Chapter 11
With a flush of embarrassment, Caroline hastily grabbed from the floor beside the bed her jeans, shirt and bra that she had not so long ago discarded and hurriedly struggled back into them. Once she was fully-clothed she leant over to give Kate a quick kiss but the tender touch of those lips seduced her into lingering that bit longer until Kate eventually had to draw away and remind her.
"Caroline….your mother."
"Oh…right…yes."
Caroline reluctantly relinquished the kiss and was soon out the bedroom door. She headed downstairs with a degree of foreboding about the reception her news would receive. Although she knew her mother loved her and had shown herself to be kind and supportive over the years, there were some things that Celia had steadfastly retained a narrow-minded, unenlightened attitude towards.
Back when Caroline had begun her course at Oxford University and had first broached the subject of being gay with her mother, Celia's reaction had been less than encouraging. She was desperately hoping that in the intervening decades her mother had moved forward with the rest of the country but she had an ominous sense that this was not going to be the case. Maybe she was being too pessimistic.
As Caroline dashed down the stairs she all but crashed into her son, Lawrence, who was moving at speed up the stairs towards his bedroom.
Once they had both recovered their balance and composure from the sudden collision, Caroline asked, "Where's your gran?"
"Kitchen," he replied as he stepped around her and continued on his way still very much in a hurry.
Caroline found her mother and Alan in the kitchen as Lawrence had said. The couple were seated on the stools talking in rather secretive whispers and both looked a little agitated but they soon smoothed their expressions as they saw Caroline approaching.
Despite the fact that it had been only a short time ago that she had been in her bedroom, almost naked, and had her mouth lovingly ensconced between Kate's thighs bringing her partner to a euphoric climax, Caroline entered the kitchen a picture of poise.
"Hi Mum…Alan. How are you? Would you like some tea? I'll put the kettle on."
"Thanks, love," Alan replied followed by Celia who asked, "How did you get on with your emergency?"
"Fine….fine…it's all good but I need to talk to you…." Caroline beIgan, trying to keep her tone light.
She paused to fill the kettle with water and to consider her words but before she was able to continue with the conversation they were interrupted by a ravenous Lawrence who burst into the kitchen and towards the fridge in search of food.
While her grandson stood in front of the open refrigerator inspecting its contents, Celia nodded towards him and spoke in a hushed voice, "He said something droll the other evening did Lawrence."
"Did he?" Caroline replied, suspecting she knew already what was to come and bracing herself for it.
"He said you'd gone to London to bring someone home…a Kate…and that you and her are 'seeing' each other….that she is your 'partner', " Celia divulged, still with a tone of disbelief like it could only be foolish nonsense.
Caroline could feel the redness creeping up her neck.
"That would be true," Caroline bravely put forward, "we are seeing each other, Kate and I….and she is my partner."
Celia's expression was as though her face had been slapped and slapped firmly with a wet fish.
From his stool Alan looked on, fearful of an impending confrontation and a little aghast at his wife's reaction to the confirmation.
Lawrence, who was standing opposite Caroline at the kitchen island concentrating on putting together a heavily-laden sandwich and only half listening, suddenly caught on to what was being discussed and realised that he had inadvertently spoken out of turn and dumped his mother in it.
Catching her eye momentarily, he mouthed a 'sorry' to which she silently replied, "It's fine."
His sandwich made, Lawrence guiltily slunk out of the room leaving the adults to their conversation.
With Lawrence out of earshot, Celia continued.
"You mean….you and her…you know…?"
Celia was having difficulty finding words she was comfortable with.
"Yes, mum…..she's the person I sleep with….the woman I have sex with," Caroline spelled out for her.
"But why all of a sudden…?" Celia spluttered, unable to comprehend her daughter's change of heart.
"It's not all of a sudden," Caroline answered, frustration tainting her voice, "I talked to you about it when I was 19…my first year at Oxford…you probably don't remember…I'm gay, Mum, and I think I always have been and there's no point denying it any longer."
Alan gave Celia a knowing glance which she chose to ignore.
"But what about John? You've been married to that nitwit for twenty years!"
"Mum, please try and understand," Caroline implored, "I think John was my naïve and rather foolish attempt to conform to the rules of the day…I didn't know any better then but I do now…anyway, it doesn't matter….this is what I want….I love Kate and she makes me happy, happier than I've been in years so I'm not about to change….I'm sorry if you don't approve…."
