Thank you so much for the positive response following the first two chapters – I am blown away people have enjoyed the beginning of this story – I didn't anticipate it to happen! 😊

Bonfire Night!


Caroline couldn't stop thinking about the evening on her drive home, if she wasn't sure before there was something perhaps blossoming between them then she was now. She did have to remind herself it had only been 4 days since they had met, although somehow, having spent the evening in her and her family's company she felt she had known all of them a lot longer.

Pulling up outside her house she turned off the ignition and sat for a moment. She looked at Flora through the rear-view mirror, still sound asleep with her mouth open slightly. Caroline smiled, remembering watching Kate sleep with the same look on her face, it broke her heart that she couldn't be here now, to have the opportunity to raise her daughter. There wasn't a day that went by where she didn't think about Kate, think about what they would have been like together now with Flora in the picture.

After sitting with her own thoughts for a while she got out of the car to unlock the door before retrieving Flora from the back of the car. As she walked through the house her mother was in the kitchen making a cup of tea, upon seeing her, Caroline put her index finger over her mouth as a gesture for her mother not to talk. Instead, Celia shook a cup at her as a way of asking the question of whether she wanted a cup of tea to which Caroline nodded and took Flora upstairs.

Pulling back the blanket she lay Flora down flat who wriggled a little in the bed, the motion of being moved disturbed her somewhat. Caroline stood still over her until she had settled again and tucked her in, placing a kiss on her forehead.

"Good night, Flora, I love you." She whispered gently and turned off the night light before heading back downstairs.

"You coming through love?" Celia was carrying both of their cups as Caroline reached the bottom of the stairs and walked through to the living room with Caroline following behind. Celia put both cups on the coffee table before they sat on the sofa's opposite to each other.

"Did you have a nice time?"

"Yes, it was fine, Gillian and her family are lovely, and Flora had a nice time with Emily. Did you get anyone knock on the door?"

"I don't know, I nodded off, but I wouldn't have answered anyway, you know I can't stand these things, we'll have the fireworks next, it's never ending. I'll have to dig my earplugs out, so I don't have to listen to them." Celia sighed as she sat further back on the sofa and took a sip of her tea.

"Mum, when have you ever seen fireworks around here?"

"They should ban those wretched things, could give us old ones a heart attack with their loud bangs, I don't even like watching them on the television at New Year it's a complete waste of money and those twits standing out in the cold for hours for a 10-minute show must be bonkers."

Caroline knew she would have to change the subject otherwise she would just continue complaining and it would turn into a 'back in our day' conversation which then somehow turned into a lecture and finished with them both in an argument with each other. Quite frankly Caroline wasn't in the mood.

"When are you next out with your friends?"

Celia tutted, "Friday…well it's supposed to be, only Jackie's gone and pulled her back out, she claims she can barely walk but I don't believe her. She was perfectly fine on Saturday night; I think she just wants to get out of going to the club. She's been seeing some old fella that goes in there, but they've had a bit of a falling out, so I think she wants to steer clear of him. You would think when you get to my age the tittle tattle would end but no, here we are."

"Oh…right." Caroline wasn't really that interested when she was going out or what she was getting up to, she just felt an obligation to ask.

Celia could see she had no interest in what she was saying, she wasn't even sure she was listening. "I might fancy myself a fella, someone younger to take care of me, apparently age gap relationships are becoming quite common. What do you reckon? Me as a cougar." Celia laughed, it had become conversation on the Saturday night after Jackie was telling the women about her dilemma and one of them had suggested getting a younger man who didn't suffer all of the problems she was alluding to.

Caroline piped up, this time she was listening and didn't particularly like what she was hearing. "Mum! I hope you're not being serious." Last thing Caroline wanted to see was a man, potentially younger than herself parading around the house.

"I might be, I might not be. Anyway, I'm more bothered about you finding someone, you've been on your own too long now Caroline, you don't want to end up like me." Celia had never really been in love, she married Caroline's dad as he was nice enough, treated her with respect and her mother adored him. So, she agreed to marry him after which the affairs began and the two of them stayed together only for the sake of Caroline. They ended up being married until he died, in the end it was just a case of being so used to being in each other's company they would probably have been lonely without each other.

