A/N 1: Sorry, this one went up a little bit later than intended. Hope you enjoy.
"Do you have everything you need?"
Imogen bit her lip. "I think so. I'm just so nervous. I feel like a student again." She sighed as she was drawn into one of Constance's incredible hugs. "It's going to be so weird not being here with you. And with the kids."
"It's only two weeks Darling.", Constance murmured. "And you said it yourself; you need to get back in the classroom and observe if you want to start creating the language curriculum for September."
Having spoken to a few fellow Italian teachers, including a former Hevesham colleague named Lisa, Imogen had realised that although she was still fluent in the language, after eight years, she was a little rusty when it came to the teaching requirements. Lisa, now the language head in a school about twenty miles from Castle Overblow, had suggested that she come and join them for a couple of weeks. It had seemed like a perfect opportunity, and truly, Imogen was quite excited, but now that the moment was here, her nerves were kicking in.
"I know, I know. And you're right, it is only two weeks, and I'll just be observing at the start so it won't be too hard."
"No and…" Constance was interrupted by a knock on their bedroom door. "Come in."
"We made you a card." Zara blew in the door followed by Abby, a quickly crawling Fleur and a sedate-looking Ava.
Imogen grinned as she took the Good Luck card her daughters had created. "Thank you so much. I'm going to put it in my bag so I can look at it during the day."
"Hope you're not too worried about being the new girl.", Abby teased.
"Just a little.", Imogen shrugged. "But I'll be okay." She looked towards the door where Ava was standing, dressed in her navy school uniform with her arms folded and a strange look on her face. "Poppet? What's wrong."
"Will you be here when I get home from school?", Ava asked softly.
"Not for a couple of weeks." Imogen knelt down and gently tucked a loose lock of hair into Ava's pink hairband. "But I'll be home for dinner. And while I'm not here Granny and Granddad will pick you up from school, you know you like that."
"Okay.", Ava whispered. "But I like having you here too." Having grown up with her mothers always close by, it was a little difficult to understand that most parents went out to work on a daily basis.
"I know you do, and I like being here, but it will go quickly. And then in September when I do go back to work I'll just be downstairs.
"Like Mama?"
"Exactly little one." Constance indicated the clock, knowing Imogen wanted to give herself plenty of time for the journey. "It's 7:20. Are you sure you don't want me to fly you?"
Imogen shook her head before grabbing her bags and kissing the girls goodbye. "It's fine, thank you though." She paused to give Constance a hug and a kiss. "See you later, love you. Love you all."
"Love you too.", her family told her as she waved goodbye.
"Right so.", Imogen thought to herself as she started the engine then turned up the radio to keep her company on the drive. "Let's go."
As she drove through the castle grounds, she waved to Tom and Amelia who were on their way to give Constance a hand. She knew they were both hugely excited to get some quality time alone with the girls, particularly Fleur who was about to get spoiled rotten with attention from her doting grandparents.
She pulled out of the castle gates, turned up the radio, and prayed she hadn't completely lost her classroom teaching ability over the past few years.
Traffic seemed to be on her side, and forty-five minutes later she was pulling up in the staff car park.
"Assuming you're in need of this? If I remember correctly you always found it hard to start the day without one."
Imogen jumped as Lisa came up behind her with a large coffee in her outstretched hand. She smiled, took the paper cup and gave her old friend a one-armed hug. "Oh yes, I was in such a rush this morning I didn't have time to make one."
"Kids?" Lisa thought of her own two and how they managed to delay even the simplest of tasks.
"Kids, my own nerves, everything really."
"Relax Imogen; you'll be fine. You were always a fantastic language teacher. I should know, how many times did you help me out when we were at Hevesham? It will all come back to you, I promise."
"I hope so." Imogen took a long sip of her coffee. "So, what's the plan for today?"
She was pleased to hear she wouldn't be going straight into the classroom as Lisa had planned a couple of hours for them to go through Windale's curriculum as well as the current teaching materials.
"Then this afternoon you'll be shadowing if that's okay with you?"
