Food shopping done, housework done, mother dropped off in Halifax done, Flora fed, bathed and asleep in bed all before 8pm, done. Finally, Caroline sat down on the couch with a glass of wine and decided on watching Strictly Come Dancing on catch up.

After the first two dances she wondered if Gillian had texted her the address in preparation for Tuesday. Picking up her phone she could see a notification from her with the address as promised. Opening the message, she decided to text her back to see if she wanted anything bringing over.

Caroline: Thank you, is there anything you need me to bring?

Gillian: No, just yourself and Flora, of course. Calamity hasn't stopped going on about her.

Caroline: Flora has been the same, she can't wait until Tuesday she's really excited. Thank you again for asking, I know it was put on you.

Gillian: Not at all, we're an open house really so no harm done. Calamity is always inviting the kids at school. Not that any of them come over, some of the parents are so snotty.

Caroline laughed; she could have been accused of being the same way with the boys and with Flora. She didn't have time to meet with other mums at the school to get to know them. It was slightly easier with the boys, being the headteacher she knew the parents a little more, but she also knew the boys struggled making friends because of that reason.

Caroline: I think they are probably just cautious. Parents don't stand around chatting in the playground as much anymore, everyone just seems so busy and short on time.

Gillian: Yeah, I suppose so. Thank you for coming today and supporting my pumpkin patch.

Caroline: You're welcome, I meant what I said, you've done a really good job.

Gillian too had found herself home alone, with a glass of wine, watching Strictly Come Dancing. Raff, Ellie and the kids had gone out together while her dad had gone to the pub with his best friend, Harry. Receiving the text from Caroline repeating that she had done a good job made her smile, her family had told her the same thing but hearing it from an outsider made her really believe it.

Thinking back on the day, she had Caroline on her mind from the minute she left the patch up until this moment of texting her, she wished they'd had chance to talk for longer. She did have her number now though; she could continue texting her to find out more, at least she could ignore her if she didn't want to talk.

Gillian: What are you up to on this Saturday night? Anything good?

Caroline: Not particularly. I'm sat on my sofa with a glass of wine, and I've just opened a box of chocolates watching Strictly. How about you?

Gillian laughed as it was exactly the same as her. She took a picture of the table that housed the glass of wine and box of chocolates with Strictly on the tv behind and sent it to Caroline.

Caroline: Haha, would you look at that, it's like we're the same person.

Gillian: Not much else to do on a Saturday night when you get to our age. Kids are out, my dad is out. They've a better social life than me.

Caroline: I'm the same with my mum, she's out most nights with her group whilst I sit alone at home either doing paperwork or scrolling through trying to find something to watch.

Alone at home. Gillian didn't know if it would be too forward to ask, but she was also nosey. She figured Caroline was into women after she'd checked her out that day. Twice. Taking a swig of wine for dutch courage, she typed her reply.

Gillian: Alone? So, no girlfriend to keep you company?

Caroline's eyes widened; she could tell now that Gillian didn't hold back. Caroline did prefer the direct and honest approach, but it was still something that felt new to her, that she was still getting her head around. She would never hide the fact she was a lesbian; Kate had managed to pull down those barriers and stop her from being afraid of hiding. However, after years of suppression that still had an effect on her, she didn't go around openly flaunting her sexuality. Although subtlety clearly wasn't her strongest skill, she often found herself checking out other women, most of the time no one called her out. Maybe because they weren't into her, or they simply were oblivious. Not Gillian though.

Caroline: No, unfortunately not, how about you? No girlfriend?

Gillian smiled at her phone like an idiot. Result!

Gillian: Nope, single and ready to mingle me. Only really had two proper relationships in my life, both with men.

Caroline: Ah, so you finally saw the light after those two and switched sides?

Caroline laughed, she had met a few women like herself who always knew they were a lesbian but ended up marrying men and having children as it was 'the done thing' but later on in life realising they'd never truly been happy with their partner as they weren't being true to themselves.

Gillian: Not exactly. I think as I've got older, I've realised it's more about the person, their gender doesn't come into it anymore. If I meet someone and they're a good person, it doesn't matter to me who they are.

Caroline: That's a good way to be. I was married to a man for 18 years. He cheated on me and I realised I wasn't going to live a lie anymore. Then I got married again to another woman.