"When have I got time to meet anyone? Between Flora and the school there's no real room for anyone else." Caroline sighed, she kept telling herself this in the hope she could convince herself it to be true and not just admit to herself she was worried about getting involved with someone again. Her life got turned upside down when she found out John had been cheating and she had an epiphany, she didn't want to pretend anymore. Then she married Kate and they had planned their lives to be together, to raise a child together, except that didn't happen either. Each time Caroline had managed to re-build her life and adjust to the changes, she wasn't sure if she had the strength to do it again. Although, on the other hand, if she didn't put herself out there then she would end up like her mother, alone and living with one of her children and she didn't want that either.

"Excuses is all I get out of you Caroline. You want to try making more of an effort with yourself when you go out, you don't know who you might bump into. Mind you, I can see you've made an effort today going over to who's was it? Gillian?"

Caroline pursed her lips, she had gotten used to her comments over the years so would often just let them wash over her, she only hoped she would never make the same comments to Flora. "Yes, Gillian." Caroline smiled thinking about her briefly. "I'm surprised you haven't bumped into her picking Flora up, she's Emily's gran, owns a farm."

"You got all tarted up to go to a farm? With Emily's gran? And you say you don't have time to meet anyone."

Caroline couldn't win, she didn't make an effort it was an issue, she did make an effort it was an issue. "I went over there for Flora's sake, her and Emily get along well and it's nice for her to have friends. Gillian is the same age as me, she thought it might be nice for us to become friends."

More than friends if I've picked up on her hints tonight.

"Is she a lesbian as well? What's with all you women turning lesbian, Maureen's daughter has just come out as gay at 57 as well. I could hook you up with her I suppose, mind you she is a bit rough."

"I don't know mum, funnily enough it's not the first question that comes out of my mouth when I first meet someone." Of course, Caroline did know, she just didn't want to tell her mum as she'd never hear the end of it. She chose to ignore her question regarding lesbians, Celia had come to accept that Caroline is one, but she still would sometimes come out with arrogant or inappropriate questions. "Why is she 'rough' as you put it?"

"She's got tattoos of her kids names across her wrists, and she wears a nose piercing." This disgusted Celia, she couldn't stand anyone expressing themselves in such a way.

Her mother could be so judgmental and small minded. "Well, we can't be having that now can we."

"Maybe you should try out speed dating, I'm sure I saw there's an event coming up at a hotel in Halifax before Christmas, and I think it said they were BLT inclusive."

Caroline erupted into laughter. "Oh, well, it's good to know they will be including a BLT sandwich on the menu." She put on her voice she used when teaching. "It's LGBT+ mum. There are further acronyms, but you should probably get to grips with the first four as a start."

"You'll always just find a way to have a go at me won't you, I was only trying to be nice. I was going to offer to have Flora so you could go but you can sod off now." She huffed.

Caroline could tell she was trying. "I'm sorry, I'll have a look at it and let you know." Caroline had no intention of going; she couldn't think of anything worse than having to introduce herself and listen to 10 or more people in one night.

Just as the silence was beginning to turn awkward, Caroline heard her phone ping, and she retrieved it from her pocket. Pushing the phone away from her face as she didn't have her glasses on, she could see it was from Gillian.

"I'm going to bed love. I've got things to be doing tomorrow."

Caroline put her phone down and looked at her mum with a confused look on her face. "What things? I thought you were coming to the inflatable place with me and Flora."

"Just things, alright." Frankly she couldn't think of anything worse than being sat around excited and screaming kids for 2 hours. She pushed her fists into the sofa, stood upright and gave Caroline a peck on the lips who had also got up to get her glasses. "Goodnight love, think about what I said."

"Goodnight mum, see you in the morning." Caroline followed the older woman as she disappeared off to bed and went in search for her glasses.

Now sat at the kitchen table with her glasses found she was able to read the text message from Gillian.

Gillian: Thanks for coming tonight, it was fun having you here. Did you get home okay?

Caroline: Thank you for having us and yes, we did. I would have text, but I got caught up talking to my mother.

Gillian: That's okay. I was wondering, do you have any plans for bonfire night?

Caroline: No not really, I'll just be preparing for the return to school on Monday.

Gillian: We always have a bonfire here, jacket potatoes, toasted marshmallows that kind of thing. I just wanted to know if you and Flora fancied coming.

Gillian had been sat at home for an hour racking her brains for a reason to get the blonde back in her company, and soon. It wasn't until Raff asked if they had enough wood for Sunday that it had dawned on her.