"Perfect., Imogen nodded. "But I don't just want to sit there like a spare part. If there's anything I can do, please let me know."
"You might regret that.", Lisa laughed as she led the way into the staffroom.
Despite her nerves, Imogen found the morning far more manageable than expected. She met the principal, Mr Hughes, who appeared business-like but friendly. As well as him she also met the other members of the language department, including Ian Smith, a fellow Italian teacher who also taught Spanish. To her relief, the majority of the course books were familiar to her, though many had been updated over the past few years. Likewise, the exam format was similar as was the conversational aspect that she had always enjoyed teaching the most.
"So, are you ready to join me and a bunch of fifteen-year-olds this afternoon?", Ian asked as he joined Imogen and Lisa for lunch.
"I have one at home.", Imogen laughed. "What's twenty more?"
"I can't believe Abby is fifteen now.", Lisa sighed. "I still remember when she was cheering you on at sports day."
"She's just the same, my cheeky little cheerleader. And she's the same with her sisters."
"How many children do you have?", Ian enquired as he unwrapped his sandwich.
"Four girls. Abby's fifteen, Ava's five, Zara is four, and Fleur is one next month."
"Wow, so the classroom will be no trouble to you.", Ian winked. "I sometimes think that Colin and I should have kids, but we're busy enough with our dogs, plus we like our holidays too much."
"They're a bit of work alright.", Imogen agreed. "Constance and I have days when everything runs like clockwork but others….."
"Constance? You're married to a woman?" Ian was beaming from ear to ear.
"Yes."
"Thank goodness, I am not the only gay in the school, albeit on a temporary basis."
"Glad to help.", Imogen grinned, somehow she had a feeling she and Ian were going to get on just fine. She was proven correct as she joined him in his teaching that afternoon.
"We try and speak only Italian.", he told her as they walked towards the classroom. "Sometimes we even succeed."
As she observed her first Italian class in several years, Imogen was aware of several pairs of eyes watching her. She knew she was probably a bit of a novelty for the students and tried not to cringe too much under their gazes. It was times like this that her hidden shyness tended to rear its head and suddenly she found herself missing the familiarity of Cackle's.
'I'm an adult, I've been teaching for years, and if I can teach a class of young witches, I am more than capable of handling this.", she told herself firmly.
"Ms Drill, would you like to join in our game?" , Ian asked in Italian with a twinkle in his eye.
"Si.", she replied, getting up to help the students move their chairs into a circle for a round-robin story game she remembered playing with her classes. The activity helped to break the ice with the more curious students and by the time the bell rang she felt much more at ease with the group, a feeling that remained after the other classes of the day.
"You did great.", Ian told her as they walked back to the staffroom.
"I hope I didn't get in the way."
"Not at all, I can already see what a great teacher you are. In fact, if its okay with Lisa I'd be happy to swap tomorrow, you take my morning classes, and I'll assist."
"Fine with me.", Lisa spoke up from behind them. She'd known Imogen wouldn't need to observe for long. "Okay with you Im?"
"Absolutely. I'll need to review the lesson plan tonight, but I'm sure I'll be okay." In truth, she was delighted that Lisa and Ian were so confident in her abilities and despite the heavy traffic, she drove the whole way home with a big smile on her face.
Constance was delighted to see that far from the semi-controlled nervousness that morning; her wife was now practically glowing with excitement.
"Can I take it things went well?", she asked after they had kissed hello.
"You can." Imogen beamed as the children joined them. "But I missed you all, and I want to hear about your days. Did you have fun with Granny and Granddad?"
Over dinner, she heard everything that she had missed and managed to share her own stories when she could get a word in. "Ian was a great help; he really made me feel comfortable in the classroom."
"Aww, you made a new friend." , Abby joked, thinking of what her mother always said when she met new people. "Will you bring him for tea?"
"Ha.", Imogen smirked. "Very funny. I think you girls would like him though; he was telling me all about his dogs." She noticed Zara's ears prick up. "He and his husband seem to dote on them."
