They made their way through the Peace Gardens and to the all-you-can eat buffet restaurant. They were shown to their tables and Kate and Tom organised the children while Caroline took a table by the window. She took her phone out of her bag and noticed a text message and a voice mail.

The text was from Lawrence telling her that they had "smashed" their rugby match and were now second in the table. She texted back telling him that that was excellent news and reminded him to make sure that his dirty kit was washed. She then sent him a PS text telling him to behave himself and not to stay up all night watching DVDs and playing video games.

The voicemail was from Celia.

"Hello love, it's me, your mum. Are you there? Oh, I hate talking to these things. Anyway, our Muriel has rung and she has heard from her solicitor about the shares. They want to buy them off us. It might mean that I have to have her over for tea again or we will have to trek to bloody Sheffield but I'll speak to you tomorrow. Bye. Bye bye."

Caroline smiled and hung up. She had no intention of ringing her back tonight. It could wait until she was home tomorrow. She was pleased that her mum and Muriel were finally talking to each other even if it was somewhat forced at times. She knew that this discovery in the old bureau had brought more than just money for the two of them.

"I can't help but feel disappointed for the children. I know that I am biased but they did put on a damn good performance."

Kate and Tom had returned to the table and Kate put her food down and looked across at Tom who nodded in agreement.

"To be honest Kate I was very pleasantly surprised. I didn't expect you to have done so much with them in such a short space of time. Well done. I have certainly spotted a few potential leads for the next school show. I'm thinking of doing Back to the 80s. There are some fab numbers in it."

Kate smiled.

"How exciting! I love 80s music. And yes, the choir have come a long way haven't they? I have really enjoyed working with them."

"You speak as though this is the end of the road for you."

Caroline looked quizzically at her.

"No, not at all. I just meant that getting the children ready for this competition and actually being part of it all was fun. But what next for us? Where do we go now, the choir?"

Caroline tutted.

"The Christmas Fayre, that's where. Surely you can't have forgotten our discussion about the large Christmas tree in the entrance hall and the choir standng around it singing carols? And there will be other opportunities, other events. This isn't the end of the choir just because we weren't successful in the competition. I am sure that Tom will want an ensemble in his end of year production."

"I know. It just feels like a bit of an anti-climax for the children."

"Rubbish! They will love it, trust me."

Caroline got up from the table and went to help herself to some food. Tom turned to Kate and smiled.

"You 2 are good together you know. I was almost going to say cute but I don't think cute is the right word."

Kate stopped, her glass half way to her mouth and looked at him.

"It's OK, she told me, Caroline. I had sort of guessed, well me and the rest of the staff that heard you and Sophie have that argument."

"I don't know what to say. It just sort of happened. There is just something so, oh I don't know, wonderful about her. I lied to Sophie though about me and Caroline though which was regrettable. We just weren't ready to tell people and we certainly didn't want her to be the first to know. I am a little worried what she will do when she finds out."

Tom put down his fork and looked up at her.

"Is that what that was all about when she came crying to me about you and her in the classroom? I went to Caroline you know. I am sorry Kate but I felt that I ought to report it."

"That's OK Tom. You did what you had to do. Sophie ended up admitting that I hadn't thrown myself at her and that the kiss was very mutual so it turned out the way it was supposed to do in the end. That was also very regrettable but I was rather flattered by the attention. Anyway, Caroline discussed the incident with Gavin, the chair of Governors and it was all sorted out. In fact only the other day, Caroline told him about us. We really have nothing to hide now so as far as I am concerned, Sophie can do whatever the heck she likes."

Caroline returned to the table and sat down.

"Who can do what the heck they like?"

"Oh, we were just chatting about us and about Sophie Brightman and Susan."

Caroline looked uneasy.

"Saying, err, what what what were you saying?"

"It's OK, really it is. No one is gossiping about you, believe me. Your revelation is already yesterday's chip paper."

She smiled at Tom.

"Thank you Tom. I am not entirely sure I am convinced that this will be end of it but it is a relief to know that we aren't the talk of the staff room. Mind you, the way I feel today I really couldn't care less. I am ready to take on the whole world. But first, we have a play to watch."

The performance was incredible and all the children seemed spell bound by George and Lennie. On the short walk back to the hotel, Caroline noticed Jessica and Chelsea talking animatedly to Tom.

"This must be the first time I have seen those two excited about something educational. I hope it doesn't wear off by Monday when they get to their English class. I think those two could do really well if they just tried a bit harder and had a bit more motivation. Look how committed they have been to coming to choir practice."

"Yes but look at the boys that are on the back row of the choir. Who can blame them really? Bradley and Josh are quite popular with the girls I hear."

Kate gasped.

"Dr Elliott! Do you mind? I am shocked! And I thought you only had eyes for me."

