Chapter 22

The wedding celebrations ended just after midnight and the two very weary ladies from Harrogate were not sorry to head upstairs to their room and even more pleased to take their shoes off. Caroline was the first to acknowledge that she didn't have her mother's skill on the dance floor, but she had enjoyed the experience of being with someone who did rather than having to endure the 'dad-dancing' and drunken behaviour that John would have demonstrated. Not that she would have had an invitation to the wedding had she still been with John. In fact, it stood to reason, that she would not have been back in touch with Meg had that been the case.

As might have been expected Kate and Caroline had not spent any length of time with the newly-weds over the course of the evening, and even if they had the music would have been too loud for conversation. Caroline had spoken with Meg's mother and once in the privacy of their bedroom she was keen to tell Kate about it.

'So, there I was at the mirror, touching up my lippie and Meg's mum came into the toilets. I could tell by the look on her face that she knew who I was, so I didn't introduce myself, and I just said something about it being a lovely wedding. Well, she took me off at the knees. Said that I shouldn't have been invited and if I had an ounce of decency I would have turned the invitation down. I didn't know what to say. I didn't want to get into a row with her but neither did I want her to think that it was acceptable to be rude even if she thought she was in the right.'

'So what did you do?'

'Well, I started to say that I was sorry she felt like that when who should come out of a cubicle than Caz. She's obviously heard the tirade and immediately apologised for her grandmother and told her not to spoil Meg's day by being rude to guests. Grandma bustled off with her tail between her legs. It made me wonder if she'd followed me in there purposefully as she didn't appear to need the loo. Anyway, once she was out of earshot I said that I understood why her Gran was so protective and we stood in the ladies having quite a chat. I got the impression of a pretty smart cookie and a very kind young lady.'

'Oh, how embarrassing that Caz had to come to your rescue again! It says a lot about her that she stood up to her grandmother. I thought you'd been gone a long time. I'd begun to wonder if you'd sneaked up here to get out of dancing with me.'

Caroline had been taking her make-up off while they chatted but put her cleansing wipe down and turned to Kate, who was undressing ready for bed. From across the room she moved her hands as if outlining Kate's curves while she spoke.

'Why would I do that? Lose the chance to hold you tight in a slow dance or watch your hips move in a faster one? Not likely. Either option works for me!'

'I don't know what you mean!' exclaimed Kate in mock surprise.

'Like hell you don't. I know your game, lady. It was like an evening of extended foreplay and in a few short minutes I'll let you feel the fruit of your labour!'

'Oh, talking of labour, tell me what Meg meant about having a baby.'

'That, my darling Kate, will wait for another day. Right now, I've more important things to use my mouth for than talking. Do you need some help to get those clothes off because I'm getting frustrated at your lack of progress!'

ooOoo

'Come and look at this, Raff.' Alan beckoned to his grandson who was putting the finishing touches to his homework.

'Ok, Grandad. Just give me a minute. Then you can tell me why we are whispering!'

Alan looked across the yard to the nearest field. Yes, Gillian was still there, busy checking her sheep, so there was no chance that she could overhear. He smiled to himself as he shook his head. His nervousness at telling Raff his news didn't compare to his dread of the mockery Gillian was likely to express if she found out. He loved his daughter, but he was not blind to her imperfections and her party trick was making fun of anything slightly out of the ordinary.

'Sorry, Raff lad. I'm not used to this cloak and dagger behaviour. I keep forgetting myself.'

Raff had joined his grandad in front of the computer where he could see a photo of an older woman with a broad smile. There was something stylish about her, which would fit what his grandad had told him about the young girl who had stood him up. He returned the grin that dominated his grandad's face, sensing the honour of being invited to share something so important and personal. Having lost his father at an early age Raff had grown up grateful for the support and example of this kind man who he respected and loved beyond words and he felt the justice of his happiness.

'She looks nice, Grandad. I take it that is your lost date.'

'That's her. She does look bonny, doesn't she? I'd recognise her anywhere. It's as if sixty years just evaporated. Thank you for your help with Facebook, lad.'

'So, what happens now? Have you messaged her?'

'Oh, aye. Just a casual message, you know. Hope she's well and asked about her family. Told her that I was a widower and that I live on a farm with you and your mum. Now just waiting for her to reply.'

'Good job. Well done you. You'd better wipe that smile off your face before mum comes in or she'll know something's up! You know that she won't spend too much of her Sunday out there.'

ooOoo

'Are you packed yet, Kate?' Caroline called through from the en-suite bathroom as she pulled the brush through her hair.

'Yup. But there's no need to rush as we're alright for time. I'm so glad I brought my flats for walking around the vineyard. I'm quite excited; it's a first for me.'

Caroline continued to brush her hair as she came into the room, no longer needing a mirror for the task. She packed the rest of her belongings as Kate watched. They'd enjoyed a small continental breakfast with some of the other guests but there had been no sign of Meg or Severine, or, to Caroline's relief, Meg's mother but that would probably change when they called in at the winery on their way back to the airport. Caroline joined Kate on the window seat and checked her watch.

'Oh, you're right. There's still nearly twenty minutes until the minibus is due.'

'Yes, time to tell me what Meg meant about the baby.'

Caroline snuggled into the arm that Kate held out and began the story, going right back to the e mail that Meg had sent describing the phone call with her mother. Kate was shocked to hear the extent of Celia's bigotry, realising for the first time that she may have underestimated her. Caroline moved on to talk about the reaction of Meg's parents and the way that Caz's birth had eventually healed some of the hurt.

'Oh, so that's why she said about having a baby to get your mother on your side.'

