool and standing in front of her, his 15 years evident in his height.

"You are disgusting and you have ruined my life. I hate you, do you know that?"

"Lawrence, don't say that. Please, try to understand."

He glared at her one last time before turning round and slamming the door behind him. Caroline could hear him running up the stairs, taking them two at a time. She waited expectantly for his bedroom door to slam and winced when it did.

"Well that was a success. Not!"

Caroline spent the rest of the day cleaning the house and preparing food. She knew that both her mum and Aunty Muriel would judge her based on how clean her kitchen was or how much her scones had risen and she was determined not to give them anything to grouch about.

William took a break from his studying at lunch time and they spoke about Kate.

"It's still early days yet William but I, well, I know that this is what I want. Kate is who I want. I can't explain it really."

William looked at her and Caroline was amazed by the wisdom behind his eyes.

"I understand, really I do. You don't have to try to explain it to me, to anyone."

Caroline took his hand and smiled at him.

"Thank you William. Thank you for being so understanding and not judging me. This is hard for me you know. It is hard to admit that after 20 years of being with your father, this isn't who I am. I will always be your mum, yours and Lawrence's. I just won't be his wife anymore in any sense of the word."

Lawrence also ventured into the kitchen and it was evident that he hadn't gotten over the shock of the news.

"Can I get you any lunch?"

He ignored Caroline and went straight to the fridge.

"Lawrence, please. You can't carry on ignoring me you know. Try to see this from my point of view."

He spun round, the fridge door handle still in his grip, and glared at her.

"And what point of view is that? When I went to bed last night, you were my mum, my straight mum. And when I got up this morning, you were as bent as a ten bob note."

Caroline stopped cleaning the side and looked at him.

"But I am still your mum. I am still the same person. And it really isn't like that you know. I didn't suddenly think "Oh, I tell you what, I have had enough of men so I am going to see what this lesbian lark is all about." I have always been this way, it's who I am, it's in my genes. God, what do they teach you at that school?"

"I don't know. Perhaps you should have a word with the head teacher. I hear that she knows a thing or two about muff munching."

Caroline suddenly realised what he had just said and she picked up her cloth again and carried on cleaning. She decided to ignore the remark but Lawrence wasn't ready to let this lie.

"So what is next on the PHSE agenda at the school then Dr Elliott? Are you going to review the curriculum and give the pupils pointers so they can spot a bean flicker at 10 paces? Perhaps you should line up all the teachers and have us pick out the straight ones."

Caroline threw her cloth down.

"Enough Lawrence! I will not have any homophobic remarks bantered about in my house, regardless of my sexuality or anyone elses' for that matter. Just because someone is gay does not make them a worse person. People don't choose who they would fall in love with."

"You are unbelievable you know. You have known Miss McKenzie for 5 minutes and now you are declaring your love for her."

Lawrence was red in the face and he stood ramrod straight, his arms by his side and his fists balled.

"I said no such thing. I said that Miss McKenzie and I are seeing each other, we are a couple. It is still very early days yet."

"Yeah, whatever mum. Well, don't expect me to be happy for you. In fact, don't expect me to live with you anymore. I want to live with dad."

Caroline folded her arms and looked at William for some support. He looked down at the kitchen counter and then stood up and walked over to Lawrence.

"Look, mum is still mum isn't she? She didn't grow 2 heads overnight. She isn't going to stop loving you just because she is ready to face who she really is. Lawrence, you need to grow up and get used to the idea. And if you want to go and live with dad, feel free. Fill your boots. You will be back here within the week, I bet you anything. They don't even have food in the house most of the time. And where would you sleep?"

Lawrence stuck out his bottom lip.

"I don't care. I'm going to ring dad now and ask him to come and pick me up."

Caroline shrugged at William and turned to face Lawrence.

"Oh, Aunty Muriel is coming over for tea tonight so it would be nice if you could put in an appearance and say hello. Granny is coming round too and, err, Kate, I have invited Kate."

"No thanks. I think I'll pass. I have some packing to do."

And he left the kitchen balancing a large plate full of food.

"Well, at least you won't starve if your dad agrees to pick you up."

Kate arrived promptly and Caroline couldn't hide her smile as she opened the door to her.

"Hi! Come on in."

She stole a kiss before Kate stepped into the hall way.

"Here, let me take your coat."

Caroline helped her out of her coat and lovingly stroked her neck, leaning forward to plant small kisses around her hairline.

"Oh, the boys know. About us I mean. I've told them."

Kate turned round. She ran her finger around Caroline's top lip and traced the cleft in her chin with her thumb.

"How did they take it?"

"Well, William was very understanding. He already knew. Well, he suspected. And Lawrence hates me. In fact, he is probably on the phone this very minute asking John if he can go and live with him."

Kate wrapped her arms round her and pulled her close.

"I am sure he will come round. It's a big thing for him you know. And your mother?"

Caroline leaned out of the embrace and looked Kate squarely in the face.

