A/N Thanks to all of you who are joining me for this ride. It's good to have your feedback and encouragement. Can you believe it's over three years since I posted the first chapter of 'I will stay'? I thought this story might be three or four chapters long but it seems to have developed a life all of its own! That's K & C magic for you - nothing comes close.

Chapter 3

'Oh shit!' John exclaimed loudly. 'Not helpful.' He pushed the library chair onto its two back legs and stared at the ceiling for several seconds before recollecting that this was not the example he should be giving to the students around him in the University library. He shrugged and laughed self-consciously, having realised that his behaviour was not going unnoticed. As he turned to retrieve his laptop bag from the back of the nearby chair he saw that his favourite librarian was on duty. 'She might just save the day and if not, it will be worth trying!' he thought as he walked across to where she was standing, with her back to him.

'Judith! Just the person.'

The slightly younger, dark-haired woman turned towards him and smiled.

'Well, Mr Elliot, no less. How might I be of service?'

'Oh, formal today, aren't we?!' he smirked.

'Well, John, what wish might I grant, professionally speaking, that is?'

'My laptop battery is flat and I don't have a pen. Any chance I could borrow one from you? I'll give it back next time I'm here.'

'I've lost count of the number of times I've heard that one. If you had any idea how tight fisted the procurement office is about such things, you wouldn't ask. Here, let me look. I bring my own.'

For the first time John realised that Judith had one of her typically flamboyant bags on her shoulder.

'Off out or on your way in?'

'Just off to lunch.'

'Oh, fancy some company? I'll treat you to a sandwich in the cafeteria.'

'Make that a glass or two of white in the 'Gardener's Arms' and you're on.'

'Ok. As long as you agree to give me the pen!'

They walked animatedly to the nearby public house and John led her to a small table in the corner of the snug, away from most of the other customers, before he walked to the bar to buy a bottle of white wine. Judith took the opportunity to take a swig from a small flask that she kept at the bottom of her bag and then re-applied her lipstick.

'Here's a pen for you,' she smiled, as he returned to the table. 'Free gift to the penny-pinching English department.'

'I wasn't in the library for departmental work. I'm trying to develop some bits in my next novel. I find I work better in the quiet of the library than in my office or at home. Fewer distractions, I guess.' He winked as he filled their glasses. 'Well, most of the time!'

'If you want help to understand the workings of a library or a woman's mind, I'm at your service!'

John laughed loudly and briefly touched her hand as he handed over a glass of wine.

'Greece. That's what I need help with. My novel's based in ancient Greece but my publisher wants me to do a bit of a twist and tie it in with the here and now. You know, flashback or fast-forward crap that seems to be all the rage.'

'Well, that might be something else I can help you with. Seriously.' She emptied half of the glass in one swallow. 'I'm a quarter Greek; that's where my hair colour and its texture come from.' With her free hand she flicked the long fringe away from her eyes and watched the response from her companion before continuing. 'My Yaya lives there, in Kefalonia. That's my dad's mum. I visit her every summer at the end of August. Free holiday. Plenty of Ouzo! What do you need to know?'

So it was that an hour in Judith's company passed quickly and John had a spring in his step and a lightness to his mood as they set off back to the campus. Agreeing to meet again later in the week, ostensibly for further discussion about his book, John decided not to go back to work. He had an idea and, as was usual for him, he wanted to set wheels in motion sooner rather than later.

ooOoo

As Caroline opened the front door she could smell the aroma of something cooking. Her mouth watered and she headed straight for the kitchen, the boys following closely. The kitchen was in total disarray but the smells were even better than she had first sensed. Garlic, mint, cinnamon and, she was sure, many others that she could not yet distinguish. She was quietly impressed.

'Well, hello, family! I hope you're hungry. I'm cooking.'

'No shit, Sherlock!' exclaimed his wife. 'What have we done to warrant this?'

'Well, you asked me to support you more and this is one thing that I can do. I hope it will meet with your approval. It's Greek meatballs and appropriate accompaniments. I think we'll have enough for a couple of days. We can always put it in the freezer if there's any left as it's all fresh ingredients. Would Celia like to come around, do you think?'