Caroline touched Kate's hand and she gently took it, enjoying how it felt to be holding hands in public. They smiled at each other and moved closer so their shoulders touched. They laughed together and then moved apart as they heard the shrill voice of Jessica.

"Miss. Miss. Hey, were you holding hands then Miss? Were you?"

Caroline coughed.

"Yes. Yes we were Jessica. Now tell me, did you enjoy the play?"

Jessica looked first at Kate and then at Caroline and carried on talking.

"Yeah, it's been reyt good Miss, all of it. I never thought I would enjoy that play because I get lost in class when we read it. I didn't really know what it was all about but now I do. So thanks for taking us to see it. And it doesn't matter that we didn't win and get to go to London does it? I think that we are proper reyt good together, the choir, and I think that we will have a good chance next year and I think"

"I think that you need to slow down a little bit Jessica. I am so glad that you have enjoyed everything about today and I am looking forward to reading your essay when it is written. Now, it is very late and we have had a very long day. Why don't you catch up with Chelsea and the others and Miss McKenzie and I will bring up the rear and make sure that no one gets left behind."

"Thanks Miss. Good night Miss. Oh, and I think it's cool that you hold hands and that you don't care what anyone else thinks. Oy, you lot. Wait for me."

Jessica ran off and Caroline started laughing.

"Do you think she will say anything to the others about us holding hands?"

Kate looked a little worried and Caroline picked up her hand again.

"No, no I don't think she will. It's cool remember?"

"It never fails to touch me, the friendship between George and Lennie you know. Life really is precious isn't it and we are so lucky to have the lives that we have. Nice houses, good jobs, loving families."

Caroline turned onto her side and faced Kate who was sat up in bed reading. She took off her glasses and kissed Caroline on the nose.

"You're such a softy. I forget that about you sometimes."

Caroline wrinkled up her nose and smiled. Kate reached up her arm and Caroline nestled into her, laying her arm across her stomach and squeezing her.

"This feels so right, you and me. I am sorry you know that I was a little bit weird about it all in the beginning. I want this to work. I don't think I have ever wanted anything more than I want this."

Caroline lifted her head up and looked at Kate.

"Are you serious? Caroline, are you sure this is what you want? Only sometimes I'm not so sure."

"Absolutely. You're not getting cold feet are you?"

Caroline lifted herself up onto her elbow and looked over at Kate.

"Kate?"

Caroline was suddenly feeling very frightened. She had given Kate everything she had and now Kate appeared to be backing away.

"No, I'm not getting cold feet. I am comfortable with who I am. I am just not sure that you are Caroline. I have fallen very fast for you and taken a very big chance. It would break my heart if you were to decide you had made a mistake and you wanted to go back to your old life, to James."

"John. Kate, his name is John. And I don't want John. I want you. Why won't you believe that?"

Tears were spilling down Caroline's cheeks and Kate continued.

"I know that we have only known each other a few short weeks but ever since I first saw you at my interview, I have been unable to get you out of my head. I spotted the wedding ring and I suspected that you were straight but that didn't matter to me. You have been in my dreams almost every night since then and you haunt my waking hours. "

"Really?"

Caroline wiped her tears with the palm of her hand.

"I had imagined that we might be friends perhaps and that we might go out for coffee or something. And then for us, for this to happen, it's all beyond my wildest imagination. I don't know what I would do if you ever said you didn't want me anymore."

"Oh Kate. I had no idea. I will always want you. Come here."

Kate slid down across the bed into Caroline's arms and she held her tight, smoothing her hair and stroking her face.

"I love you Kate McKenzie. I think I have been waiting all my life for someone like you."

Kissing away her tears, Kate looked up at Caroline and into the blue eyes that always held her captivated. She really wanted to make love to her, to let her know how much she meant to her but she wanted to hold her even more and to feel her close.

They fell asleep in each others arms and were still in the same position when the sun streamed through their curtains the next morning.

It didn't take long for the shower to warm up and Kate stepped inside, calling out to Caroline.

"Come on in, it's big enough for both of us."

Kate reached out and took Caroline in her arms, watching the rivulets of water run down her hair, making it flat and smooth. She pushed back her fringe with her hand and smiled lovingly at her.

"Have I ever told you how magnificent you are?" she said.

"Err, no no I don't think you have Miss McKenzie."

Kate smiled at her and squirted some shower gel into her hands. She ran them over Caroline's breasts.

"Why don't I just show you?" and she moved forward and starting lathering the gel, making sure she paid particular attention to her nipples.

The soap ran down Caroline's belly and collected in her soft curls. Kate moved her hand down and starting rubbing the soap some more, teasing Caroline with her fingers.