"No point in asking if he's cute so.", Abby sighed.
"Regardless of his sexuality, he must be several years older than you." Constance reminded her. Abby may not have a steady boyfriend anymore, but she certainly had a high-interest level in boys in general, and as Imogen had helpfully warned her, they were probably only hearing about a quarter of it.
Abby was interested to hear that Colin, Ian's husband was a graphic designer and as soon as dinner was over, ran off to check the website that Imogen had noted for her.
The rest of the evening passed in a whirl of bath time and getting ready for the next day. Imogen noticed that Ava stuck to her side right up until bedtime where she appeared to be fighting sleep to a level that Zara would have been proud of.
"I'm not very tired.", she yawned, hoping that her Mummy would stay a little longer with her.
Imogen knew exactly what her little girl was up to; she also knew that she had several lesson plans to review before she could get to bed herself. "Tell you what Poppet, you close your eyes and just see what happens." Her hunch was right, after just a couple of minutes, Ava was fast asleep. She got up as quietly as possible and joined Constance who was waiting on the couch with some fresh tea.
"Can I help?"
"That would be great.", Imogen nodded. Having someone to run through lessons with was something that had always helped her previously and she was delighted that Constance was taking such an interest. "You could probably teach the class yourself you know. I think you're pretty fluent now."
"Not to your level.", Constance answered as she cleared away their cups. "But I'd like to help out when our classes start."
"I would love that.", Imogen promised. "Now, I think we need to turn in before all the madness kicks off again tomorrow don't you?"
"Oh yes.", Constance yawned. As helpful as Tom and Amelia had been, from the moment she collected the children she hadn't stopped, and she was, as the expression went, dead on her feet. Both women were asleep in no time, neither stirring until Imogen's alarm told her it was time to get up and get a quick workout in with Maud before her day began.
It began in earnest with Ava dawdling over her breakfast having taken an age to get ready. As a result, Imogen was ten minutes late leaving, which meant she hit the worst of the traffic. Luckily she didn't have a class first lesson, but she was annoyed at how frazzled she felt when she arrived at the school. She went straight to Ian's classroom to find him already there.
"Sorry I'm late, a slow-moving child and slower moving traffic delayed me."
"The baby?", Ian enquired.
"No, Ava. She's a little clingy right now; I guess she's just used to having us nearby all the time."
Ian was fascinated with the idea that Imogen's real job was in a boarding school and as they set up for the day asked several questions. Most of which she found relatively easy to answer however she decided to hold back on sharing the magical aspect of the school. It wasn't that she was ashamed, rather she didn't want to risk any awkwardness with her new friend. As it was, their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of their first class who were dying to get a glimpse of the temporary teacher.
There was more teaching needed for this class. They were still relatively new to the language, so the focus was primarily on grammar and punctuation. Still, they were enthusiastic and eager to learn, as were the class who came afterwards.
Before Imogen knew it, the bell was going for lunch. "It can't be that time already?"
"It is.", Ian laughed. "And I am starving. Let's eat."
It still felt strange to be in a staffroom without Davina fluttering around or Gaby fussing over her potions ingredients. It was stranger still not to have Constance close by, but as she had told Ava, it wouldn't be for long. And if she was very truthful, it was a bit of a novelty to be involved in conversations where magic didn't feature.
The afternoon passed as quickly as the morning had, and soon Imogen was on the road home, this time with a pile of marking on the passenger seat that would keep her busy for the evening.
She was hugely grateful that Constance had taken care of dinner again, and that Abby stepped in for bath time which allowed her to get through the bulk of her corrections before story time.
"Will you be able to come swimming tomorrow Mummy?" Swimming on a Wednesday afternoon had become a regular occurrence and Ava was hoping it wouldn't have to stop this week.
"Not this week or next Poppet, but Granny and Mama are going to take you, Fleur and Zara. You'll have loads of fun."
"Oh."
"Don't worry, in a couple of weeks; I'll be back again. And we'll all go on Saturday or Sunday. Alright?"
