Thanks for all the positive comments. It's much appreciated. As always if you have any suggestions for how you would like things to go then message me, sorry that I don't message back but that's the rule I have given myself these days.

Whoever it was that said 'write about what you know' – please could you message with a further explanation of what you think I know, ha ha – because I am intrigued!

Part Three

The cute, young waitress took their order and was zealous as she pointed the two women towards a seat by the window.

The smell of freshly brewed coffee made Caroline's stomach grumble and Ariana laughed and picked up the tray containing their cakes.

The atmosphere was comfortable as they settled at the table and got rid of the wooden tray to create more room for their sweet treats. Caroline set her elbows down and rested her chin on her hands while Ariana stirred her tea and Caroline wondered how to begin the conversation that could change both of their lives dramatically.

Ariana's revelation had come as a shock and she had no idea how to process this new piece of information. Although Joscelyn was beautiful she was not the person that Caroline was romantically interested in.

'Forgive me for saying so,' Ariana began, 'but you seem a little jittery.'

A little jittery – was the understatement of the year, Caroline mused.

Here she was, wanting to spend time with a woman of similar age to herself, thinking that there might possibly be a connection between them and a giant spanner had been flung into the works before anything had begun.

'I'm a little astonished really,' Caroline admitted.

Ariana gave a wry smile. 'Surely not,' she said. 'You and Joscelyn got on very well together last night, it's not surprising that she thinks you're an attractive woman, because you are.'

'But… I don't understand,' Caroline rubbed her forehead, 'I thought that we… that is… you and I, might…'

Oh Lord – this was a lot harder than she first thought.

Ariana was calm as she looked squarely at Caroline. 'I am still in mourning for my husband,' she said softly. 'Besides which, my daughter is my entire world.'

'I understand,' was the quiet reply.

'Do you?'

Not really.

'Yes, of course, I would never want to cause any difficulty between the two of you.'

Ariana looked sad. 'Then we shall just be friends.'

Caroline was confused.

'I feel like you're saying that if Joscelyn weren't around then we could try something,' she finally ventured.

'To be honest,' Ariana said. 'I don't know what I am saying. I feel a bit undone.'

Was that a good thing or a bad thing?

'Well, have you ever been with a woman?' Caroline asked boldly.

'That's a very personal question?' Ariana's blue eyes sparkled with amusement.

'Then don't answer it.'

Two sips of tea later Ariana spoke.

'Yes,' she said quietly. 'I have had a relationship with a woman.'

'Does Joscelyn know?'

'Yes.'

Caroline was thoughtful. 'There's something else that you haven't taken into account in this situation,' she said.

'Which is?'

Caroline paused for a moment and then decided to speak the truth. 'It's not your daughter that I am attracted to.'

Wow – Caroline could not believe that she had managed to get those words out of her mouth.

'But you see my difficulty?' Ariana said.

'Yes of course I do,' Caroline felt heat rising from her belly. 'But…'

'Then I think we should move away from this subject,' Ariana said quickly. 'Before we get emotional.'

I'm already emotional – Caroline sighed.

This had become a very disappointing afternoon and yet she was complaining that a young, attractive woman found her attractive. Life really was too complicated.

Apart from that, Ariana said she was still mourning for her husband and that was not a good indication but Caroline also got the sense that this was not strictly true and Ariana was using that as an excuse but they did not know each other well enough for Caroline to say that to her new friend.

As they ate their cakes and drank their beverages Ariana was able to slip easily into the casual conversation that had flowed between them the previous evening.

She was immensely pleasant company and they ordered more drinks and the whole time Caroline felt herself slipping more and more into the attraction that threatened to overwhelm her.

She liked the sparkle of Ariana's blue eyes and the way that her hands wrapped around the tea cup, long, striking fingers that had…

Stop thinking about the dream – Caroline chastised herself.

'I should get back to the shop,' Ariana said with a hint of reluctance.

'Yes,' I need to get my car. 'I expect it will have a parking ticket on it by now.'

They grabbed two pieces of cake in a take away carton to give to Joss and Caroline walked Ariana back to the shop. They ambled slowly because Caroline wanted to enjoy the last throes of the woman's company. She was intoxicating and beautiful and there was now so much uncertainty that Caroline did not know if they would see each other again.

'Well,' they had reached the shop doorway. 'I suppose this is goodbye,' Ariana smiled sadly.

'Well, not forever, I hope,' Caroline reached into her handbag and took out a business card. 'You should call me.'

Ariana took the card in her delicate fingers. 'Maybe.'

Caroline fought the urge to hug Ariana and for some reason she stuck out her hand. As the soft skin slid against hers a wave of something that could not be articulated came over her.

'Take care,' Ariana said and pushed her way into the shop without looking back.

Caroline made her way up the hill to where she had left her car and it was a few seconds later when quick sounding footsteps caught up to her.

'Hey,' a hand caught her arm. 'You walk fast for a woman in heels.'

Caroline laughed at the breathless Joscelyn. 'I'm always rushing everywhere,' she said.

'Right,' the young woman was flushed and nervous and dropped Caroline's arm. 'I was wondering,' she smiled, all white teeth and hopeful. 'If you would let me take you out for dinner?'

Caroline had knocked a few people back in her time but they had always been drunken middle aged blokes that found a woman in power a turn on and wanted a one night stand. She had little experience of gently, turning down an eager young woman that at one time would have been perfect for her but in a matter of hours everything appeared to have changed.

'Joscelyn...'

'Joss,' came the correction.

'Joss,' Caroline said tenderly. 'I'm really flattered…'

'But?'

Caroline sighed sorrowfully. 'I'm not in a place where I can date anyone at the moment.'

The smile slid from Joss's face. 'OK.'

'You're an amazing young woman but I can't lead you on in any way,' Caroline tried to smile but it was more of a grimace.

'Well, thanks,' Joss said. 'I appreciate your honesty.'

They stood awkwardly looking at one another.

'Maybe we could all go out to dinner again,' Joss suggested. 'If it isn't too weird.'

'Sure,' Caroline nodded. 'Your mum has my number so I'll wait for your call.'

'Great,' Joss was already walking away. 'One of us will call you.'

Caroline watched her spin on her heel and walk away with her shoulders slumped in a way that reminded the Head teacher of a disheartened teenager.

As she grabbed the parking ticket off her windscreen Caroline muttered a string of curse words and knew it was not about the parking ticket but for the three women that had ended up with a fractured heart today.