Caroline and Kate were still laughing as they both put their full costumes on. Caroline placing a big crooked nose complete with hairy mole on her face. Kate retouched her lipstick which matched her long plumb red nails.
Pat opened the large Georgian door to find her ex-lover and her dear friend standing giggling with one another.
"Oh you two seem to be having fun. What a fabulous hat Kate! Come in quickly out of the cold."
Caroline leaned into Pats hug and they held each other as if they had never lost touch.
"You look great Caroline. I'm very impressed and so pleased you could make it. Dr Witch Dawson! Loose the nose though, you don't want to frighten any would be love interests!"
This sent Kate and Caroline into more giggles.
Pat turned to Kate and smiled about to give her friend a warm hug before spotting the oil on her hands.
"Kate as always, the most naturally beautiful of my Halloween guests, I love you dearly. Is this a new anti-ageing super potion you've concocted?"
"Sorry Pats can I use your bathroom? I've had a spot of bother with Gerty!"
"Yeah sure you know where it is."
Caroline swore she saw Kate blushing through her green face paint at Pats complements. Pat steered Caroline into the main kitchen and Caroline handed her the gifts of wine.
"I'm not sure if you're still a red lady or now prefer white?"
"I love both thanks. However, from what I've seen I get the impression you're still a red lover!"
Caroline smiled and gave Pat that warning look which she knew all too well but ignored anyway.
"So Carrie, you and my beautiful green goddess, Come on spill the beans my love?"
Caroline laughed at her friend. She kept her head down knowing that Pat would read her like a book if she dare give her eye contact.
"Don't hide your face Dawson. I've seen that look before. I may be older but I know the Sparks of something. Witch Kate will almost certainly notice it too. She's absolutely gorgeous isn't she?"
"Please Patty don't. She seems really nice but I'm not ready yet and besides I've only known her 30 minutes."
"Trust me Caroline. When you meet the one, you'll know instantly. Whether you admit it to yourself, your mother, your children or me it doesn't really matter."
Pat took hold of Caroline's hand and walked towards the noise of the sitting room. She looked over her shoulder at her ex-lover and winked.
"Come on, there is someone I need you to meet."
As they entered the room Caroline watched as all heads turned in her direction. The normally tough in command Head teacher wanted to turn and run. Pat knew it too which is why she kept a tight hold of her hand.
Pat and Caroline joined a group of 4 women who were deep in conversation about UKIP and their bigoted ideology. Pat took the arm of a slim woman with blonde spikey hair. She had the look of Annie Lennox and a huge warm smile. Pat made her excuses to the rest of the group to introduce Caroline to Jean.
Caroline could see why Pat was attracted to this woman. She stood about 5 foot 6 and wore an all-black outfit finished with a long black cape lined with red silk. Caroline looked puzzled at what she had dressed as.
The blonde saw Caroline's expression and cordially produced a pair of false fangs and placed them in her mouth and smiling again. She took them out again, quickly placing them back in her pocket.
"They look the part but when I tried the outfit on I didn't have to spend time talking. It's blooding impossible, pardon the pun! I'm Jean and you must be Caroline. It's lovely to meet you finally."
Carline blushed not realising that Pat had told her fledgling lover about her.
"I'm very sorry to interrupt your conversation. I hope you were winning the debate."
"No problem. Truth be told I bloody hate politics, especially when people get drunk and start ranting. You saved me from the bowels of hell on earth."
Caroline loved the honesty of Pat's new love. She was very much like her mother but without the acid taste left in your mouth.
"Pat tells me you're a retired Chemistry Teacher. My first subject is Chemistry where did you study?"
"York Uni, which is how I came to settle in beautiful Yorkshire. I'm a Devon lass by birth and I really miss the sea. What about you? Where did you study?"
Before Caroline could reply Pat interrupted their conversation. "Caroline earned her Doctorate at Oxford University. She left me standing in her wake! She is a genius so be very careful or she may blow up your mind!"
Caroline began laughing at Pat's reference to her disastrous experiments.
"Ignore Pat she is simply winding me up about a misspent youth at Uni."
Pat interrupted once again stopping Caroline's modesty. "Caroline actually set one of the labs on fire, setting off the sprinkler system and got away with it!"