Gillian: I'm sorry it didn't work out with either of them, but I'm sure you'll find someone else; you are gorgeous after all.

Gillian noticed the bottle of wine was now finished and blamed that on her making the confession.

Caroline wasn't sure how to respond, she kept trying to remind herself they had only just met that day; however, she couldn't help feeling there was a small spark between them, and it was something she wanted to explore.

Caroline: I am not sure about that.

Gillian: Of course you are, you are the most gorgeous woman I've seen walk through my gate the past few weeks. Where have you been hiding?

Caroline was sure she had gone completely red in the face, she wanted to blame the wine, but she knew it was thanks to the woman on the other end of the phone.

Caroline: Put the wine down Gillian, it's making you talk bollocks, haha.

Gillian: I only tell the truth. Although I should probably head up to bed, I've another early start on the patch tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing you Tuesday.

Caroline: Have a good day, you've still got two days left, you never know who could end up walking through your gate. ;)

Gillian: Still won't be as gorgeous as you x

Caroline felt a little giddy at Gillian's last few messages, she had essentially called her gorgeous three times, she wanted to believe Gillian meant it and it wasn't just the wine talking.

It had been a good few years since Caroline had been involved with anyone, she didn't want to get ahead of herself, given there had only been a few flirty text messages exchanged.

Before heading to bed Caroline browsed on the pumpkin patch social media pages once more, just to catch another glimpse at Gillian.

There was a new photo that had been posted, it was Gillian on her own, her hair was down and flowing, she had a little bit of makeup on, a dress and was sat outside a pub from what Caroline could tell. Caroline couldn't help lingering at the photograph, she looked so happy and glowing. It made her smile.

Captioned: Meet the last member of the team – our founder, Gillian Greenwood. None of this would have been possible without her! #pumpkinpatch #farmeroftheyear

She ended up liking the photograph, she presumed Gillian wouldn't know it was her as her profile was very discreet, she didn't use a picture or her full name, so she couldn't be identified.

Putting her phone down on the kitchen table and leaving her glass on the side of the sink she headed to bed with only one thing on her mind. Tuesday.

Tuesday felt like it had taken a lifetime to come around. Both the blonde and brunette had exchanged text messages over the couple of days since Saturday night. Caroline had woken to a text on Sunday morning of Gillian apologising for being so forward but still meaning what she had said. Caroline didn't mind, at least she knew there was mutual attraction there, not that she was willing to tell Gillian just yet.

Caroline and Flora spent the early afternoon baking pumpkin cupcakes to take to Gillian's and a pumpkin soup for their lunch. Caroline was sure by the end of the day she would be sick of the sight, smell and taste of pumpkins.

Soon enough 4pm rolled around and it was just starting to get dark. "Flora, are you ready?" Caroline shouted up to Flora who was getting ready into her witch's costumes once more. Caroline had just finished packing the car up with the cakes, some wine and a bunch of flowers.

"Yeah, I'm coming." Flora sensibly walked down the stairs, reaching the bottom where her mother was waiting with her shoes.

Grabbing their coats off the hook, Caroline passed Flora's to her before putting her own on.

"We'll see you later mum, enjoy your evening, I'll lock the door." Caroline shouted through to her mother who was sat in the living room reading the daily mail and opened the front door which she locked once Flora had stepped outside.

Caroline got into the car and popped the address in the sat nav and set off for Gillian's. "Look out for any houses with Halloween decorations Flora." Caroline gestured as they made their way to the farmhouse.

A short time later they found themselves on a road which took them to the front of the farmhouse and Caroline pulled up next to a Land Rover she presumed was Gillian's.

"Wow mummy, look at all their lights!" Flora squealed in excitement seeing an array of decorations and a projector facing that projected a witch onto the front door.

Both of them got out of the car and walked towards the door, with Flora carrying the cupcakes and Caroline carrying the flowers and the wine, she knocked on the door, feeling slightly anxious at seeing the brunette again.

Caroline always made an effort with herself, her mother had installed that into her from a young age, first impressions always count, she shouldn't leave the house without making sure her hair was pristine and as a minimum wearing lipstick.

Gillian opened the door and smiled at the two of them, she was wearing the same dress she had on in the photograph Caroline had saw on Saturday night, her hair was down and had a slight curl to it.