"Alright." Ava gave a weak smile before clutching her baby doll and settling down to sleep, though she didn't stay in her own bed for long.
"Please.", she whispered as she crawled in between her mothers just after midnight.
Both Constance and Imogen were too tired to argue, although Constance was already planning on reminding Ava of the 'staying in your own bed during the school week rule'. When she wasn't so exhausted of course.
Wednesday for Imogen usually revolved around playgroup for Fleur and Zara, lunch in Cosies and then a trip to the pool once Ava had finished school. This week things were very different with back to back classes in the morning, a language department meeting that Lisa had invited her to attend, followed by lunch with Lisa and Ian in a local cafe before yet more classes in the afternoon.
While she was travelling home after her long day, Abby was taking the time to catch up with her sisters. "How was swimming?"
"It was very good.", Zara nodded with excitement. "Me and Granny had a race, and I won. And Fleur laughed lots."
"That sounds cool. How about you Noodle?"
Ava thought for a minute. "It was fun. We missed Mummy though."
"You know she'll be back with you soon." Abby wrapped her arms around Ava for a cuddle. She loved her sister to death and had always admired Ava's fierce loyalty and adoration of her family. However, she wasn't perfect and Abby, along with her parents and grandparents were aware that at times, Ava's feelings could run to jealousy when her loved ones were spending time with people she didn't know.
"I know but….." Ava finally blurted out what had been on her mind. "What if she likes the new school more than this one and decides to work there forever? Then she won't be my teacher when I'm a big girl and going to school here. And I really want her to be my teacher. And Mama."
Abby, despite her love for her parents, could think of nothing worse than having them as her teachers, could still empathise. "That's not going to happen Noodle. Mummy is working at the other school so she can set up some new Italian classes here. And when you start at Cackle's she might be teaching you Italian, or P.E, or maybe both but she's definitely going to be teaching here with Mama."
"Promise?"
"We promise.", Constance answered from the doorway where she had accidentally overheard the end of the sister conversation. "Do you believe us?"
"Yes." Ava smiled at them. "But Mummy already teaches me Italian."
"And me.", Zara added. "And Fleur when she can talk."
"Then you'll be able to help her teach the girls who are just learning won't you?"
"Yay."
"Well then, now we have that sorted out, will you help me set the table for dinner?"
"Okay Mama." Ava stopped to hug Constance before following Zara to the dining table.
"I'll bet you're missing Mum as well." Abby took a leaf out of Ava's book and gave her Mama a tight squeeze.
Constance let out a long sigh. "Oh yes. Don't get me wrong, this was a wonderful idea, but I'm so used to sharing every day with her that it feels like I'm missing a limb without her here."
"I know, and I'm sure it's the same for her, you guys are a great team, everyone says so."
"Thank you dear." Constance kissed Abby. "I suppose we should get dinner organised. Are you coming little one?"
"Mah, Mah, Mah." Fleur held up her hands so her Mama would lift her up. She wasn't speaking yet, everyone was Mah-Mah, but it seemed that she was getting closer by the day.
"We'll take that as a yes."
When Imogen arrived home at six, she found Fleur already fed and happily sitting in her highchair watching while Constance removed the rest of the cottage pie she had been keeping warm in the oven.
"Just in time." Imogen winked at her girls before dropping her bags, washing her hands and taking the opportunity to steal a quick kiss from her wife. "Thank you for this; it smells fantastic."
"You made it Darling, I merely took it from the freezer and defrosted it."
"Ah yes, but that's the hard part." Imogen gave her a tender smile while dropping kisses on each of the children's heads. "Everything okay here?"
"Everything is fine Mummy.", Ava beamed. "How was your day? Did you see your new friend?"
Caught slightly off guard by Ava's change in attitude, Imogen managed to recover quickly and shared a few stories of her day with the family. It was only as she helped Abby with the dishes that she got some insight into what had caused the change.
"I think she'll be okay now.", Abby told her. "She just needs to realise that new people aren't going to take any of us away from her. This might be a good way of her learning that."