'Well, my mother isn't likely to be so easily placated, which is just as well as I've no intention of going down the sleepless nights and dirty nappy avenue again. Can you imagine, teenagers and a baby in the same household? What a disaster that would be. I'm just going to give the bathroom one final check; I've a feeling I've forgotten something.'

With Caroline's back turned Kate wiped the stray tear that had escaped from its pool despite her best efforts. Her throat felt tight and she was relieved to avoid conversation for a few seconds until she had brought her emotions back under control. The last thing she wanted was for Caroline to sense her discomfiture. Their next hurdle was to begin to be open to others about their relationship and Kate felt it was far too early to talk about her dreams for a baby. She had asked herself numerous times over the previous few weeks when the time would be right to mention it and she felt that there was no easy answer to such a conundrum. To talk about it too early was to declare an assumption that they had a future together and likely to spook a partner at the start of any relationship, let alone one where there were mountains to climb. However, leave it too late and there was a risk of being thought dishonest for hiding such a momentous dream. Perhaps, she pondered in those few quiet seconds, she should have made the most of the opening presented to her that morning.

'It's too late now.' She whispered the words to herself, but they came out rather more loudly than she intended.

'No, it's not, Kate. We've still got plenty of time. They'll not drive off without us. Here, I've got the room key. If you're worried, we can go.'

ooOoo

Meg and Severine were waiting at the farmhouse to give a tour of the vineyard and to say their goodbyes to the eight wedding guests who were returning to the UK that afternoon. They described their plans for the business and were obviously looking forward to the challenge. As much as she loved her job, Caroline couldn't help but be envious of their lifestyle and while slowly sipping a small glass of white wine she felt more than a slight sadness at the thought of returning to the regimentation of her daily routine.

'Euro for your thoughts!'

'With the poor exchange rate they're not worth that much, Meg! I was just comparing my life with yours and Severine's. I know you must have to work so very hard but the freedom, the space to, to, oh, I don't know. The space to just be, I guess.'

'Ours is a different world, Caroline, but it isn't the chocolate box lifestyle that you might imagine. There are times when we're up against it and the stress sends my blood pressure through the roof. You soon forget the wonderful scenery and peace when the weather changes just as the grapes are being picked, or when the wine wholesaler wants to pay us less than last year and our margins are already tight. You and Kate are starting to make progress so just hold that thought and hang on in there.'

'You're right. I'm just tired, I guess, and at least the Easter holiday will soon be here. I shouldn't moan, as we've had such a wonderful weekend. We're really grateful that you invited us.'

'Kate seems lovely, Caroline.'

Caroline looked across an expanse of field to where Caz and Kate were deep in conversation. She knew that Kate was making the most of the opportunity to use her French, learn about the business and take photographs. A topic on wine growing was sure to be added to the lunchtime French club programme as Kate continued her quest to interest those students who they struggled to engage.

'She is. I'm just beginning to realise how lovely. She's taken a real shine to you all.'

'Likewise. We would really like to see more of you both. Would you come back in the summer, use one of the cottages? Bring the boys too. Severine loves having children about the place.'

'Did she ever want to have a child of her own?'

Meg didn't reply but the disdain on her face said all that Caroline needed to hear.

'Oh, I'm sorry, Meg. That was insensitive, thoughtless and so very wrong.'

'It was. If you ask Caz, she'll tell you. It's not blood. It's not name. It's twee but it's true, the love in the heart and the bonds forged are what counts, and Severine and Caz started that journey when Caz was five months old. What about Kate?'

'What about her?'

'What does she think about having children?'

Caroline looked again towards Kate, whose responsiveness and interest in their pupils was remarkable. She knew that not all teachers wanted children at home however much they enjoyed helping them learn and develop at school, but she also realised that it wasn't something that she had ever talked to Kate about. With the difficulty that he had accepting the breakdown of his parent's marriage Lawrence was unlikely to be welcoming to another adult in his life, certainly not his mother's lesbian lover. William was practically an adult. Kate was just forty-two, so did she still hope for a baby and the chance to forge those bonds that Meg spoke about?'

'You don't know, do you?' Meg prompted.

Caroline's head dropped, and she placed her wine glass on the floor of the terrace. She didn't feel able to look at Meg, so ashamed was she of her shortcomings.

'I'm going to be blunt, and hope you can take it, Caroline. If not, you'll head back home, and I won't ever hear from you again. But, this is going to be said with affection, so I hope you'll be open to what I'm going to say. I'd put money on the fact that you haven't asked but assumed. I wonder how much you can tell me about Kate that you haven't learned from her CV. Her background, her hopes and trials growing up; big and little alike. Did she play for the school hockey team and break her arm when she fell off her bike? I've seen enough of her over the last twenty-four hours to know that she worships the ground that you walk on, but I also sense that she lacks confidence in your relationship which probably means she follows your lead more often than not. When we were together you knew everything there was to know about me because I didn't give you any option, mouthy git that I was and am, but I sense Kate isn't like that. Stop assuming, Caz, and start asking and listening. Please!'

Caroline raised her head and looked forlornly at her friend. Every word that Meg had spoken had hit home with razor-sharp accuracy. She sensed the genuineness of Meg's intentions and could not take offence.

'I will, Meg. Thank you for daring to challenge me. Not many are brave enough to do so. I'd already determined that I would tell the family about Kate next weekend, but I need to set time aside to ask Kate what she wants for her future if it's going to be mine too. You will hear from me again and it won't be another twenty-five years.'

'Good. We'll hope to see you in the summer and expect an invitation to your wedding once it becomes legal!'

'It won't ever be legal unless I talk to John about getting divorced first, but the summer trip sounds perfect.'

'If Kate agrees?'

'Of course. If Kate agrees!'