"You have to say the password, or you can't come in." Emily ran to the door and stuck her hands either side of the frame as if to create a barrier.

"Calamity give over, Caroline and Flora are our guests, step away from the door." Gillian laughed and gently prized Emily from the door frame.

"Come in." Gillian stepped to the side so Flora and Caroline could go through the door which she shut once they were both inside.

"We baked these today for all of us!" Flora handed Gillian the cupcakes.

"Aw thank you Flora, aren't you thoughtful." She smiled before placing them down on the kitchen counter.

"Can I show Flora my room Gran? I want her to see all the barbie dolls I have."

"Yeah course, knock yourselves out, I'll shout you when tea is ready."

Flora went to run off with Emily, but Caroline stopped her.

"Flora, remember, you have to take your shoes off." Flora ran back to Caroline with an apologetic look on her face and took her shoes and coat off at the door, handing her coat to her mother before running after Emily.

Caroline smiled at Gillian and passed over the wine and flowers. "These are for you, thank you again for having us over."

Gillian smelt the flowers; she couldn't remember the last time, if ever she had been bought flowers. "You shouldn't have." Gillian gave Caroline a peck on the cheek as her way of saying thank you and the blonde's face heated up.

"Let me take your coats and have a seat anywhere you feel comfortable, I'm just finishing up in the kitchen."

Caroline took off her coat and handed it to Gillian, she too took her shoes off and sat down at the laid table in the open plan kitchen. She looked around, the house wasn't too dissimilar to her own, a little messier perhaps and worn in places, but it felt cosy, homely even.

"Can I get you a glass of wine?" Gillian asked as she started pottering around the kitchen.

"Just a small one, I am driving." Caroline twiddled with her fingers, not really knowing what to do with her hands.

Gillian poured them both a glass of wine and sat down opposite to Caroline, as she slid the glass across the table her hand brushed past Caroline's ever so slightly, but enough to make contact, purposely.

Caroline felt herself go fuzzy inside and instantly had goosebumps run from her hand through her arm. She attempted to make eye contact with Gillian as she thanked her, but she could barely look at the brunette. In her mind she was replaying the text messages they had exchanged over the last few days, she had wondered if Gillian's would be as flirtatious once they were together and this just confirmed it.

Both of them sat talking about what they had been up to since Saturday, Gillian explaining she had spent most of the day clearing away at the patch and delivering the left-over pumpkins to farms nearby for their animals to eat. Caroline had taken Flora to a halloween hunt in a village nearby in the morning before baking the goods they had brought over.

"It must be hard, running around after a 5-year-old." Gillian was at the stove; she had settled on cooking up pasta and bolognese but with a twist. Green tagliatelle, mozzarella balls for eyes and a twisted garlic tear and share bread in the shape of a skeleton. On a side table in the kitchen, she had also laid out a selection of party food, all Halloween themed with a red juice punch at the end.

"It is exhausting at times, having Flora turned my world completely upside down, but I wouldn't change it."

"So, I presume Flora is your ex-wife's daughter too? Is she not in the picture to help out?"

"No. Her name was Kate. She was the one who wanted a baby initially, she had tried and failed multiple times before, but wanted to try one last time. Unfortunately, she was involved in an accident, they managed to save Flora but not Kate, so she never had the chance of being a mother." Caroline didn't talk about what happened with Kate very often, not because she didn't want to, but she would never be the first person to bring it up. Despite that, she always told Flora about her other mum, would get her to look out at the stars and find the brightest one, told her that would be her mummy Kate watching down on her. Before she went to sleep, they always blew a kiss goodnight up to Kate. Caroline hoped she was doing enough to keep Kate's memory alive for Flora, she never wanted Kate to be forgotten.

"Caroline that must have been awful, having to go through all of that on your own." Gillian was sat back at the table as she wanted to give Caroline her full attention as she shared her story.

"You've done an amazing job with Flora, she's a lovely kid. You should be proud of yourself." Gillian smiled and squeezed Caroline's hand that was on the table. Both women looked at each other. Gillian could see pain in Caroline's eyes, she knew Caroline probably hadn't grieved properly, how could she have with a newborn to look after and a school to run.