"You're right honey and thanks for talking to her." Imogen hugged her daughter before asking, "So, do you feel you're missing out by not being taught by Mama or me?"
"Nope." Abby shook her head. "You're my parents, my teachers are my teachers, and I'm fine with it staying like that."
"And that's fair enough." Imogen could completely understand that thought process.
Abby did have something else to say. "I think Mama is missing you more than she's letting on."
"I know honey, and I miss her too. I'm finished a bit earlier on Friday so we should be fine for date night. I was planning on taking her out for a nice meal."
"She'll love that.", Abby nodded. "I think she misses just being able to talk to you whenever she likes.
"Its the same for me." Imogen sighed. "I think this is also helping us realise just how lucky we are with the setup we have."
For everyone, Thursday passed enjoyably. Breakfast, school or nursery then home to talk about their days. The only exception being Fleur who had spent a lovely morning with her grandparents before playing all afternoon with Zara and Ava once nursery and school were over.
"I'm surprised she wanted to come home.", Imogen laughed as she watched Fleur cuddling up to her grandfather that evening
Tom beamed at the baby in his arms. "She was on her best behaviour, they all have been, and it's been nice to spend some more time with them this week."
"Thanks Dad." Imogen knew things had been different this time around, that previously Tom and Amelia would have been a bit more hands-on when it came to childcare. She knew they understood that this time she needed to take extra time off, but that didn't mean they should miss out. "You know, I was thinking, when I've finished at Windale, maybe you could take her for a morning or two during the week? It will give me a chance to get a few things done and help get Fleur ready for September."
"Yes.", Tom immediately agreed. It was an offer they had already made and while occasionally it had been taken up, he was delighted with the idea of something more regular. "We're always happy to take this little girl and her sisters."
"In that case, if it's okay with you both I'd like to cash in another offer."
Again, Tom readily agreed to Imogen's request and promised not to say a word to Constance until he got the nod to do so. "But we're still on for tomorrow?"
"Yep, still on for tomorrow. We'll be going out around seven, so bedtime is all yours."
The following afternoon Imogen received another offer, one that unfortunately she had to decline.
"Sure you won't meet us for one?" Ian put on his best pleading face.
"Some other time, definitely.", Imogen promised. "But for now I need to get home, get the kids sorted, drive to the house and after that, I have a date."
"With a hot woman?" Ian teased.
"The hottest, see you Monday."
When Constance finished work for the day, the car was packed, Ava, Zara and Fleur were ready, and Abby was to be collected on the way. She was also thrilled to hear that Imogen had booked a table at their favourite restaurant.
"Is that okay with you?", Imogen asked the occupants of the back seat.
"Yeah, me and Granddad are going to play with my train set." , Zara told them. "And he said we could have ice-cream after tea."
"Shhh.", Ava hissed. "He said not to tell Mummy."
"I'll pretend I didn't hear." Imogen sighed as she pulled up outside Abby's school.
True to their word, there was no fuss from the girls when they left. Lily had arrived and was catching up with Abby while Zara, Tom and Ava controlled the trains and Amelia helped Fleur crawl around after them.
"I think they'll be fine.", Imogen whispered as she hugged a watching Constance. "Come on; we have some important couple time to spend together."
Over dinner, the discussion fell back to their working weeks as well as commenting on Ava's turnaround.
"I do understand." Imogen thought back to her own mother who had been a nurse. At times she had sometimes been jealous of other people who got Rose's attention when she was away from her and Stephen, so she could empathise fully with Ava.
"As do I." Constance paused for a minute before deciding to share. "I wasn't worried that you'd leave, but I will admit that I wondered how you would feel being at a school that is more 'normal'".
"Our school is completely normal to me." Imogen took Constance's hand in hers. "Okay, the magical aspect may elude me, but I could never imagine teaching anywhere else. I have my friends, while the kids are young they'll always be close enough for a cuddle between classes. And best of all, I get to work with you. Come to think of it; the cuddle part applies to you too."