Caroline wasn't the biggest fan of bonfire's; she hated how the smell would cling to your clothes and hair. However, she knew Emily would probably end up telling Flora about it on Monday who would be jealous, and it would give her an excuse to see the brunette again. She couldn't believe how the lightest touch on her chin and Gillian gazing into her eyes had such an effect on her, she had almost felt drunk afterwards.

Caroline: We can do, that would be nice, thank you. Will you please let me bring something this time?

Gillian: Nope, although you could bake us some Parkin if you want, your baking skills seem to be a lot better than mine.

Caroline: Okay, that I can do. Enjoyed the cupcakes then?

Gillian: Yes, they have gone down a treat, almost as delicious as you ;)

Caroline: I've told you once before and I'll tell you again, you're talking bollocks.

Gillian: I pray for the day you will accept a compliment when it's thrown your way.

Caroline: What time do you want us to be there?

Gillian: When it starts getting dark? Say 4/4:30? I know the girls have school the following day so we can't be too late.

Caroline: We'll see you then, I'm looking forward to it.

Gillian was grinning from ear to ear, she hoped what Caroline actually meant was that she was looking forward to seeing her again.

Gillian: Good night, Caroline, I'll see you Sunday x.

Caroline: Good night, Gillian x.

Putting her phone down on the table she stood up to turn off the lights around the house downstairs and headed up to bed, thinking of seeing Gillian again and wondering how much flirting she would try to get in on Sunday. Caroline was neither good at flirting nor responding to it, if she was honest, it made her feel awkward. However, she was beginning to warm to the compliments from Gillian, there was an initial attraction there from both sides. Realising this she noted she was going to have to up her game if she wanted to explore whatever this may be with Gillian.


Caroline spent the next few days of the half term entertaining Flora, by Sunday she was exhausted. She did enjoy being able to have the same time off as she could spend time with her but having a 5-year-old want constant attention for the best part of 12 hours took it out of her. Some would say she was her own worst enemy, she was insistent on the young girl not spending too much time in front of a screen. That also meant Caroline had to come up with ideas to keep her otherwise entertained and in some cases remained educational.

"Flora, do you want to take this Parkin to Emily's house? They are having a bonfire and have invited us." Caroline never told Flora where they were going until a few hours before in case their plans changed, and she was left disappointed.

"Yes please! Thank you mummy!" She wrapped her arms tightly around Caroline's legs in a hug, excited at the thought of getting to play with Emily.

"Shall we go put some warmer clothes on and then we can set off?" With that being said both of them went upstairs to change. Caroline this time remembered to pack a bag with spare clothes.

With both of them changed and wrapped up they headed out the door and made their way to Gillian's for the second time that week. Caroline pulled up next to the Land Rover again, leaving the bags in the car with only the Parkin in hand and they walked towards the door which was already open.

"Hello...Gillian?" Caroline lightly knocked on the door and peered her head to see if she could see her.

Gillian was further down the farm after bringing benches and tables down and around the circle of stones they had constructed for the fire. She had seen the blonde pull in and walked back up to the farmhouse to greet her.

"Hello again you two, you had a good week?" Both Caroline and Flora turned around to face Gillian.

"Hi Gillian!" Flora exclaimed excitedly. "We went to somewhere with bouncy castles, it was fun, but mummy didn't come on with me, would you come on with me Gillian?" Flora followed Gillian as she took off down the path back where she had come up from.

"Oh no, why wouldn't mummy go on, are adults not allowed?" Gillian threw a smirk to Caroline over her shoulder, knowing she probably could go on, but it probably wasn't really her thing.

"Yeah, they were, but mummy hurt her leg, she's always hurting her leg before we go there." Flora sighed but then grinned seeing Emily running towards her. Both girls collided into a hug and Flora ran off with Emily.

"Oh, hurt your leg, have you?" Slowing down to walk at the side of Caroline, she laughed.

"Yes, it was very painful, but it seemed to go away after we left, it was so strange."

"That's a coincidence." Both of them laughed, Gillian couldn't help imaging the blonde trying to get around an inflatable park.

"I just can't stand those places, they're not really my thing, I preferred the museum and art gallery we went to."

"I'll have to come with you next time and show you how it's done." They eventually reached the patch of the field Gillian often used for fires and Caroline could see Raff just beginning to light it. Alan was sat with the baby on one bench and Ellie was sat with the girls on another.

"Hi everyone." Caroline scanned across to smile at each of them who returned a hello. Caroline put down the Parkin on the table opposite to the fire.