Gillian continued to hold her hand and Caroline didn't pull away as they continued looking at each other in a knowing silence. Gillian heard the door opening and pulled her hand away to see her family coming through the door.

Caroline sighed, already missing the touch of the brunette's hand, but quickly she shook herself from her thoughts and stood up to say hello to the other members of Gillian's family.

Dinner was a success, only clear plates in sight. They'd made informal chit chat and asked questions around the table; Caroline was impressed to find that Raff was training to be a teacher and had offered him her help if he ever needed it.

"Who wants to do apple bobbing?" Raff only got an excited response from the girls who both put their hands up like they were in class, both stretching their arms up to be higher than the other.

"Mummy can I? I've never done apple bobbing before!" Flora exclaimed, only this time she was right, it wasn't an activity Caroline particularly enjoyed so she had never done it with Flora.

"Yes, but just be careful, remember to let yourself come up for air."

"Come on then girls." Raff stood up along with Ellie and they made their way out of the farmhouse with the two girls around to the side of the farm so as not to end up with water all over the kitchen floor.

"I'll go and supervise." Alan was the first one to walk in earlier that evening and had sensed they were talking about something sensitive. That and he had been watching them throughout dinner, noting the looks across the room they were giving to each other, he wanted to give them a little privacy.

"I'll help you clear up." Caroline picked up hers and Flora's plate to put on the kitchen side before clearing the rest of the plates and dishes from the table, she had a stack in her hand as she turned to the kitchen side.

"Sit down, you're my guest, guests don't do the washing up."

"Gillian, it's the least I can do after you have cooked for us." Caroline smiled as Gillian touched both of her hands again to retrieve the plates.

"If you want to be helpful you can give Wild Bill his bottle, he's due a feed." Sticking with the theme, Gillian had decided to nickname Raff and Ellie's new addition as Calamity Jane's sidekick.

Gillian took the plates from Caroline and handed her the bottle she had prepared a few moments beforehand.

Making her way back over to the table, the baby was strapped in a car seat on a chair next to where Ellie was sat. Carefully she unclipped him and lifted him out, he looked to be a content baby, his bright blue eyes stared at Caroline, and he gave her a toothless smile.

Sitting back down on the chair she gave the baby his bottle which he started drinking immediately. She rocked him on her knee, winded him when needed and found herself humming a nursery rhyme quietly. It hadn't been all that long since Flora was this small and in her arms, at least it hadn't felt that way.

Seeing he was almost done with the bottle; she softly ran her index finger up and down the bridge of his nose, she found this managed to send all of her children off to sleep, she still did it to Flora on occasion.

Gillian had managed to do most of the washing up and clear the kitchen, she decided she could put everything away in the morning, she didn't want to miss out on the opportunity of being alone with Caroline. As she turned around, she walked behind the blonde and leant over her shoulder to see her grandson fast asleep and Caroline gently stroking his head.

"You're a natural, can you stop by for every feed." Gillian whispered into the ear next to her mouth.

Feeling the brunette's breath on her ear nearly made Caroline jump, but she remained calm for fear of waking up the baby.

"Advantage of having three children, I've had a lot of practice." Their faces were now inches apart as Caroline had turned her head slightly towards Gillan's direction.

Gillian stood up, for fear if she stayed there any longer, she might have tried to kiss her. After this evening she had grown even fonder of the blonde, she could tell she was kind and caring. Watching her at the dinner table she was interested in listening to everyone, even when Gillian had gone off in a world of her own. Her dad was talking for the hundredth time about buying a narrow boat with Harry, not that his friend had a great track record with them. Caroline though, she didn't seem to get bored she asked questions and offered useful advice.

Why would someone so intelligent be interested in me.

"I'll put him down in the living room and make us some tea." Gillian took the baby out of Caroline's arms. "They'll be out there a bit longer I think Raff bought some other Halloween activities for them." She smiled as she walked off into the living room to put the baby down in the cot.

Caroline sat for a moment, trying to gather her thoughts after Gillian had been so close to her…so close to her lips. She couldn't believe how much she seemed to get on with Gillian's family, usually it took her a while to warm to people but for some reason she felt comfortable around them and in this environment. Maybe it was the family unit they had created here, the sense of welcoming people in with open arms and a slight carelessness that Caroline found endearing. She knew she was loved by her parents, but they found it hard to show affection towards her. Growing older she realised it was probably the lack of love they had between them. Being an only child, she spent a lot of time alone and with her own thoughts, her dad always working and her mother just wanting her to concentrate on her education left not much room for fun.

