Caroline was absolutely not looking forward to this. Another sleepless night after another row with John. She had roused herself even earlier than she needed to so she could pick an outfit and do her make up. Then she worried Kate might see that as armour, which it definitely was, so she had toned down the make up and put on lower heels. Then she left the house, got into the car, started it, turned it off, went back inside and changed again. She regretted the outfit choice again when she saw Kate McKenzie in the corridor dressed in her usual work clothes; a pretty top, trousers and a cardigan.

"Shit. Shit, shit, shit."

A gasp. Caroline turned to see a startled 12 year old staring at her. "..that's rude. And should definitely not be said." She had never liked asking children not to tell anyone something, so she added, "I'm sorry I said that."

The girl considered her. "..that's ok. I accept your apology. But don't do it again."

Caroline bit back a retort. The girl would be in 9F in a couple of years.


"9F emergency." Beverley called into the office.

"What?"

"I can hear Miss McKenzie yelling from here." Beverley replied. "I think she's yelling in Italian."

Caroline stepped out her office and frowned, listening. Definitely a raised voice. "..did she just say spaghetti?" She began walking towards the sound, Beverley close behind.

Just as she was about to reach the classroom, Kate walked out, shut the door and fell against it with her eyes closed.

"She definitely said spaghetti." Beverley whispered. Kates top was covered in it.

"Miss McKenzie?"

Kate's eyes opened and she blushed deeply, looking down at her top in misery now she could see how much effort Caroline had put into her clothes for their night out. "I was trying to engage them in a different way. I thought Italian food might interest them."

Caroline watched as a slimy piece of spaghetti slid down Kate's top and fell with a wet thud onto the floor. "..have you got a spare top?"

"No."

"…Beverley can show you my stash of clothes." Caroline offered before disappearing into the room, her voice booming a moment later.

..

She was wearing Caroline Elliot's shirt. Her perfectly pressed shirt. That smelled of her. In fact it smelled of heaven. It was like being surrounded by the blonde. Kate realised with a start that she definitely should not be thinking about being surrounded by her head mistress.

But she needed to be relaxed for this evening, and she had had a terrible afternoon, so maybe a little innocent daydreaming wouldn't matter.

When Caroline entered her office just after the bell a few minutes later, she found Kate McKenzie sitting in her chair, eyes closed and a small smile on her face. The words the blonde had been about to say died on her lips when those eyes slowly opened and for a moment seemed to look into her soul.

"Oh god, sorry." Kate jumped up. She had changed into a plain white shirt that had been hastily tucked into her trousers and showed a slip of taut stomach. When the head mistress seemed to stay statue like at the door, Kate ventured "Doctor Elliot?"

"Sorry." she blinked. "You'd best call me Caroline if we plan on getting drunk together."

Kate's face lit with a smile. "I thought you were about to blast me for bringing spaghetti into a classroom."

"Not at all. I think trying different ways to engage them is-" she paused as the end of day bell rang. "- commendable, but they're still little shits, so maybe something less staining is a better idea for next time."

Kate laughed again. "Thanks for the shirt. It smells lovely."

"Does it?" Caroline asked, not seeming to pick up on the mortified look Kate gave when she realised she had said it out loud. "I have a collection of perfumes in the same cupboard that I use to try and overpower the smell of Lynx and teenagers. And spaghetti, apparently. Do you want to go home first to change? Or perhaps you'd like to do this another time?"

"No! I'll be fine." Kate smiled, hands held anxiously behind her back.


After Caroline had texted suggesting a couple of places, Kate picked one that had a discreet table for them, and it was here they sat together, currently 3 drinks in at 7pm on a Friday night.

"And then!" Kate was aware she was there so she could let Caroline talk, but the blonde had been gazing at her lap for so long she found herself babbling. "She said there was absolutely definitely nothing going on."

"But there was." Caroline offered

"In my own bed." Kate nodded.

"Bastard."

"Mmhm."

"And your best friend?!"

"I know. I was furious. She said she didn't think I'd be that bothered because of S-" Kate cut herself off, eyes wide. Shit. She should have thought about this.

"Because of?" Caroline prompted, gesturing for the waiter to fill their glasses again.

"..we came to talk about you."

Caroline smiled. "I promise to tell you all the juicy details if you tell me yours."

"..it's nothing."

"Is it? Doesn't sound like nothing. If you're worried about offending my sensibilities, you've not met my-"

"Sarah."

"Sorry?"

"..I fell in love with a woman called Sarah. Nothing.. happened. At all. I don't think she even knew. But I told my best friend one night, and obviously she thought it meant the end of me and Richard."

"But it didn't?"

"I liked our life. We worked well together. I didn't love him any less than I ever had, even when I realised about..my sexuality."

"..you were burying your head in the sand." Caroline said mildly, swilling her wine as she repeated Kates words from the day before back to her.

"You're not shocked?"

"No. I..no." Caroline shook her head. "Once you realise your husband has been giving his mistress your old lingerie to wear while they role play student and teacher in your home office, nothing much shocks you."

Kate stared at her. And then she burst out laughing.

Caroline grinned, lifting her eyes . "What? What?! It's not funny!"

"I know it's not." Kate giggled.

By the time the waiter came to refill their glasses, the pair were in hysterics.

"Nope. No. No, no, no. I'm 46!"

"46 year olds all over the world do it!"

"How old are you?"

"42."

"Well see, you're young enough to do it. I'm not."

"You are, Caroline Elliot."

"I am not going into a club. I refuse. I simply refuse!"

..

Sat at a table inside a club. At the age of 46. Her mother will be furious when she finds out.

"My mum is going to yell at me when she hears where I've gone."

Kate put a hand on each of Caroline's cheeks to help herself focus on which Caroline was the real one. "I think we've had too much to drink. Because I just imagined you, a headmistress, has just told me she's going to get into trouble for going to a club."

"You're making fun of me again." Caroline smiled.

Kate grinned. "You're so different than I imagined you would be, Caroline. You're so innocent and sweet."

Caroline snorted.

Kate laughed.

Caroline grinned.

..

At 46, Caroline Elliot was eating a kebab while sitting on a wooden park bench after what might have been the best night of her life. "How long for the taxi?"

"Another 10." Kate replied.

"I don't want to go home. I don't want tonight to end. I know I've drunk far too much, but I'm happy, like I don't remember feeling In a long time. And I don't want it to end."

"Then it won't. Once a week, you and me. We can go and do whatever you want. It can be our special night, with only happiness allowed. Look, I'll block it off in my diary. Caroline time."

"Just me and you?"

"Just you and me."

Caroline gave a happy sigh and bit into her kebab.


"Mum! MUM! Wake up!"

Caroline squinted, confused, then realised she was laying on her own couch and her son was standing over her. "Wassamatta?"

"What? Dad hasn't shown, and I'm late for rugby!"

Caroline let out a long sigh and rubbed her face. "Give me 5 minutes." Would she be ok to drive? What time did she even get In last night?

A check of her phone brought a hangover of happiness from the night before. A photo of Kate and her in a taxi. Both grinning. Clock showing 10.30pm. She was definitely too old.

But she had a friend.