"Have a seat, make yourself comfortable, I'm just going to sort out the food and some drinks, won't take me long." Before Caroline could even offer to help Gillian was off running back to the house.

Caroline took a seat on the empty bench, looking over towards Flora and Emily she could hear Flora telling the older girl about how much fun she had at the inflatable place. Emily looked saddened, Caroline presumed it might not be something the family could afford to do, or at least hadn't been able to in the past, maybe they didn't have the time. This sobered Caroline somewhat, she realised they had been out every day of half term and not everyone was lucky enough to financially be able to that. "Emily, do you want to come with us next time? If it's okay with your mum." She chimed in and Emily's face lit up.

"Caroline, you don't have to do that." Ellie tried to shake it off, she felt slightly embarrassed that Caroline had clearly been able to pick up that Emily had never been and probably knew the reason why.

"I'd like to Ellie, you have all been so welcoming to me and Flora, I was going to ask if Emily wanted to come over for tea one time anyway. It's not a problem." She smiled at Ellie reassuringly.

"Yay! Yes, please Caroline." Emily squealed and high fived Flora. "Can we go tomorrow?"

"You have school tomorrow; I'll arrange a day with your mum." She realised after she said it that she didn't even have Ellie's number and all of her interactions had been through Gillian. Mentally, she made a note to ask for Ellie's number and sort out a day where she could take the girls out.

Between their conversation Gillian had been backwards and forwards to the house with the help of Raff who had managed to get the fire started and, on a table nearby sat a pot of chilli, baked potatoes in foil, another juice punch and the hot water urn they used for the pumpkin patch.

"Grubs up, help yourselves." Gillian plonked herself down next to Caroline in the empty space and huffed, she hadn't chance to sit down all day.

Alan carefully placed the now sleeping baby into a pushchair near to the table and away from the fire before getting something to eat alongside Ellie and Raff. "Caroline, I'll sort Flora's out while I'm doing Emily's." Ellie picked up two bowls and turned to the girls to ask what they wanted.

"Been a long day?"

"Yeah, just a bit, been a long year if I'm truthfully honest. I know I've got the farm to sort but I'm looking forward to a break over Christmas. Everything seems to calm down a bit."

"You've had a really busy time of it and then you do all of this for your family, it's a lot. You need someone to take care of you." Caroline and Gillian looked at each other as they were talking, both of them not wanting to break their eye contact.

"Why? You offering?" She chewed on her bottom lip, even if she was exhausted, she wasn't going to pass up an opportunity to flirt with the blonde.

"Let me go grab us something to eat, you stay there and rest." She put her hand on the brunette's leg to stand up, rather than brushing off her flirting like she had been doing, after deciding earlier in the week she needed to up her game.

Finally.

It was only a brief touch on her knee, but Gillian would take that as opposed to the brush off she had been getting so far.


Caroline had been the one to clear up after they had eaten. Gillian took it as an opportunity to watch her, she seemed to fit in so well with her little family unit and Flora was one of the politest children she had ever met, Gillian hoped she would rub off on Calamity who could quite frankly be a little shit when she wanted to be and had the sarcasm of a teenager.

The three of them sat on the bench opposite and she watched as Caroline interacted with the girls, so gentle, so patient and respectful of listening to them. Gillian was completely blown away by her, by her own admission if the girls had been asking as many questions as they had been of Caroline right now, she'd be on the verge of telling them to piss off. Not Caroline though, she answered their questions with intelligence, although without belittling them.

It shocked her that Calamity had sat for so long listening intently to the blonde, she did worry that she would be the kid in class who didn't listen. There had been conversations already about her concentration, but Gillian knew that the classroom wasn't where every child thrived. It was clear to see sat there, she was drawn to Caroline, and it was probably because she allowed her to ask questions she wanted, no matter how farfetched they might seem and gave her a sensible answer.

Once Emily had finished with her questions, or so Gillian thought she had jumped down from the bench to retrieve the marshmallows and skewers from the table. "Caroline, can I have a marshmallow please?" She dropped the bag and skewers next to Caroline.

Please! I never get a please. Who's she trying to impress.

Gillian rolled her eyes; she couldn't believe how Calamity could switch her attitude when she needed to.

"Of course you can." Caroline opened the bag and held a skewer for Emily to put the marshmallow on herself.

"Can I have one please mummy?" Flora piped up, not wanting to be left out and so Caroline done what she had done for Emily. All three of them stood by the fire and Caroline crouched down, in each hand she took hold of the girls to help them and ensure they didn't burn themselves.