"If you don't stop, I will be forced to take action." She smiled at her and Kate smirked.

"Bring it on".

Caroline poured shower gel into her hands and rubbed them down Kate's back and over her buttocks. She slipped her hand between her legs and started exploring.

Kate lowered her mouth to Caroline's breasts and started to gently bite her nipples, flicking her tongue rapidly from the left to the right. She cupped her breasts and kneaded them between her thumb and forefinger. Caroline continued to explore Kate and gently moved her fingers in and out, stroking her clitoris with her thumb.

Kate grabbed onto Caroline as her legs started to buckle under the sheer force of the orgasm that was ripping through her. She leaned all her weight onto Caroline's hands, making the most of the feeling of ecstasy.

"One word. Wow."

Caroline laughed and threw her head back, rinsing off her body and her hair.

"Come on you. We have 22 hungry children to organise. The last thing I want is for them to go home and tell their parents that they were neglected because their teachers were too busy doing other things."

When they arrived back at school, Caroline was glad to be able to hand all the children safely back to their parents. However, she was sad to be going in the opposite direction to Kate. They had spent a wonderful time together and Caroline wasn't ready for it to end.

They were the last to leave and they walked slowly to their cars, neither of them speaking. William was sat in the back of the jeep watching his mum and Kate. It didn't matter to him that his mum was gay. What mattered was her happiness and he could tell just by looking at her that she was.

"Kate, would you like to come back to mine. You can stay if you like. I mean you have all you need in your bag and I just thought that you might "

"Yes."

"Might be too tired to cook and … what did you say?"

"Yes Caroline. I said yes."

Caroline turned to her and smiled. Kate's heart started fluttering and she smiled back.

"You really ought to stop looking at me like that in public you know. I might, well one day I might just"

"What? Do this?"

Caroline leaned forward and kissed her and Kate smiled feeling very happy.

"Come on, you can leave your car here and travel to work with me in the morning. It doesn't make sense to take both cars."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely. I don't care what anyone else thinks, I told you that Kate. Everyone else can, well, everyone else can just sod off."

Kate and Caroline were in the kitchen when Celia's face appeared at the window. Caroline looked up and walked over to the door and let her in. She leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek.

"Hello love. How long have you been back?"

"Not long. I was just going to come round and see you. How was Lawrence?"

"I didn't see him much really. He came round last night because he said there was no food in the house. Too lazy to cook more like it. So we ordered takeaway pizza. Can you believe it? Me eating pizza."

Celia turned as Kate laughed.

"Sorry Celia. I wasn't laughing at you. You just reminded me of my mum."

"What's she like, your mum?"

Celia lifted herself up onto one of the stools and looked at Kate.

"Like me in a lot of ways. She lives in America so I don't see her much. But when we get together, we have a great time. We like to eat out, shop for things we don't really need, watch romantic films on the TV. I think you would like her you know. She is still very English even though she has been away from here for a number of years."

Celia smiled.

"I think I'd like that. We could put the world to rights the two of us. Does she know about you being a lesbian?"

Caroline looked at Celia.

"Mum!"

"It's OK Caroline. Yes, she does. She has known for a long time now and has always been alright with it. And she knows that I have someone special in my life. I love your daughter Celia and I have no intention of hurting her."

"Well just make sure you don't because she is the happiest she has been for a long long time. I would hate to see her sink into depression again."

"Mum, will you please stop!"

Celia walked over to Caroline and took her hand in her own.

"I know, you know about you being ill. I stood back and watched you tear yourself up inside when John left. There isn't much that gets past me. Now, I only came in to check that you were home. I'm going to go back round to my little flat. Songs of Praise is on in 10 minutes."

"You don't have to go on my account Celia."

Celia turned and looked at Kate, smiling knowingly as she did.

"It's OK love, I know when I am not wanted. You two ladies need your privacy. I'll see you tomorrow."

Caroline raised her eyebrows at Kate.

"Well, that was a turn up for the books."

Caroline lay in bed watching Kate in the bathroom. She looked slowly around the bedroom, envisaging what it would look like with all Kate's things in there: her perfume on the top of the drawers, her glasses on the bedside table, her clothes on the back of the chair. She lifted up the covers and patted the mattress.

Kate sat on the edge of the bed and turned her body so she half lay across Caroline. Kissing her, she tucked her hair behind her ear and started to cover her neck with her kisses, moving slowly down to her breasts, savouring each kiss. Caroline moaned softly and gently lay her hands on the back of Kate's head, playing with her ears and tracing her jaw line with her fingers.