"It does Darling." Constance gave a soft smile before bringing up something that had been on her mind. "Amelia and I have been talking; we've never really replaced me as Deputy Principal. I know unofficially you've stepped in over the years, but if you would like the role, we'd like to formalise it. We could divide out exactly who does what, but I think we're a good team and I know we would work well together. And it shouldn't impact on your teaching too much."
Imogen pretended to think for a moment. "Hmm, tempting but tell me, what are the added benefits?"
"Benefits?" Constance arched her eyebrow.
"More money. More holidays?" She was teasing, both she and Constance took a fair salary, but with the money she had been left from her grandmother's estate, money wasn't an issue for them.
"I'm sure we can negotiate something to your satisfaction."
"Well at least tell me I get to sleep with the Principal?", Imogen asked in hushed tones.
"That goes without saying, Darling."
"Then I'll do it." Imogen was in complete agreement with Constance. They were a good team, and she was excited at what lay ahead. "As long as I have a few more months at home with the kids and with you, I'll be ready and raring to go in September."
"Good." Constance had guessed the offer would be accepted, but she was delighted it had been confirmed. Her excitement carried on as Imogen shared her ideas.
"Okay, idea number one. Dad and Amelia have said they'll take the girls overnight the week after next so I can whisk you away. Fancy it?"
Constance's face gave away just how much she fancied it. Between one thing and another, they hadn't had a night away alone since Fleur was born. It was something everyone seemed conscious of as for Christmas they had received hotel gift vouchers from Tom and Amelia, Jamie and Sarah and also from Lily and her mother, Susan.
"Great, I've made a provisional booking for that one near the beach."
"That sounds wonderful Darling. And your second idea?"
"Well, I was thinking about what Abby said, and I wondered if you'd be okay with me inviting Ian and his husband to tea, maybe next Friday? They may not be able to make it, but he's been so kind to me that I'd like to do something to say thanks. And he's said he'd love to meet you all."
Constance had no issue with the invitation. In fact, she was keen to meet Imogen's new friend. There was, however, one condition. She knew that Imogen hadn't disclosed everything about Cackles and understood why, but she didn't want that to mean she had to censor herself or her children in their own home.
"Of course I'll tell him. Besides, if I didn't, I'm sure Zara would in no time."
They both laughed at the thought. Zara's impatience to come into her powers was well known, and she tended to brag that they were coming at every given opportunity.
On Monday morning Imogen made the offer, and to her delight, after confirming with his husband, Ian accepted. "We're looking forward to it.", he told her on Tuesday. "Colin said it would be good to put a face to the name."
"Constance said the same thing." Imogen paused for a moment; she hadn't shared her wife's abilities just yet, not wanting to make it into a bigger deal than it needed to be. However, she knew she had to say something. "There's something I need to tell you about where I usually teach."
"That it's a school for Witches?", Ian stated simply.
"You knew?"
"Lisa told me, but I decided to wait and see if you would."
"I'm sorry.", Imogen started to explain, but Ian cut her off.
"There's no need to apologise; I think I understand. And it doesn't matter, As long as your wife and kids don't turn us into toads, we'll be fine with it."
"Don't worry.", Imogen promised. "Only Constance has that ability right now, and she's pretty good at keeping her toad spells in check. Abby's like me, she doesn't have magic and Ava Zara, and Fleur won't come into theirs until they're around ten. An age that can't come soon enough for Zara."
"It all sounds fascinating. Am I allowed to ask questions on Friday or…?"
"Of course, the main thing to remember is that magic can't be used for trivial or selfish purposes."
"So no rabbits out of hats?"
"Exactly, but Constance enjoys when people ask her about her powers, I'm sure she'll tell you what she can."
The second week seemed to go even faster than the first, and before Imogen knew it, it was Friday afternoon and she was saying her goodbyes.
"Thank you so much.", she told Lisa. She hadn't invited her old friend to dinner, knowing Lisa had other plans, but they had already arranged to meet up in a few weeks.