Gillian couldn't pull her eyes from continuing to watch her and the girls, it warmed her heart seeing the three of them. Gillian felt like Caroline was way out of her league, she was intelligent, an intellectual which she had to be being a head teacher and not to mention drop dead gorgeous, which she had happened to slip in a few times. She sighed, thinking that Caroline wouldn't be interested in her. Making one bad decision after the other throughout her life, always being told to try harder and she wasn't poor, but she wasn't well off either like she knew Caroline was. Although now, in this moment, the simplicity of watching her toasting marshmallows on the fire with her granddaughter, all of that slipped away.

"You like her don't you." Gillian hadn't even realised Raff had taken up residence next to her.

"How long have you been sat there?" She was jilted from her thoughts and her attention on Caroline.

"Long enough." He laughed.

"I was just watching in case they burned themselves." Gillian didn't want to admit it to her son, her doubts taking an overwhelming presence in her mind, she didn't want to get her hopes up if nothing ever ended up happening.

"Right, yeah, of course you were." He paused. "Life is short mum, Caroline is great. She's smart, kind, caring, you deserve someone nice in your life."

"What? You wouldn't mind if I was with another woman?" Gillian had raised Raff to be inclusive to all, but she had never openly talked about her sexuality to him. He had only ever known her be with men, she wasn't sure how he might react if ever she did end up being with a woman.

"No. We live in the modern world mum, if you find someone to love and who makes you happy, it doesn't matter to me." He kissed her cheek before leaving to go inside and sort out a bottle for the baby.

By now the girls were sat eating their marshmallows and Caroline was making her way back over to Gillian. She stopped in front of her. "As your server for this evening madam can I offer you a cup of tea and a slice of cake that you asked me to bake?"

Gillian laughed, looking up as she towered above her. "Why yes, that would be lovely." She tried to put on somewhat of a posh voice to mimic Caroline.

"Coming right up." Caroline nodded her head before disappearing to make them both a tea and grab a slice of cake each.

Upon arriving back at the bench, Gillian had grabbed a blanket that was currently wrapped over her. "Do you want to share?" She pulled the blanket back so Caroline could sit down.

"There you are, isn't this cosy." Caroline handed the drink and cake over to Gillian before covering herself with the blanket. They both sat pleasantly in the silence watching the fire crackle and hearing, but not really listening to conversations happening nearby.

"Thanks for your help tonight and being so attentive to me, it's been nice just sitting here waited on hand and foot."

"You're welcome, thank you for inviting us. Emily's an inquisitive child isn't she." Caroline recalled her earlier conversations with the young girl.

"She's a handful alright, she thinks she knows it all."

"It's good, she's got confidence; she won't learn if she doesn't ask questions. Have there been concerns over her concentration at school?"

"Y-y-yes, how did, how did you know?" Gillian was puzzled, she hadn't told Caroline that. She began feeling slightly annoyed, wondering whether Caroline had been talking to her teacher mates about Calamity. Gillian did quickly remind herself though that Caroline worked at a different school and the chances she knew anyone at the girl's school to find that information out was slim.

Caroline could pick up on the created tension and she knew she had to diffuse the situation, promptly. "In my experience, I have come to find that children who are expressive and intuitive in their own environment are suppressed in the classroom. There are 20 plus other children all fighting for the teacher's attention which can be difficult. When children don't feel like they are being heard their concentration dwindles because they think 'why should I listen to you when you don't listen to me.' It's a constant struggle of balance, but I'd like to hope the teacher makes time for all students individually to listen, reassure them, try to explain to them that they can't always give their undivided attention to them in a full class." Caroline tried to be calm in her explanation. "I do sometimes have doubts myself about that school." She had been thinking of getting a private tutor for Flora. Now back working in a public school she knew the pressures teachers were facing on a daily basis, how many children they had to teach and trying to juggle all of their limitations and expectations.

"I don't think her teacher has done that; it feels like a cop out most of the time. I know they are under a lot of pressure, but I want her to be the same in the classroom as she is at home, maybe with not as much attitude but she's there to learn and I am worried that she's not." Gillian sighed, the tension in her body went away.

"Children absorb more than you think Gillian, even when you think they're not listening. I think she is absolutely fine, she's very bright, just keep doing what you're doing, let her be free thinking and encourage her to ask questions if she wants to learn about something at home."