Kate sat up and lifted herself onto the bed, straddling Caroline and bending forward to take one of her nipples in her mouth. She ran her hands down her sides and rested them on her hips. Caroline started to gyrate, pushing her bottom up off the bed, wanting Kate inside her. She got the message and moved slowly down Caroline's body, trailing her tongue down her stomach, planting small kisses around her belly button. She inhaled her scent and gently nibbled her clitoris causing Caroline to arch her back and gasp. Kate probed deep with her tongue, grabbing Caroline's hips and pulling her closer. Before long, she was grabbing the sheets and her orgasm came over her like a wave.

Kate rolled over and lay on her side, tracing the outline of Caroline's breasts with her fingers, kissing her shoulders.

"Thank you for asking me to stay."

"You are welcome. I am very glad you did."

Lawrence slinked out of the backseat of the car and ran off in the general direction of the main building.

"Yes, goodbye Lawrence. Have a nice day."

Kate and William laughed.

"He'll get used to it mum, he just needs time. I'll see you later. Bye Kate."

William got out of the car and walked away, turning to wave. They both waved back and looked at each other.

"I didn't want this weekend to end but I am glad it ended the way it did."

Caroline leaned across and hugged Kate and lovingly stroked her cheek.

"Me too. Will I see you at lunchtime?"

"Yes, if you want to."

"Always. And remember, if anyone is mean to you, tell them they will have me to deal with."

Sophie had seen Kate with Caroline and she couldn't wait to confront her. She marched into the staff room and straight over to Kate who was in the corner making a cup of tea.

"Good weekend Kate? How was your trip to Sheffield?"

"Good, yes, it was good thank you."

Kate didn't bother to turn around and threw a tea bag in her cup.

"Has your car broken down? I know a good mechanic if you need one."

"No, no it hasn't. Why do you ask?"

"Well, your car was here when I arrived this morning. And I saw you arrive with Dr Elliott. I just assumed."

Kate took a deep breath and turned round. She folded her arms across her chest and looked directly at Sophie.

"You should never assume anything Sophie. My car is perfectly fine thank you."

"So why were you with Dr Elliott in her car then?"

Kate unfolded her arms and put her hands in her pockets. She clenched her fists and took another deep breath.

"I don't see that it is any of your business but I guess you will find out soon enough. The reason why I arrived with Dr Elliott, Caroline this morning was because I spent the night at her house, in her bed, with her."

The honesty of the statement totally knocked Sophie sideways and she didn't know what to say.

"So now you know. Yes, Dr Elliott and I are in a relationship. We have told the Board of Governors and the deputy heads also know. So feel free to shit stir Sophie because quite frankly I don't think that anyone will be remotely interested. Now if there is nothing else, I'd like to drink my tea in peace before my first lesson with 11G."

Kate picked up her mug and walked across to the chair where she had left her bag. She placed it on the floor and sat down, smiling across at Susan Worthington who simply winked at her over the top of her newspaper and carried on reading. Her breathing was still shallow and she was scared that Sophie would come back at her and make a big scene. Nonchalantly, she flicked her hair and fleetingly glanced over at Sophie.

Sophie was still stood in the corner of the room totally unsure what to do. She quickly looked around and then looked directly at Tom who seemed to be her only ally. He had an expression of total disgust on his face and with a straight mouth, he gently shook his head and picked up his phone. He was glad that Kate had decided to tell her about Caroline. Perhaps now she would leave the whole thing alone.

"What? What? Oh get lost Tom. "

And she walked out of the staff room, everyone's eyes following her as she left.

"Well, that isn't an insignificant amount of money. I know mum but what do you and Aunty Muriel know about running a company? You wouldn't you know. Yes, I think you should. You could go on a little holiday and then put some aside. No, not with Aunty Muriel. Lots of people go on holiday on their own. Yes, well, the solicitor will handle all that. No, you won't need me to read through anything. You will just need to sign the papers. Yes, I will see you later. Bye. Bye bye."

All the while that Caroline was talking on the phone, she was pulling faces at Kate, holding the phone on her shoulder once or twice to relay the conversation.

"She really ought to go on holiday you know. I can totally see my mother on one of those coach trips travelling through Europe. She would love it. She just needs to take the plunge and book something."

"Can you just imagine her telling the coach driver he was going the wrong way or telling the tour guide that he was wrong."

They both burst out laughing at the image it conjured up.

"Why don't we go away together in the next school holidays? We could err, we could go somewhere warm for the week or just take a few days away. What do you think?"

"On our own? Just the two of us?"

Caroline nodded.

"There is no way that Lawrence will want to be seen with the two of us and William will want us to be alone. So yes, just us. Shall I look at something tonight? Where do you fancy?"

"The Canary Islands are supposed to be warm in October. Why don't we go there? Oh Caroline, I am so excited. The two of us going away together on our own."

Caroline looked at her, the love she felt for her evident.

"You'd better get used to it Kate. This is just the beginning."