Caroline was astounded. She had challenged John the previous day, after his return from London, explaining how she felt that he had reduced the level of his responsibility to the point where she seemed like a single parent most of the time. Moreover, it was if she had three children to supervise not two. She wasn't sure that he had taken her feelings on board but the evidence before her indicated that she had been wrong. At least, this looked like a step in the right direction. The boys were also surprised at their father's efforts. While he could never do any wrong in Lawrence's eyes, William was more observant and less enamoured of his father's behaviour. But even he could not deny the effort that had been exerted.

'Well done, dad. I like Greek food.' William acknowledged quietly while Lawrence high-fived his dad.

'How about pouring yourself a glass and one for me please?' John suggested to his wife.

'Yes, will do. I thought I might go upstairs to change first, though. Is there time? How about William or Lawrence going through to next door and checking with mum and the other one setting the table while I do that?'

It was then that Caroline noticed the holiday brochures on the worktop.

'Holiday brochures? Is this another surprise?'

'Yup. Greek food. Greek holiday? Someone at the University was talking about Kefalonia today and it seemed just right for us. I could do with immersing myself in the culture to help my creative juices and we all like the sunshine. We haven't booked anything for the summer yet and we'll just have the dregs to choose from if we're not careful.'

'Oh, yes!' shouted Lawrence. 'Two weeks, yes, please!'

'Did you say Kefalonia?' asked William. 'That's the island in Captain Corelli's Mandolin. I'd really like to experience it for myself.'

'It would seem the men in my life have made the decision! Right. I'm off to get changed. William, go and ask your Gran if she fancies meatballs.'

ooOoo

'Caroline, is there anything else you want done before I head off?'

A shake of the head came before the reply. 'No, thank you, Beverley. I'm not going to be long myself. John's away at another review with his publisher and I don't like the boys to have dinner too late. Plus, I'm hoping to get some bedding plants in. Mum chose hundreds of them at the garden centre last week and they're still waiting for my attention. I'll see you tomorrow.'

'If I can walk, you'll see me!'

The head looked up to check that her assistant was joking. 'What are YOU going to be up to?!'

'Pilates. My neighbour teaches it and she has persuaded me to give it a try. I've put a notice in the staff room in case anyone else is interested. She's independent, not a franchise, doing it long before it became fashionable, so I'm not sure how I've managed to avoid her for so long! Fancy giving it a go?'

'No; the boys.'

'She does two evening classes in Harrogate every week, so you'd better come up with a better excuse than that!'

'Tell you what, I'll think about it. I'll see how you cope before I commit myself! See you tomorrow.'

'Yes, you will. Have a good evening. Oh, have you remembered that Kate McKenzie will be spending some time here tomorrow?'

'Goodness me, I had forgotten. Where has the time gone since her interview.'

'She said the same when I spoke to her. It's over two months, believe it or not. She'll be here by midday. Jeremy has arranged a few activities for her and she'll have lunch in the canteen. All sorted. Well, I'm off to get my leggings on! Bye.'

On the way to meet the boys Caroline called in at the staff room to look at the Pilates notice. There were classes in other towns and she put those details in her 'phone. This was something that she had been thinking of doing, but she didn't want to tell Beverley that. Neither did she want to go when other staff might be there. The reason for doing a Pilates class would be to get away from responsibilities, not to shadow them.

ooOoo

'Can Lawrence and I go to the cinema straight from school?' William asked at breakfast. 'We can pick up a McDonalds while we're out, so you won't have to cook for us. It's a Friday so we can do homework at the weekend.'

'You seem to have it all sorted but why don't you go to the cinema tomorrow instead?' Caroline was not averse to William's suggestion but wondered at the unusual request.

'Lawrence is playing cricket in Huddersfield and I've promised Gran I'll go with her to buy an iPhone.'

'iPhone? Whatever does she need one of those for? She won't know how to use it. And, why didn't she ask me?'

'I think it's because she knew what your reaction might be!' William chuckled.