In that moment with that short statement Caroline had actually taken away some anxieties Gillian had about Calamity being at school. Clearly, she was a good teacher and knew what she was talking about and to have her confirm that there was nothing to worry about was a relief.

"I can't answer them like you do, I'm not smart like you and I don't have the patience."

"You are intelligent Gillian, we all are, just in different ways. I am very academic, but practically I struggle. I have got better over the years. I wouldn't have been able to pull off what you did with the patch, and I bet you do most of your own repairs here. I could read the instructions, but I'd struggle to actually do it. Something that could take you five minutes would probably take me five hours. Don't put yourself down. You should be proud of yourself." Caroline had turned to Gillian by this point, she wanted her to know that she meant what she said.

Every-time the woman spoke it felt like she was giving out a hug, she didn't make Gillian feel stupid, she made her feel a sense of empowerment. No one had ever spoken about what she could do in a positive light. After she failed in school and had no education behind her she felt tarnished. She'd let her mum and dad down, let herself down, she felt she would never be clever enough to make something of herself and always just settled for what she had, thinking it was all she deserved. Eddie made her feel that way too, he used to belittle her, knocked any ounce of confidence she did have straight out of her.

A single tear escaped Gillian, she wasn't one to get emotional usually, but Caroline had struck a nerve with her, telling her not to put herself down as she had done throughout her whole life.

Caroline realised quite quickly Gillian had probably never been told she was clever or to be proud of herself, too many people quick to judge someone if they don't have an education behind them. Despite Caroline being a headteacher and being an advocate for education, she knew every child wasn't going to leave and become a professor, or find the next cure, there had to be a balance in order for society to operate and everyone was important in playing their part.

She wiped the tear away from her face and left her hand lingering, cupping her cheek. "If you don't know the answer you can call me, and I'll try to answer and if I don't know then we'll consult the internet. Every day is a chance to learn something new."

Gillian smiled at her, enjoying the feel of the blonde's warm hand on her face. "And if you ever need a tyre changing just call me." She laughed, trying to take the seriousness out of the conversation as Caroline's hand slipped away from her face.

"There you go, together we can take on the world." She laughed before turning back to look at the fire, seeing Flora walk over towards them she had forgotten where she was just in that moment.

"Mummy, can I sit with you."

"Of course, you can honey, in you get." Caroline shuffled closer to Gillian, so their arms were touching, and Flora snuggled into her side under the blanket.

All was still and quiet around the fire before Alan began to sing softly. All of them sat round and smiled, listening to him his rendition of 'Love Me Tender.'

"He used to sing this to my mum." Gillian whispered softly to Caroline, she wasn't upset, she loved to hear him sing the songs he used to sing to her. It reminded of her of being a young girl, watching them dance in the living room, so in love with each other.

Out of comfort Caroline reached for Gillian's hand underneath the blanket and she interlaced her fingers between the brunette's. When she didn't appear to pull her hand away, Caroline gently rubbed her thumb along the soft skin of the other woman's thumb.

Gillian couldn't believe she was sat holding the blonde's hand, she almost felt as if they shouldn't be doing it, hiding under the blanket but it felt like they had made a breakthrough. She had to hold herself back from grinning like a Cheshire Cat. It was overwhelming for her that she had met Caroline in the first place and now on their third meeting her hand was being held and her skin was being stroked in the most delicate way. It might have been out of comfort for what she had said about her mum, but either way she was thrilled.

Her dad was mid-way through his third song, and she felt a heaviness on her shoulder. She turned to see Caroline was leant on her, looking around Ellie, Calamity and Flora had all nodded off with Caroline about to join them. She caught Raff's eye who gestured for Gillian to put her arm around Caroline. Holding hands was one thing, she wasn't sure if she would be thrilled about cuddling into her.

Sod it.

Gillian lifted her arm up and wrapped it around Caroline who only shuffled in closer, her hand ending up resting on the blonde's waist. Looking across the fire again to Raff he made an 'o' shape with his thumb and index finger which he held up at his mother in approval, beaming from ear to ear.

She was content sat there listening to her dad, her family surrounding her and the gorgeous woman she and a crush on cuddled into her, finally she felt as though her life was turning right side up. Whilst she knew they had only known each other for a week, something felt good between the two of them.


Gillian had been the only one to stay awake despite being completely exhausted, she didn't want the night to end, but the fire had started to go out and she knew they would have to go inside before it got too cold.