"Here you are." Gillian popped a cup of tea down on the table in front of Caroline who hadn't even noticed Gillian had re-entered the room.

"So, you've three children?"

"Yes, I have William who lives in London and works in publishing and Lawrence who lives with his dad and millionaire girlfriend." Caroline was saddened when Lawrence decided to move in with him, but he was his father's son and didn't have any interest in her advice nor could he see she was pushing him to try and do his best.

"He thinks I'm boring and his dad is the fun one. I've tried talking to John but he's useless. He just enables him to do whatever he wants, last William told me he was doing some stupid pranks or something on YouTube." Caroline rolled her eyes, she had wanted him to follow in William's footsteps to some degree, get himself an education but she had come to let go of that dream and as long as he was happy that's all that mattered.

"One day he might get bored and focus on a career, who knows. He won't come and stay with me because I won't let him sponge off me like they do."

Gillian chuckled, Lawrence sounded similar to her when she was younger, rebellious and couldn't give a flying toss.

"Kids eh, can't do right for doing wrong."

"Raff is doing well, despite becoming a parent so young, most children drop out of school. In-fact most of the boys don't hang around, it's usually the mother left standing with the baby."

"No, Raff wouldn't have done that, I've always told him it takes two to tango. It's both of their responsibility. I did force the two of them to go back to school, it was difficult, I felt like I'd become a parent all over again. Ellie eventually dropped out, but they're doing well for themselves. They're staying here until they've raised enough for a deposit on their own place, I don't think they're too far off now." She sighed, she had gotten so used to them being around, she couldn't imagine being in the farmhouse with just her and her dad.

"You'll miss them." Caroline sipped her tea as she studied the other woman, she could see the disappointed look on her face as she talked about the prospect of them moving out.

"Yeah, but you know, they have their own life to live, they don't want to be stuck with me. Do you miss your boys?"

"Yeah…I do. Their arguing used to drive me up the wall, but to be perfectly honest I wouldn't have the room for them all now since I've downsized. There's such an age gap between the boys and Flora too, she adores them, but I do worry she hasn't got a sibling close to her age to grow up with like they did."

"Well, me and Raff are only children, we turned out okay."

"I'm an only child too."

"There you go then, she'll be absolutely fine, she has you as her mother."

Caroline couldn't help smiling, it comforted her somewhat that the other woman was essentially saying she was enough for Flora, despite her own anxieties surrounding the issue.

"Plus, she's got our Calamity and you two are more than welcome around here any time you like. Having Flora here has saved me having my head shoved in a bucket of water tonight by her, she's forgotten I exist, so thank you." Gillian loved her granddaughter but more often than not she found herself giving in to doing whatever she wanted and sometimes she just wanted a break.

Caroline could just envision Gillian being covered in water and not being best pleased about it, she couldn't help but laugh.

"I mean it, could do with some eye candy around the place." Gillian winked. Caroline flustered. She couldn't even respond as the kids came marching through the door.

"Oh, no Flora, you're soaked, I didn't even think to bring any spare clothes." Caroline looked down, she looked as though she'd gone for a bath in the bucket.

Idiot. I always bring spares of everything.

"Don't worry, I'm sure Calamity has something she can put on. Come on upstairs." Gillian gestured for Caroline and Flora to follow.

"I'm sorry mummy." Flora sucked her index finger again like she did when she thought she might be in trouble or was nervous.

"It's okay honey, did you enjoy it? How many apples did you manage to get?" Caroline was knelt in Emily's room drying Flora with a towel and putting on some pyjamas Gillian had found in the draw.

"I got 2." She held up two fingers, only she had put them up the wrong way around which made it look as though she was swearing at Caroline. Quickly she turned her hand around, so her palm was facing her.

Gillian looked across from Emily's bed that she was sat on, brushing Emily's hair and sniggered quietly.

"And Emily got 3." She held up three fingers on the other hand.

"And together we got 5!" Flora was evidently proud of both her adding up skills and their achievements.

