Author's note: Feel free to imagine whomever you like playing Fiona, but I should note that in my head it's Maria Doyle Kennedy, which influenced some character choices you will see in this chapter. If you aren't familiar with her, look her up…she's amazing.
Chapter 2: Getting acquainted
"Mummy, mummy!" The sound of Flora's voice coming across the monitor jolts Caroline awake from her dream. She rubs her sleepy eyes, inhales deeply and throws back the covers to get out of bed. She makes her way down the hall to Flora's room and smiles when her eyes meet her daughter, who's standing in her cot with a wide toothy grin.
"Mummy! I hungry! Want bekfast!"
"Well, good morning, sweetheart. Let's go down and get some then, eh." She lifts Flora out of the cot and plants a big kiss on her cheek. The little girl snuggles into her mother with a giggle, then leans back and looks into her eyes.
"I wuv you mummy. You my favorite." She leans forward and kisses Caroline on the mouth and wraps her arms around her mother's neck. These are the moments Caroline cherishes and her heart swells to bursting with love.
They eat a breakfast of toast and fruit before heading back upstairs to bathe and dress for the park. It's another beautiful warm day, so Caroline puts Flora in a red plaid jumper with bumble bees embroidered across the chest and a matching hat to protect her delicate face from the sun. She pulls on her favorite casual dress, an olive green linen, with slender straps and a v-neck, the hemline falling to mid-calf. She decides it's a perfect day for a picnic so she packs a light lunch of cucumber sandwiches, fresh apples, grapes and carrots and sparkling water for herself, diluted apple juice for Flora. After gathering all the items and getting Flora secure in the pram, they head out the door, making their way to the park.
She wheels the pram at a slower pace than yesterday, enjoying the green lawns and rose bushes, now in full bloom, in front of almost every house they pass. They reach the park and this time Caroline decides to head for the swings, upon noticing the toddler one on the end.
"Swing mummy, swing", Flora shouts with glee. Caroline pulls the pram next to the set, unhooks Flora from her seat and allows the toddler to lead her to the swing. She lifts her into the bucket and starts to push her slowly, a smile crossing her lips as Flora's eyes beam with joy, a fit of giggles streaming from her little mouth. She swings her for ten minutes or so before the child tries of it, finally asking to get down and play with her ball. Caroline obliges, lifting her from the swing with a kiss and retrieves the little blue bouncy ball from the play bag. They roll the ball between them, Flora first with her hands, then trying, with little success, to kick it back to her mother. Caroline laughs at the intense looks of concentration the toddler holds each time she swings her foot, missing the ball and falling on her bum. Eventually Flora tires of the ball too and starts asking for food and something to drink. Caroline unpacks the picnic and the two of them sit eating and drinking in the breeze.
Flora's eyes start getting heavy; sleepiness taking over, so Caroline clears the blanket and lays down on her side cradling her daughter beside her. The sweet bundle is asleep within minutes and Caroline slips her arm from under Flora's head with care, ensuring not to wake her. She's glad for the time to sit in the quiet and once again enjoy the warm sun and breeze. Why haven't we been here before. She leans back on her hands and stretches her legs in front of her, removing her sandals as she does. She pulls the hem of her dress to her knees, then leans her head back and closes her eyes. I'll probably have 47 new freckles on each limb by dinner, but sod it, this feels so nice. She sits still enjoying the peace for a long while. She opens her eyes with a start as she hears someone calling her name.
"Caroline, Caroline, Flora, hi! We did see you again!" Emma is skipping towards them, Fiona following at a walk, just behind.
"Oh, hello Emma, how are you today." Caroline smiles as the sweet girl approaches and Flora sits up, rubbing her eyes.
"Emma!" Flora jumps up as she registers the face and hugs the older girl's legs tightly.
"Can we play with that ball in the grass" Emma asks, taking Flora's hand and waiting for Caroline's approval.
"Of course you can love. Hello Fiona, how are you" she asks with a smile as she greets her.
"Lovely, and you? Mind if I join you?" She gestures to the blanket and Caroline nods consent. She slips off her sandals and sits beside her, curling her legs up to the side as she does.
"Another beautiful day, I see. Looks like you've dressed for the occasion. I like that color, it suits you." Her compliment is genuine and makes Caroline smile.