"Caroline…" quietly she whispered, to which she got no response and so she squeezed her hand that she had still kept in her grasp.

"Caroline…" she rubbed her arm with her hand in the hope of waking her up.

Slowly, the blonde opened her eyes, not even realising she dozed off. It took her a moment for her eyes to adjust and she noticed she was cuddled into the brunette. Noting that Flora was asleep on her hip she didn't want to startle her, so she sat still.

"I'm sorry, did I fall asleep on you." Her voice slightly hoarse.

"It's okay, you looked comfortable, I didn't want to disturb you." Gillian wasn't going to admit she had sat still for the whole time and felt like she had seized up.

Caroline let go of Gillian's hand and skillfully moved to sit up right without waking Flora who now lay with her head on her lap.

Still feeling sleepy, Caroline yawned as she looked at Gillian, realising she had just spent perhaps the last half an hour encased in her embrace. It was comforting, she had enjoyed it, it had been a long time since she'd had that level of intimacy. They both found themselves looking at the other, scanning each other's faces before their eyes locked.

Oh boy, this is it.

Gillian leaned in first, her heart was racing, and she closed her eyes.

Oh shit, what am I doing.

Caroline could feel Gillian's face moving in closer to hers, she tilted her head, closed her eyes, knowing what was coming next. She wanted it to happen in that moment.

"Mummy, can we go home to bed?" Flora was rubbing her eyes, now sat upright on the bench.

Caroline gasped and her eyes flung open widely as she pulled away from Gillian in a flash.

"Y-y-yes, F-F-Flora, we we…" Caroline cleared her throat and composed herself so she would stop stuttering.

"We can go home now." Caroline wanted nothing more than to go home right now, she couldn't believe she was about to kiss the brunette.

A week! It's only been a week! What am I doing!?

"Gillian, thank you again so much for having us, I will text you once we get home. Enjoy the rest of your evening." Caroline pulled back the blanket from both herself and Flora and made her way towards the path before Gillian had even had chance to speak.

Gillian tutted and threw the blanket on the bench before picking up a torch from underneath it.

"Caroline you're not going to get very far if you can't see." F-f-bloody women.

Silence. Fabulous.

Gillian walked behind the two of them, shining a torch so they could navigate their way back to the car. Caroline seemed to not be able to get away fast enough, she piled Flora into the car and turned around to face Gillian, the light from the torch giving away how flustered she was.

"I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me just now."

"I'm not. I'm just sorry it didn't happen." She wanted to be furious with her for running away, but looking into her eyes, she knew this wasn't easy for Caroline, she could tell there was a nervousness. It was in that moment she decided she could wait. Didn't matter how long it would take, she knew in her heart that Caroline was worth it.

"It's just..." she scoffed. "I had…a fling, over a year after Kate died and I've never done that before in my life. She was on the rebound, I was bereaved it happened, but I didn't feel good about it afterwards. I mean it was a distraction from all that was going on in my life, but deep down I knew it wasn't going to last."

"Caroline, you don't have to explain yourself. It's okay,"

"No, I know, I just don't want you to get the wrong idea." She wanted to tell Gillian why she held herself back somewhat. "Anyway, it didn't last and afterwards I felt guilty, I felt as though if I was going to do something like that then it should have meant something, with someone I cared more about" there was a pause. "…loved."

Caroline closed the gap between them as she moved further towards Gillian. "Whatever this is, whatever it could be. I need to be sure; I need it to be slow. Can you…could you deal with that? With me?"

Gillian let out a small laugh. "Maybe we should try going out? Just the two of us? If you struggle finding someone to look after Flora, I can swing it with Raff and Ellie. Calamity wanted a sleepover anyway."

"Are you asking me out on a date?" Caroline had a sultry look in her eye, her anxieties suddenly washed away.

"If you like." This was like a new world to Gillian; she had never taken it slowly with anyone. Everything just always felt rushed. There was something about the slow approach she was beginning to enjoy, and she had never been on a proper date before. Unless she counted Gary who actually turned out to be her half-brother.

"I would." Caroline confirmed this with a peck on the brunette's cheek. Reaching her thumb up, she wiped away the lipstick mark she had left.

"Drive safe, gorgeous." Gillian opened the driver door for Caroline to get into, feeling giddy.

"I'll text you." Caroline slid into the car and Gillian closed the door after her. They waved goodbye and Caroline set off down the country lane with Gillian watching her leave once more.

I've got a date with the most gorgeous woman in the town!