Their lively exchange was interrupted by Kate who had managed to clean herself up and join the party.
Carline visibly brightened up at the sight of Kate again. Something about Kate puzzled her but she couldn't put her finger on it and for now she simply wanted to get to know her more. She was quite saddened by the journey ending and the party starting. She felt drawn to this mysterious woman. She was like a magnet and the polar opposite, powerless to resist the draw.
Pat could see what was happening to Caroline from the expressions on her face and smiled. She knew the intoxicating power Kate had with a certain type of woman and Caroline was definitely her type.
"Caroline do you want to show Kate where the wine is. She' a red lover just like you!"
Pat winked at Caroline as she walked off towards the kitchen following Kate in front. The crowded room made it difficult and she felt Kate take hold of her hand and felt the jolt of electricity hit her body at her touch.
Unusually they found the kitchen empty and Kate stopped by the drinks bench. She turned to face Caroline who was holding her glass. Caroline placed her glass on the counter top and took off her cape and hat. She was getting rather hot.
Caroline looked deeper into Kate's beautiful glowing brown eyes. They were warm and caring and drew you in. Kate smiled at Caroline's face which was developing a warm smile.
Caroline broke the moment becoming more nervous.
"Is it me or is it very warm in here? I'm surprised your face paint is staying put. I imagined it would be everywhere by now."
Kate stepped forward and leant into Caroline gently taking her face in her hands.
She stepped closer and whispered, "Can I kiss you?"
Caroline felt her body react with her senses bursting into flames and her mouth go very dry. She couldn't believe what was happening to her. It was like her usual reserve had instantly deserted her. Devoid of speech she found herself nodding giving Kate permission. Kate leaned in and took Caroline's lips in hers. She placed her hands on Caroline's rounded hips and pulled her closer, relishing the feel of Caroline's body against her own.
Caroline felt powerless to resist her, she found herself leaning in to meet Kate half way. The electricity charging through her body increased her heart rate. She was charged and she found herself wanting more.
Caroline felt the presence of another in the kitchen and opened her eyes to see Pat standing in the door. Pat winked then turned and left the room. Caroline couldn't stop herself she was spell bound by this beautiful woman.
Kate broke the contact and looked into the blue abyss of Caroline's eyes. "I think we should join the party and save this for later. I've arranged to stay with Pat overnight and I'd very much like it if you to stay with me."
Caroline's heart was beating so hard she feared it would come out of her chest. Again she lost her voice.
"Kate, I…..I, Kate…I."
Kate silenced Caroline with her finger on her lips. "Caroline shhhh. Let's just see where the night takes us."
Caroline found herself smiling and relaxing, coming down from her charged contact with Kate.
Kate smiled and pulled Caroline by the hand into the party.
"Come on let's mingle with everyone and be sociable for now. The night is very early and I feel it's going to be pleasingly very long."
Caroline smiled and willingly followed the witch into the party. Kate had discarded her pointy hat and instead let her green face and black cape show. She chatted with several of the party collective and introduced Caroline. Many visitors had not seen Kate since the previous year. Kate was very polite interacting and catching up but often glanced at Caroline to check she was still with her. This wasn't lost on Caroline who felt enchanted.
As the end of the night drew closer and the guests slowly left, Kate took a seat in the sitting room away from the crowd. Caroline joined her feeling very tired. Relaxing into the chair Caroline kicked off her heels and allowed her head to fall back into the soft cushions.
"God I'm so tired, what time is it now?"
Kate smiled at the blonde beauty, admiring her long slim stocking clad legs. Her tight skirt revealed curvy thighs, rising up her legs as she leaned back. Kate feeling slightly distracted tried to concentrate on the conversation instead of the enticing view.
"Erm, I'm not sure. Would you like to join me in the kitchen for a drink before you go to bed? I really like you Caroline."
Caroline opened her eyes to find Kate standing over her. She held out her hand inviting Caroline to join her. Caroline leaned forward to stand up and found Kate to be surprisingly very strong. Caroline came to stand with her face and lips mere inches from Kate's. She felt her heart racing again.
Kate used her hands to steady Caroline by holding her hips causing Caroline to blush and look down from Kate. Kate lifted her chin bringing Caroline's eyes in line with her own.
"You're very beautiful Caroline."