Beverley saw Graham in the outer office and chose the moment to go and chat with Caroline in her office. Kate had already left with Helena to visit her colleagues in the staff room during a break.

"Caroline? Is it true?"

"Is what true Beverley?"

"Michael Dawson has tendered his resignation?"

Caroline didn't look up from her reports. "How did you find out?"

"Nancy the cleaner told me."

Caroline looked at Beverley over her glasses. "Are you serious? You found out about it from the Cleaner?"

"So it is true then?"

"Beverley please, it's not something to go gossiping about. It's actually quite delicate and sensitive."

Beverley didn't know whether she should share her views with her boss and then thought why not. "Well we all know he's a bigoted little …"

"Beverley! It's one thing to think it and another to say it."

"….prick!"

Caroline started laughing. "You remind me of my mother. Don't mince your words."

"Caroline can I just say?"

"Please do, you're obviously on a roll today."

"I'm very proud of you."

It wasn't what Caroline expected and she didn't know what to say in reply to Beverley's kind and supportive words.

"Well…erm….thank you Beverley."

At that moment Caroline's mobile rang and she saw it was the estate agents.

"Oh excuse me Beverley I need to take this."

Caroline chatted with the estate agent whilst Beverley tidied the tea cups away. Caroline became engrossed in the call not noticing who sneaked into her office. She clicked off the mobile and looked up to find Kate with Helena standing at the table. Kate indicated Helena was asleep again having just had yet another feed.

"Has everyone been nice?"

Kate smiled at her partner who looked happy in her familiar surroundings.

"Yes. They've been lovely. She certainly melts hearts. A few people have asked if we are having her christened."

Caroline looked taken aback. "It's not something I've really thought about. Have you?"

"A little but with everything else it isn't a priority on the list. Who was the call on your mobile?"

"The estate agents. The two women want the house and want a quick sale as their rental contact ends in eight weeks at the end of February."

"Oh right. Crikey, it's all happening rather fast."

"Yes it is a bit. Have you thought anymore about us living together?"

Kate moved towards her lover and took a seat on the edge of her desk relishing the relief from her back.

"Yes I have and I think it's a done deal. I need to sell my house and we need to find somewhere together. Lawrence is okay with it, I'm very much looking forward to living with you. Celia and Alan are actively looking for somewhere new and my mum will need looking after when she comes out of hospital. How about we find somewhere to rent to begin with? It will take the pressure off."

Caroline placed her hand on Kate's thigh to reassure her lover.

"Kate, are you really sure about this? I don't want to rush you into things. We've only been back together a few days and we rushed too fast last time."

"I'm sure this time Caroline. Ideally we could do with a lot more time to think and plan but renting will give us that. We can see how we all get on together before buying somewhere permanent."

Caroline smiled at her girlfriend and took Kate's gentle kiss with pleasure. A cough interrupted them mid flow as Beverley came into the office.

"Sorry Caroline, Kate but Gavin is here Caroline and he asked if he could have a few minutes of your time. I did say you had only come in to deal with a quick issue but he insisted."

"It's alright Beverley I can see him. I'm sure he won't be long then we're heading back home or rather to the estate agents to find somewhere to live."

Kate left the room passing Gavin on the way out. Gavin looked into the carry cot and smiled at the precious package wrapped inside. Beverley smiled at Gavin as she passed him with her love struck eyes.

"Caroline sorry, I know you've only popped in for a short time but it is a quick chat."

Caroline smiled at Gavin. "It's okay please come in."

"It's about this business with Michael Dawson. It seems there are certain members of the board who have inside information yet again."

"Don't tell me Mrs French or has she resigned after her unfortunate hateful outburst?"

"Don't worry she has resigned after listening to the valuable advice a number of her colleagues gave her. She is one of the sources but she also has other supporters. I would suggest it's something she could use to seek her own retribution for being in her words forced to resign for simply expressing what others were thinking."

"Great. Just what I need now. A vindictive old bat on my case."

Gavin laughed and shook his head. "Caroline I've never seen you back down from a fight. I can't think you'll back down from this."

"Oh Gavin. Please be sure I will not back down but it's personal this time and there are others around me who can get hurt. I have to consider my family and not just me. I can deal with any mean old bigot. However, my children and my partner are different."

"You know you'll always have my back and full support."

"Thanks Gavin. I do value that very much. I've discussed it with Graham before you came in. He intends to ask Michael to reconsider his resignation showing we don't hold prejudice against him. However, if Michael is insistent then we don't intend to stop him. We've plans in place should he be determined to go."

"Good. I knew you'd have it all in hand. Thank you. I'll get out of your hair and let you get home."

"Gavin. There is one other thing which may upset Mrs French and the others."

"Oh right. What exactly is that?"

"A few of the teaching staff wish to celebrate LGBT History month with assemblies and story boards around the school. We may also organise a musical event to celebrate. I was hoping the staff could count on the boards support!"

"Right. When is it exactly?"

"Four weeks. It's February and is nationally recognised celebration around the country."

"Okay. I'll raise it at the next board meeting in two weeks. You know this will go down like a lead balloon in certain quarters on the back of Mrs French's resignation."

Caroline smiled with a pretend innocence which belied a dragon fire hunger. "Really Gavin. I hadn't thought about it like that!"

"Right Caroline. Careful your nose will start growing. Enjoy your paternity leave and send my regards to your mum."

Caroline let out a loud laugh at the link to her mother's direct and straight talking approach to life. Attack, don't go defensive.

Kate entered her office again and asked if she was ready to go to the estate agents. Caroline stood after closing her computer down.

Kate noticed a smirk on Caroline's face. "Is everything alright Caroline?"

"What? Oh yes. Do you fancy going out for tea? You've been cooped up all week. I'm sure mum would look after Helena for an hour or two and it will do us good to get out?"

"Yeah. Sounds great. What have you been up too exactly?"

"Nothing. What makes you think I'm up to anything?"

"You have that look in your eye. Its mischief and something else."

A huge smirk formed across Caroline's face. "What type of restaurant do you fancy tonight? Chinese, Italian, Greek?"

"I don't know and don't change the subject."

Caroline feigned innocence with a hint of mirth.

"I'm not."

There was a silence between the two women before Caroline grinned.

"I fancy French!"