"That's right Flora. 2 and 3 makes 5. Well done." Caroline pulled down the pyjama top and stood upright.

Flora yawned, clearly the activities that evening had taken it out of her, and it was pushing her bedtime.

"Gran, can Flora have a sleepover? She can stay in my bed with me, pleaseeee?" Emily pleaded with Gillian who didn't want to be put in the position of saying no.

"Not tonight, Calamity, you've got a hairdresser appointment in the morning."

Emily sulked. "What about another day soon? We are best friends."

"We'll see, okay." Emily wasn't best pleased, usually when her Gran said we'll see it never happened.

"Gillian we're going to head off, I think this munchkin is ready for bed." Flora was rubbing her eyes and yawning. Luckily for Caroline, Flora never put up a fight when she was tired, she just gave in.

"Right, yeah, I'll see you out. You get your teeth brushed and get into bed Calamity; your mum will be up to read you a bedtime story soon." Gillian kissed the top of Emily's head as she got off the bed and walked around the blonde to go downstairs.

"Night Emily, we'll see you soon." Caroline picked Flora up who put her head on her mother's shoulder and waved goodbye to Emily as they made their way downstairs. Flora was almost asleep by the time they reached the bottom.

"I'll just pop her in the car, and I'll come back to grab my things." Caroline took the keys out of her pocket and walked over to the door Gillian held open for her, not before slipping on her shoes. Stepping outside, Gillian followed and held open the car door Caroline had unlocked. Carefully, she strapped Flora in who was now soundly asleep and closed the door quietly.

"She went out in a flash, how do you do it? First with Wild Bill, now with Flora. You don't fancy lying next to me in bed to try and help me sleep, do you?" Gillian laughed as they stepped back into the farmhouse, but Caroline had turned bright red.

Gillian could tell she was into her, if she wasn't she would have just laughed it off, but instead she was embarrassed, meaning she was thinking about them in bed together.

Caroline quickly gathered hers and Flora's things, she poked her head into the living room to thank Raff, Ellie and Alan who were sat watching tv and waved them a goodbye.

Once more, she stepped outside of the house turning to say her goodbyes to Gillian behind her, and the door closed.

"I just thought you should know that you're still the number one most gorgeous woman to have stepped through the gates, despite the additional two days."

"I think you need to go and see someone about your eyesight, I'm sure there's been hundreds of gorgeous women step through the gate over the last few weeks." Caroline looked to the floor, suddenly feeling somewhat nervous.

Gillian stepped forward to close the gap and lifted Caroline's face up to her own. She stood and studied her face, gorgeous wide blue eyes with thick long eyelashes that Gillian could quiet easily get lost looking into. Gillian had a thing for eyes, ever since someone once told her if you fall in love with someone's eyes then you fall in love with them forever because they don't age. Perky cheeks that lifted when she smiled. Soft and plump lips and a small dimple on her chin which she found her thumb run along.

"I can see you clearly from this view and I'm still saying that you are gorgeous."

Gillian let her hand fall away from Caroline's face and stepped backward, she could see the effect she'd had on Caroline, seeing her breathing had increased and she looked lost for words.

Eventually, Caroline cleared her throat and managed to take a breath. "Thank you for tonight. I'll return Flora's pyjamas to you before the end of half term." Caroline smiled nervously; she was all in a fluster having had Gillian's eyes wondering across her face and her soft thumb run across her chin.

"Don't worry about those, they don't fit her anymore. I meant what I said Caroline, you're always welcome." Gillian stood at the door and waved Caroline off into her car. She carried on standing there until she could no longer see the car lights in the distance down the road as the blonde drove away.

In that moment, standing so closely to Caroline she wanted to kiss her, she wanted her so badly, but rushing into things hadn't got Gillian anywhere in the past. She promised herself this year she would make a conscious effort not to just jump straight into bed someone. So far, she had managed not to do that and having to concentrate on the patch had helped.

Now, meeting Caroline she felt like she was in a better place and if anything were to happen between them, she wanted to take it slow, would even enjoy the chase perhaps. She could already tell Caroline was the type of person who would want a relationship to having meaning too.

Now, all I have to do is come up with an excuse to see her again.

Gillian wondered back inside the house and thought about what she could do to get both of them in the same room again. One advantage they did have was having the girls who got on like a house on fire.