"You're welcome; you did a great job. If you ever want to leave Cackle's I can guarantee we'd find you something here. Though somehow I don't think you'd take me up on that offer."
"Probably not." Imogen confirmed, "But it's nice to be thought of. Right, I have a dinner to prepare, so I'd better go."
It was around 6:30 when Ian and Colin arrived and were introduced to the Drill family by a proud Imogen. Abby quickly built up a rapport with Colin, who had heard of her artistic abilities and answered her many questions about his work. Zara was quiet at first, as she tended to be around strangers, but once Ian mentioned the dogs, she was a lot more engaged and told them about the many dogs she had met with her Uncle Stephen.
Fleur, already showing signs of inheriting her Mummy's shyness, clung to her mothers and sisters in the beginning but as she saw Zara get more involved, followed suit by crawling towards their guests then giggling with excitement as Ian crouched down to her level. And as for Ava, she had completely gotten over her jealousy and was immediately showing off the sparkling personality she was so well known for.
"This is our playroom; she pointed to the room off the kitchen before walking to the dining room. "And this is where we eat; you can sit wherever you want because you're our guests."
"They're just as you described them.", Ian told Imogen as he helped with the drinks. "Such personalities."
"That's my girls." Imogen laughed. "Full of personality, all of them."
Dinner was a huge success, and by the time Ian and Colin left a friendship had been formed, and not just between the adults.
"Ian and Colin are very, very nice.", Ava whispered to Abby as they cleared the plates. "I'm glad that Mummy invited them over."
"Me too.", Abby grinned. Colin had suggested that she pay a visit to his studio the next time she was on a break from school, an offer she was dying to take up. She'd also had a chance to practice her Italian with Ian and was pleased to hear from someone besides her Mum that she was well on track to ace her upcoming exams.
"See, Imogen taught her entire family, and you won't even let me teach you a few phrases.", Ian teased Colin.
"Uggh, there you go again trying to show me up." Colin gave Ava and Zara a wink. "I can say a few things, like 'I'd like pizza please.'"
"I can say that too." Ava was very enthusiastic "Mi piacerebbe la pizza, per favore."
"Maybe you can teach me a few new phrases." Colin shook his head, slightly bemused that a five-year-old was, in the nicest possible way, outsmarting him.
The guests stayed for a while after dinner, drinking tea, chatting and saying goodnight as the younger girls reluctantly went up to bed.
"I hope they weren't too much of a distraction.", Constance smiled as she poured more drinks. "They tend to get excited when we have people over."
Both Ian and Colin shook their heads. "Not at all.", Ian promised. "And their little dance routine was adorable."
"They do love a new audience." Constance settled on the couch next to Imogen and subtly took her hand, a sure sign that she too was comfortable with their guests.
As much fun as they were having, several cups of tea later it was time for Ian and Colin to leave.
"See you in a few weeks.", Ian told them as they left, having offered to host the next time. "And bring the kids. I promised Zara and Ava they could meet the dogs."
"If you're sure.", Imogen smiled widely. "Thank you, we will."
"I think that was a success Darling.", Constance commented as they waved the other couple off.
"I think so. In fact, the last two weeks have been. I've got some great ideas for the language curriculum. Dinner went well, Abby met someone who could be a great mentor to her and Ava has learned that new people won't steal us away. And I think we've made new friends."
"I think so too." , Constance was all smiles as she closed the door "And we still have our trip look forward to."
Checking that Abby had gone back in Imogen murmured in her lowest voice. "I was wondering, do you think I could maybe get an advance on my vice-principal privileges tonight?"
"I'm sure that could be arranged."
"Time to turn in so?"
"It certainly is."
A/N 2: So, one more chapter of this story to go. Get ready for Fleur's first birthday but also, Constance sharing something very important with Abby.
As to where things are going after this, I'm still not sure, but I will be taking a bit of a break I know I have more Drill family stories in me but think another jump ahead is probably in order so I can develop my OC's further. If you have ideas let me know I'm always happy to get new thoughts.