"Oh, thank you. I just love how comfortable it is." Looking down she sees the dress pulled up to her knees and she quickly pulls it down, not wanting to look inappropriate.
"Well, I guess we should probably get to know each other better if we're going to keep crossing paths like this and with Emma and Flora becoming fast friends." The forwardness of her statement catches Caroline off guard and she looks up at Fiona unsure of how to respond. The friendly smile and kind look in Fiona's eyes putting her at ease.
"Alright, you first then, I'm always a bit daft when it comes to social skills." A half smile crosses her lips and she instantly feels a little shy with the admission. Fiona laughs and shifts her body to sit cross leg in front of her.
"Ok, how's this. I'm Fiona Doyle, from Ireland originally, which you probably already guessed. Emma is my granddaughter, her mother Clara, is my only child. I've retired from social work, so I could spend more time with Emma, oh, and I sing and write songs on the weekends. I live just round the corner, I hate Marmite and love long walks on the beach." She says the last bit with a laugh and raises a questioning eyebrow for a response. Caroline chuckles in return and pauses to think of what to say. Her natural need to remain private creeping in, but she quite likes Fiona's personality and quick wit and thinks they could become friends. Besides, I don't have to divulge my life story.
"Caroline McKenzie-Dawson. Head teacher at Sulgrave Heath across town, Flora is my daughter. Born and raised here, in Harrogate…went to uni at Oxford….and have a PhD in Chemistry." She says the last bit a little more quietly, not wanting to seem as if she's bragging.
"Oh, a doctor…very impressive. And a scientist, to boot. You must be a real smarty" she says with a sly wink. Caroline blushes unintentionally.
"I wouldn't go that far." Feeling a bit self-conscious she shifts the focus back to Fiona, also curious to know more about one of her comments.
"So, you said you sing and write songs? I think that's pretty impressive. I love music, but I can't sing to save my life." Images of Kate playing the piano flash in her brain, making her quickly shift her gaze to the girls playing a few feet away. The memories bring a mix of emotions that she's sure are evident on her face. She watches them a moment until the thought passes, then turns back just as Fiona responds.
"Yea, it's always been my passion, but I never had the chance to commit any time to it until now. I do gigs on the weekends in local clubs and sometimes on a week night at a posh restaurant in town."
"What type of music is it? Do you play an instrument as well? I'd love to come to a gig sometime. It's been quite a while since I've been out anywhere, in an adult setting anyway." Her genuine interest has now made conversation flow much more easily.
"Mostly folk, with a little pop mixed in. I don't play any instruments, well unless you count table bells. I have a partner that I work with, he does the music and I do the lyrics. You should come; I actually have a gig next Saturday night, 8pm at The Emerald Room, the lounge at the Ritz Hotel. Bring your husband if you like." She loves when people take an interest in her music and is always eager to have new guests come for a listen.
Oh God, she's said husband. I can't drop the L-word, I've only just met her. "Oh, um, I'm not married….not anymore anyway, but I'd love to come to your show, I'm sure my mum could watch Flora for the evening." She hopes Fiona doesn't pry her for more information that she's just not ready to give.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have…I just assumed that…" an embarrassed flush invading her cheeks.
"Oh, it's ok. It was a while ago now." She looks down at her watch to avoid making eye contact and realizes it's now past 5pm.
"Gosh, I didn't realize it was so late. I need to get home and finish some work for tomorrow. I've had a nice afternoon Fiona and I really would like to see your show next weekend." She hopes her words sound sincere and that the other woman doesn't perceive her discomfort. She doesn't really want to give out more details, at least not until she gets to know her more.
"I understand totally. Here, let me give you my number and you can let me know if you can make it so I can reserve you a seat. I'd also like to make a play date with Emma and Flora, they seem to have become fast friends and I would love for Emma to have someone to play with from time to time when she's with me. Do you have a phone?" She pulls her phone from her pocket and waits for Caroline to retrieve hers from the pram. Caroline enters the number in the phone, placing it back in the pram and gives Fiona her number as well. The women work together to pack up the picnic and collect each girl to head their separate ways. Everything is packed neatly in the pram, including Flora and they all say their goodbyes and head off in opposite directions to their homes.
Again Caroline feels contented with the events of the day. Flora's made a friend and it seems she has as well.