"My mother? Oh, my mother. Well, you see, the thing is, I thought that I ought to wait until, well until after Aunty Muriel has left. She is in enough of a state as it is, my mother. She doesn't need me to add to the unexplained anxiety."

"Caroline! You promised."

"I know I did and I will tell her, I will. Just not today. Come on, I'll get you a drink."

She held out her hand which Kate took and led the way into the kitchen. William was preparing a salad and he wiped his hands and offered one to Kate.

"Miss McKenzie. Hello."

"Hello William. And it's Kate. You can call me Kate when we aren't at school. How are you? How is the revision going?"

William rolled his eyes.

"Not too bad although the maths is proving a little difficult."

Kate laughed.

"I'm sorry but I can't help you with that. Maths really isn't my strong subject."

William smiled.

"Mine neither! It's OK. I am going to Mr Robertshaw's revision classes next week. It might help me focus a little more on the areas where I am struggling. Can I get you a drink?"

Caroline was stood watching the exchange feeling extremely proud of her eldest son.

"Sorry Kate, you must think me very rude. Yes, a drink. What would you like? I have juice, coffee, wine. Take your pick."

"Is it too early for a glass of wine?"

Kate looked over at Caroline and her huge eyes made Caroline go weak at the knees.

"Well, considering that you are about to meet my mother and I am meeting my Aunty Muriel for the first time in about 10 years, I don't think it is too early."

And she laughed as she poured them both a very large glass.

Celia's face appeared at the kitchen window at 4.45pm and she was surprised to see Caroline and William chatting to someone. Had Caroline forgotten that Muriel was coming at 5pm? She knocked loudly on the glass and waited to be let in.

"Mum. Hello."

Caroline stepped to one side to let her in.

"Mum, this is Kate, one of my friends from work. Kate, this is my mother Celia."

Kate stood up and extended her hand to Celia. She gently shook it and smiled at her.

"Hello. Kate you say? Oh, Caroline hasn't mentioned your name before."

"Yes she has granny. We were chatting about her over dinner the other night. Remember? Kate is the one who has restarted the choir."

Celia frowned at William.

"Oh yes, I remember now. The foolhardy one who thinks that she can repair the school's reputation? Well, good luck to you."

Kate smiled at her.

"Thank you. I'm sure I won't need it."

"Have you forgotten that Muriel is coming?"

Caroline shook her head.

"No, no, I hadn't forgotten. I could hardly forget after I have been cooking since the early hours of this morning. No, I invited Kate to join us for a bite to eat."

Celia leaned on the counter and looked directly at Caroline.

"But this is family business. Muriel is coming to discuss my father's personal effects."

"And Kate is a friend. A close friend. And I don't think we will be discussing anything that Kate cannot be present for."

Kate started to feel uncomfortable.

"I can leave if you like, if you think I am going to be in the way."

"There's no need Kate. I asked you here. This is my house. And I would like you to stay."

She lay her hand on Kate's arm and stroked it with her thumb. This didn't go unnoticed to Celia.

"How long did you say you had known Kate for?"

"I didn't. I said that Kate was a teacher at school. If it makes a difference, Kate started in September so I would say I have known her for a little over a month."

"Oh I see. Well I would rather she wasn't here but as you say this is your house."

Celia folded her arms and walked across the kitchen towards the table that Caroline had prepared. She lifted the tinfoil covers on some of the dishes and nodded disapprovingly at a few of them. Caroline glared at her and would have made a comment if she hadn't have caught Kate's eye. She was smiling and looked ready to burst into a fit of giggles.

"What?"

Caroline mouthed the word.

Kate screwed up her eyes and her grinned widened. She shook her head and covered her mouth with her hand. Caroline smiled back and gave a shallow cough.

"What time did Aunty Muriel say she was coming?"

Celia turned round and walked back up the room towards them.

"5pm. She'll be here any minute now. You know how she likes to be on time."

And she was. At exactly 5pm, the doorbell rang and Caroline stood up.

"I'll get it shall I?"

Walking down the hallway, she stopped to check herself in the mirror, straightening her blouse and smoothing down her hair slightly.

"Aunty Muriel! How lovely to see you. Please, come in."

Caroline opened the door wide and leaned forward and kissed Muriel on the cheek before waving her into the house.

"Here, let me get that."

Muriel handed Caroline her jacket and stood timidly.

"Oh sorry. Straight through there, into the kitchen. Mum and William are in there. Oh, and a friend from work, Kate."

Muriel walked down the hallway, slowing down to take a look in the living room.

"You have a lovely house Caroline. Your mum said it was big but I wasn't quite expecting this."

"Thank you. It has taken some doing but it is finally the way I want it. Well, for now at least. Can I get you a cup of tea? The kettle has just boiled. Or perhaps you would like a coffee. It's just as quick to put on the espresso machine."

"Tea would be lovely, thank you. Celia!"

As Muriel entered the kitchen and saw her sister, she held out her arms to her. Celia reluctantly stood up and stepped into them.

"Muriel. It's been a long time."

"Too long I think. How are you? I must say you look very well."