'Well, she's not wrong there then!' She ruffled William's hair and smiled. 'Yes, you can go to the cinema. As for shopping with your Gran? You need a medal! Trust me, even your good nature will be tested. I guess I should be rewarding you for saving me the bother as long as you do your best to stop her wasting too much money.'

William dashed from the kitchen to tell Lawrence the good news and Caroline sat at the breakfast bar with the remnants of her coffee.

'Smart phone! Whatever next?'

ooOoo

At the end of the day Caroline struggled down the steps from the school, laden with her bag as well as those of William and Lawrence. The boys had gone off to the cinema and left Caroline to take their belongings home. She loaded the boot and settled into the Jeep to drive home. Looking across the car park she noticed a car that she did not recognise.

'Who can that be?' she questioned herself before her memory came to the rescue. It was Kate McKenzie's car. Querying why Kate was still in school, when she knew that the teaching staff had already gone, Caroline thought that she should check that all was ok and got out of the car again.

Kate saw her approach and lowered the driver's window.

'Hello Kate. I thought it was you. I'm sorry I haven't caught up with you today. Was everything ok? Is everything ok?'

'It was fine. I've been looked after very well. Come September it will be good to have had the time here today. I guess you are wondering why I'm still in the car park when everyone else has gone. I've spent the last day and a half house-hunting without success, but the estate agent just phoned me to say that a cottage has come back onto their books and asked if I want to view. I was looking on Google maps but I can't find it.' Kate showed Caroline the address that she had written down.

'That's a relatively easy drive. I have no idea why Google has let you down but I can help. Do you want to follow me?'

'I can't ask you to do that. Pointing me in the right direction should be good enough.'

'I really don't mind, Kate. That's my side of Harrogate and I'll not really be going out of my way. Besides, I'll find that easier to do that than giving you directions. What time have you got to be there?'

Kate looked at her watch. 'The owners are expecting me in about half an hour. Have we got time?'

'No problem even with the traffic at this time of day. I'll look out for you at junctions to make sure I don't leave you behind.' With that she headed back to her Jeep before Kate declined her help again.

Twenty minutes later Caroline pulled up outside the cottage. Kate was not far behind and once she had parked she walked towards the Jeep.

'I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this is ok. I haven't been impressed by anything so far which is worrying as I've sold my house already and time is getting on. Mind you, it's not great looking at houses on your own.'

'I see that. Tell you what. I don't want to interfere and understand if you don't want me to, but I'd be more than happy to look around with you.'

'You don't want to do that. I'm sure you've got better things to do with your time. Start your weekend now!'

Caroline quickly ran through what the evening had in store for her. The boys were out. John was away. Her mother… could manage without her.

'To be honest with you, Kate, I love houses and to go house-hunting, without the personal stress that normally accompanies it, sounds like an enjoyable way to spend an hour. I'm game, if it's not intruding.' The decision was made and Caroline followed Kate to the house along a slightly curved path which ran beside a well-kept lawn.

The cottage was beautiful and Kate thought it was ideal for her needs. While she re-inspected the bedrooms, Caroline wandered around the garden and they met again by the front door. Kate hid her feelings until they reached the pavement, when her smile said it all.

'It's perfect for me. Don't you agree?'

'I don't know your circumstances, Kate, but it is certainly a lovely house. It seems excellent value for the area.'

'It is. That's an essential part of the jigsaw too. I can afford it! Also, I don't know if you overheard the conversation but they're on a tight deadline to move as they were let down by a previous buyer which is why it has suddenly come back on the market today. They've already signed a contract to move into rented accommodation in Wales while they have a house built near their daughter so the sooner they sell and release the equity the sooner they can start to build. Plus, they don't want to be paying rent on a house that they are not living in. I'll get straight onto the estate agents before I start the drive home.'

'Well done and for the second time in as many months, I'll be the first to offer my congratulations to you. I'm pleased for you, Kate. Can you find your way back to the main road from here?'

'I can, and thank you. If I believed in such things I would say that you've brought me luck. See you in about two months' time.'

'Looking forward to it, Kate. Safe journey.' With that Caroline climbed into her Jeep and started the engine. As she drove away she looked back at Kate with a mix of sadness and joy.

'