Thank you for reading and your comments here is the next update...
Kate kissed Caroline tenderly holding her close, "it will be ok darling, get Beverley to send for me if you need me unless you want me to stay". Caroline smiled at the beautiful eyes staring at her the love blazing at her. You go, It will be fine" Caroline spoke softly trying to reassure herself as much as Kate as Kate begrudgingly headed towards the door With a fleeting smile.
Caroline sat she couldn't help but fidget I her seat, she felt nervous her stomach churning her fingers tapping upon her desk. A loud knock at the door made her jump, she smoothed her hands down her shirt smoothing the invisible creases. She sat up straighter composing herself "come in" she called. Caroline took in the formidable form of Gavin standing in the door way, she stood up taking in his demeanor "Good morning Gavin, thank you for coming in so early". "No problem" a small smile escaped him, "So what did you wish to see me about?". "Well there a few things i need to discuss with you but first, I heard you were attempting to discus something with myself whilst I was away last week".
"Ah yes well I have had a few choice emails from a certain disgruntled former teacher" Caroline couldn't help but raise an eyebrows she couldn't help but feel confused she knew where this was going, but was puzzled by Gavin's calm exterior.
"A certain Michael Dobson, by any chance" Gavin looked startled "how did you know", "well that might have been what I wished to discuss with you myself".
Gavin shifted in his seat a little as Caroline pulled out a file "what's this?" he asked as she pushed it across her desk. I want to make a formal announcement that I am in a relationship with a member of my staff Miss Kate Mckenzie. I would have told you before now but as it didn't affect my role as head teacher I wanted to wait. Michael Dobson knows about it and has and is blackmailing myself and Miss Mckenzie about keeping it quiet in return for keeping quiet about the fact he sexually assaulted Kate on more than one occasion. He has started a personal vendetta against Miss Mckenzie and myself and has been extremely unprofessional. Kate doesn't wish to inform the police if it can be avoided but the bord of governs need to know if he applied for further positions with LEA And follows through with his blackmail threats to destroy our careers".
Caroline watched his face for any sign that Michael had already made a counter argument against herself and Kate bur he sat passive. "I know it's a lot to take in".
Gavin placed his hands on the table sitting up straighter "you could say that Caroline...Caroline I wasn't expecting this, Michael Dobson has made a complaint against yourself but not against Kate .He also revealed about your relationship with Miss. Mckenzie to myself and the board if governors outlining his concerns.
That was why I wanted to talk to you. I personally see no reason to investigate it further (your relationship that is) as I am sure you are professional and have every confidence in your abilities to run this school and be fair and professional with staff.
Caroline took a deep breathe "you do" she couldn't help but sound surprised she wasn't expecting him to be so ok with her relationship it wasn't exactly professional to sleep with junior employees. She saw him flick a smile at her "so it's serious then" he questioned watching her face glow. Startled she was taken a back " yes umm, were in love. I know this is a prestigious school and I will make sure the reputation of the school is not affected".
"Caroline listen I have known you for years you have been fantastic for this school and what you do in your private life with miss Mckenzie if you business, as long as it doesn't effect the running of the school and your discreet as with any other teacher teacher relationship myself and the board will support you.
"Great Gavin thank you. I really appreciate your support we wouldn't be announcing it if it wasn't a serious commitment. She smiled as Gavin took her hand "Caroline you don't have to justify anything".
Caroline rolled back in her chair a little the relief flooding over her, Gavin looked through the file "I don't think he will like this though" he indicated to the statements before him. "I have no choice Gavin he has been harassing myself and Kate for weeks and there is more... He raised his eyes to meet hers. " Michael has a daughter at this school, did you know?" "No I wasn't aware, which surprises me as it practice to notify all governing bodies if your working alongside your children".
"Caroline nodded neither did I he has been teaching her in class, attending school trips and nobody knew they were related". "Well that is a disciplinary action for unprofessional conduct as he could easily have been aiding in her grading".
He sat in deep thought "well that will help discredit his claims of yourself if he wishes to follow through with his complaint, although it would not help him if he's himself has been unprofessional.
"There is more", "more? His face drew serious " Is it written down in here". Caroline nodded "it is yes, but it's delicate.. "Go on" he focused on her seeing the serious of the matter translate in her appearance. "Lucy his daughter has been suffering at his hands she has confided in me and Kate about the abuse she had been suffering, I have seen the bruises she is covered. He has scared her witless and has convinced her to make a complaint about Kate. Which obviously hasn't reached you yet but I'm sure he will try once he sees the statements".
Gavin nodded urging her to continue "Lucy has had a crush on Kate and over the last few weeks, she has confided in us both, it's very complicated and I've written it all down. But Gavin I have to warn you he's on war path and I am concerned he is going to try and cause a lot of problems. He's desperate to cause problems for me and to get to Kate Mckenzie after she rejected his advances and poor Lucy has come to us, revealing his secret he's desperate. He hates not having control, I have been battling with telling you this... But I fear he is trying to drag me down and the school with it, he's a nasty piece of work".
She couldnt help the wet salty tears that had involuntarily began streaming down her face, her hard exterior melting. When it was laid out like that it made it sound so awful, listing it almost confirmed how much damage he had already done, and in theory could still cause.
"In all honestly Gavin, I don't know what to do" she stood and walked towards the window sill.
Gavin followed her "I will support you Caroline" she turned to meet him as he pulled her into a hug. "Gavin, I umm" she pulled away slightly trying to maintain the professional barriers, she knew if he showed her sympathy she would self destruct into the emotional turmoil that was brimming beneath her surface.
He smoothed a hand down her cheek, Caroline was startled, confused, tired and god so many other things..His lips gently brushed against her own.. She melted into it before coming to her sense. "Gavin no please..." She felt liked she been slapped why had she let him do that "at least I know why I never had a chance"he joked. "I never knew you um... " her cheeks flushed the embarrassment of the situation eloping her. She pulled away straightening her clothes and wiping her face "you wouldn't, would you if you were always waiting for Kate to come along, did you really never guess?"
Caroline stood silent dumbfounded "no I mean you were always kind but professional".
"I'm glad you can say that of me Caroline look I want, nothing from you in that respect I accept your with Kate, but I do care of you and I will support you through what ever bomb may go off".
"Thank you she mumbled" returning his warm smile "right well I will read through these, and get back to you with how best to deal with are serious allegations and as he contacted me first it could be seen as a retaliation. But be warned Michael Dobson is formidable he may cause trouble before this over. He has a lots of friends in the right places..." she nodded In understanding.
As he finally shut the door behind him she flopped into her chair and let the tears run free, the sobs that shook her very core, all the emotion the whirlwind that had been the last few weeks taking hold of her. She gasped for breathe the need to free herself from this tight ball heavy upon her chest.