Caroline lay in bed thinking about the conversation with her mother. She couldn't believe she had told her mother how she was really feeling. But how was she really feeling? She did think about Kate a lot and she often found herself daydreaming about the time they spent together. When she thought about Kate she smiled inside feeling lighter.

She also knew her next outing would be to Beverly since she had found Caroline daydreaming a number of times and had started asking if Caroline was okay.

Caroline slept fitfully subconsciously worrying about revealing her true self to Beverley. She knew Beverley would be supportive but by telling her the whole school would find out. She also knew Lawrence would tell his friend Angus too. This was sure to get round the school with Angus' mother, Felicity being on the board of governors.

Caroline made plans to tell Gavin as the Head of the board of Governors because it may cause issues with the paying parents of the pupils. However, Caroline knew she had taken the school to excellent exam results and high ratings with Ofsted. The school was in the top ten in the country and the board would be loathed to lose that over her personal life. Still, it didn't stop her critical self and her niggles.

Caroline arrived at work bright an early as usual and was greeted by a determined Beverley keen to find out what was making Caroline to bright. She knew Caroline had been going out with someone but didn't know who.

"Morning Caroline. Did you have a nice night?"

Caroline smiled, knowing Beverley was after the details. "Yes Beverley I did. Thank you. Do you want to bring the tea in and we can sit down and go through my diary."

"Only if you spill the beans about who is putting that smile on your face?"

Caroline laughed. "Oh I see. You're resorting to blackmail. Okay then."

Beverley returned a short time later with two mugs of tea and her writing pad with the events of the day. She didn't have a clue as her mystery man was only making contact via Caroline's mobile phone and not the switchboard.

"So, do I know him?"

Caroline put her pen down and stopped writing her reports. She straightened her blouse and looked at her PA in the face. She was greeted by an excited smiling bunny waiting for her carrot.

"Okay Beverley. So…I have been seeing someone as you've probably worked out by now. It's only been a couple of weeks but I really like….them. But I have had to be very discreet because some people may not be too happy about it."

"Oh Caroline! Don't tell me you're having an affair?"

"Beverley! No I am not having an affair. I can't believe you would think I would after what John did to me."

"Well no actually, which is why I was very shocked. So who is it and why is it such a secret?"

Caroline took a deep breath and decided the direct approach was best. She couldn't look Beverley in the face knowing her smile would change to shock.

"The thing is I'm seeing a lady called Kate. She works as a Researcher for a large pharmaceutical company. She is very kind and caring and lives locally in Harrogate. I know I've been married for nearly 18 years but I have had relationships with women too. At university I had someone very special but it didn't last. We both wanted different things. So you see that's the secret Beverley. Clearly there are going to be some who will not be happy with this but that's their problem. It's 2012 and the ladies landed a long time ago. "

Caroline looked up to find Beverley half smiling with her mouth wide open not able to speak.

"Well. You're right Caroline there certainly will be people who won't be very happy but bugger them. This Kate has put a lovely bright smile back on your face and a jolly good spring in your step so she has my vote."

Caroline smiled feeling freer having offloaded her burdens to the one person whose support she couldn't do without.

"Thank you Beverley. That means a great deal to me. Can you arrange a meeting with Gavin for me as soon as possible? Lawrence knows so….."

Beverley finished Caroline's sentence. "Felicity Smith will know too."

"Right. The Governors will probably find out soon enough and I'd prefer it if Gavin heard it from me first."

"Well you're diary is pretty full Caroline but I'll make some room and get him in today."

"Thank you Beverley. I really appreciate your support. It's been quite an emotional roller coaster ride this week in more ways than one."

"Oh Caroline I meant to say earlier."

"Yes?"

"I'm gay too!"

Caroline watched as Beverley left her office and her jaw dropped to the floor.

Caroline called Kate at lunchtime as they had arranged. Kate had worked late into the night not getting to bed until 3 in the morning. Once again Caroline could hear the strain in her lover's voice as she recalled her work coming close but not quite reaching her goal.

"I'm sorry Kate. I wish I could do more for you. How about we spend some time at the weekend in the lab together? I'm not sure how I can help but I'd like to if I can."

"Caroline. I'd really like that. I'm sure having someone to bounce my findings and thoughts off will help give it a different perspective. You're a Chemist too so you have that analytical mind. I'm so excited."

Caroline sighed. She was concerned Kate was placing too much emphasis that Caroline could help her unlock the mystery when Kate had worked on it for the last four years.

"Kate I don't want to dampen your excitement but you've been working on this for such a long time. I don't think a weekend is going to make a huge difference."

Kate knew deep in her heart, meeting Caroline was meant to be and the stars aligned that night to bring them together. Her aunt had sent her an email earlier in the year giving her details of a premonition about meeting someone special. Kate had dismissed the email as she had with all the others her aunt had sent to her. Kate wasn't keen on how keen her aunt was focusing on the powers they had. But she had found herself being more aware of who she was interacting with. She had to admit her aunt had been extremely accurate about this event.

Her email detailed it would be a blonde who would come to her aid later in the year. She would be someone who was connected to the sciences and she would be a leader in her field. Kate had focused on the people she met through her sponsors believing it would be someone linked directly to the research.

On the night of the party Kate wasn't thinking about meeting anyone as she didn't expect anyone to be involved with science. She knew Pat had a new girlfriend but beyond that she wasn't really fussed with going. It was only the prospect of being herself for the night that attracted her to going out and enjoying a night off. She was so very pleased she had done so.

They finished their call and Beverley called to inform Caroline that Gavin had arrived for their urgent meeting.

Caroline readied herself for the reveal and the reaction from her Head of the board. She honestly couldn't predict how he would take the news. Caroline knew the school had an anti-discrimination bullying policy which had been supported by the board. The policy had included specifically LGBT which Caroline had insisted on in support of their gay and as yet un-identified transgender pupils. This hadn't gone down well with some less liberal members of the board. However, Gavin had been supportive of Caroline's leadership.

"Hi Caroline. I'm sorry I couldn't come in any earlier. I understand you needed to see me urgently about something sensitive."

"Thanks Gavin. It is very sensitive and also very personal to me. I needed to see you sooner rather than later because I fear that you may be given the gossip from others. I would rather you found out from me."

Gavin's face gave nothing away about what he was thinking and Caroline pressed on.

"The thing is Gavin. I've recently started a new relationship which I've had to be extremely discreet about since there may be some who will not be happy about it."

"God Caroline. You're not having an affair are you?"

"Gavin please. Beverley said the same thing. Do you really think I would be someone who would have an affair after John…."

"Sorry Caroline. No I don't but why do you have to be discreet about it?"

"I'm having a relationship with a woman called Kate. She is a researcher for a large Pharmaceutical company focusing on dermatology. She lives locally in Harrogate and it may be that we are seen out by some of the pupils. I'm sure that some less forward thinking members of the board will not be happy about this but what I do in private will not affect my work. I wanted you to know because I'm sure it will get out into the school grape vine. Lawrence knows and he's very good friends with Felicity Smith's son Angus."

Gavin nodded in agreement. "Right I see."