Celia took two paces back.

"I'm very well thank you. You don't look so bad yourself."

Muriel smiled.

"I was just telling Caroline what a lovely house she has. Oh goodness me. Is this William? You have grown so tall. Look at you! You were knee high to a grasshopper the last time I saw you."

William smiled meekly at her.

"And this must be your friend. Pleased to meet you."

Muriel feebly shook Kate's hand and looked her up and down a few times.

"So you work with Caroline do you? What is she like as a boss?"

Kate smiled.

"Very good. She is a very good boss. She certainly knows how to make her staff feel valued."

Caroline coughed and turned her head.

"Would you err would would how about we sit down and have something to eat. Aunty Muriel, you must be hungry after your long drive over."

"Well, I dare say that I would be able to eat a bit of something. Thank you."

They all made their way to the table and Celia looked around her.

"No Lawrence? It isn't like him to miss out on a meal. Is he feeling alright?"

Caroline and William exchanged glances.

"I err I sent him upstairs with a flea in his ear. He was rude to me earlier and he, well, he said some very harsh things. I expect he will come down when he is hungry."

"What sort of things?"

Celia was curious.

"It doesn't matter. Can we just forget about Lawrence please."

Caroline started to uncover the food and they all sat down.

"You can sit where you like. Please, help yourselves."

Conversation was stilted and slightly awkward as they started eating.

"This looks lovely Caroline. You shouldn't have gone to all this trouble for me."

"Oh, it was no trouble Muriel was it Caroline?"

Caroline opened her eyes wide and then faked a smile.

"No, no, no trouble at all. This was just something that I knocked together. So Aunty Muriel, mum tells me that you have found some of her father's old papers and you think that you might have uncovered some shares in a company."

"Just like our Caroline to get straight to the point."

Celia put down her fork and wiped her mouth on a napkin.

"It's fine Celia, honestly. Yes, that's right Caroline. It would appear that he bought a substantial amount of shares when he retired and they are now worth a small fortune. The business has expanded since dad worked there and they have branches all over Yorkshire. This could be quite a windfall."

"How come they weren't found before? The share certificates I mean. Hasn't he been dead for a long time now?"

William was intrigued by this and was weighing things up in his mind.

"They were shoved in an envelope at the back of some other papers and left in a drawer of his old bureau. It was only because I was clearing it out ready to get shot of it that I found them."

"Dad's old bureau? The one he used to keep in the back room? You can't sell that bureau. I love that bureau. Oh Muriel, please don't sell it."

Celia was dismayed and she looked at Muriel with imploring eyes.

"At least let me have first refusal. I am sure that I will find somewhere to put it."

"You're welcome to it if you can come and collect it. I always hated it. I only kept hold of it for this long because I knew you liked it."

Caroline and Kate exchanged glances and, sensing the awkwardness, they carried on eating.

"Anyway, they looked all official and I had my solicitor look at them and he says that we should be able to sell them and "

Caroline stopped eating.

"Wait a minute. How many shares does he have? If he owns a part of the company, surely it makes them worth more than just a few quid."

"What do you mean Caroline?"

Celia and Muriel looked at her.

"Well, it will be like your father has been a sleeping partner for all these years won't it? Owning a part of the company but not having any say in how it operates. But now all that changes doesn't it? As a shareholder, you would have some say in how the company works. Like being able to make decisions on the day to day running. Well, potentially it will anyway. I don't know the ins and outs of how all this works but it would be worth discussing this in more detail with a solicitor first before just deciding to sell the shares!"

"What would me or our Muriel want with a business we know nothing about? Neither of us know how to run a business."

"No, Caroline is right Celia."

Kate had been listening to the conversation intently.

"You should seek proper legal advice about what this means for you before just deciding to cash in the shares. Are either of you ready to run a business even? Oh, this is so exciting!"

"Is it? And who asked you?"

"Mum, how rude! Kate was just backing up what I have already said."

"Exactly! Repeating your words. You aren't at work now you know. You don't have to agree with everything that Caroline says."

Kate squirmed in her chair and she lowered her eyes. Caroline glared at Celia.

"Stop it."

The words were said silently through gritted teeth and the look on Caroline's face told Celia that she had gone too far.

"No, no, Kate is right. I think we need to think about what this really means for us Celia. I mean, what do either of us know about running a business? 'Appen we should just sell them. They might not be worth anything anyway."

Caroline interrupted.

"It seems to me like there are lots for you 2 to discuss before you make any decisions. All I will say is that you shouldn't go rushing into things."

"Well, if anyone is interested in what I think, I think we should sell them. I'm beggared if I know the first thing about all this business lark."

Celia leaned forward and helped herself to another sandwich.

"What do you think our William?"

William had been sat silently listening to the goings on, watching the dynamics of the females around the table.

"I think that what everyone has said is all very valid and I think that Mum and Kate are right. You need to take expert advice and you need to weigh up all the pros and cons."

"Well, that's settled then. Caroline, is there any more tea in the pot?"