"What about the boys?" Celia tossed at her daughter accusingly as if it were all some form of abuse.
"They'll be fine…I've already explained to Lawrence and he loves the idea….well, he loves the idea that Kate's a private investigator and it doesn't seem to matter to him that my partner is a woman and that his mother is…gay."
"A private investigator?" Celia queried.
"Mmmm…I met her when I suspected John was having an affair…I hired her to investigate and well, one thing led to another….Her name is Kate, Kate McKenzie…"
"Is she Scottish?" Celia interrupted.
"No she's Nigerian."
Celia gave Caroline a questioning look.
"Her mother is Nigerian and her father is English," Caroline explained although she was unsure why she needed to do so. "She's kind…she's clever…she's interesting…and she loves me. When she is feeling better I'd like you to meet her."
Despite Alan's smile and nod of encouragement Celia's mind was already made up in the negative.
"No…I don't think we do…want to meet her... Come on, Alan, I think we'll be off."
Without another word, Celia tossed her handbag onto her forearm and marched out of the kitchen towards the front door stopping only long enough to retrieve her coat from the stand in the hallway before making her way to the car.
Before Alan followed, he approached Caroline and gently took her hand in his.
"I'm sorry, love," he apologized kindly, embarrassed by Celia's unyielding stance on the matter. "I'll talk to her and see what I can do."
"It's alright….really...it'll be….."
Caroline's voice trailed off. She wasn't at all sure how it would be.
"Right…Bye."
Alan gave her a final weak smile before turning to catch up with his wife.
"Bye-bye."
Caroline saw him to the door where she spied her mother waiting in the driver's seat of the Lexus. With a final word of farewell to Alan she watched them depart then returned to the kitchen where, as she stood at the corner of the bench, rivalling feelings of anger, frustration and bitter disappointment overwhelmed her. She wasn't sure why it mattered what her mother thought, all she knew was that it did. She wanted Celia to be happy for her rather than ashamed of her and what she was. She never enjoyed feelings of acrimony with her mother as they usually stood together and supported each other in times of trouble. However, Caroline thought to herself, this time round, Celia could play hardball as much as she liked but she was no longer going to deny who she was….never again.
While Caroline had been dealing with her mother, Kate had showered and dressed and, on hearing the car depart, she had ventured downstairs to see how Caroline had faired. Her hopes fell as she peered into the kitchen and saw Caroline's rather forlorn figure standing by the bench with her head hanging pensively as she waited for the kettle to re-boil.
Kate sidled up quietly beside her and ran a comforting hand across the woman's back and shoulders and placed a gentle kiss on her temple.
"It didn't go well?" Kate asked.
"No worse than I expected but I had dared to hope that perhaps she'd changed her views over time which it seems she hasn't," Caroline finally replied, sadness obviously weighing her down.
Steam began to rise up from the kettle as it switched itself off. Caroline automatically poured the boiling water into the awaiting teapot as Kate lifted down two mugs from an overhead cupboard.
As they waited for the tea to steep, Kate asked, "Are you alright?'
Caroline nodded and gave her an unconvincing smile.
Wanting to lift the woman's spirits, Kate replied, "She'll come around…she just needs some time to get used to the idea, that's all….you'll see."
"It's very obvious that you don't know my mother," Caroline warned with a cynical smile, "she can be stubborn, opinionated….and is very fond of calling a spade a shovel on occasion….she can be very hard core when she wants to be."
The rather dubious picture that Caroline painted of Celia had Kate wondering what she'd let herself in for.
"But it doesn't matter," Caroline continued more cheerfully and with a dash of her own stubbornness, "she's going to have to accept who I am just as I have because I'm not going to hide it anymore…I'm too old to pretend and if she doesn't like it…well, that's too bad….she can ….fuck off."
The vehemence of Caroline's last words startled both women but then, as they looked at each other in their surprise, they both began laughing at the absurdity of the situation. Caroline wasn't a teenager, she was old enough to do as she pleased. She no longer needed her mother's permission or approval.
"What's so funny?" a voice asked from the entranceway.
Both women turned at the sound to see Lawrence returning his plate, empty bar a few crumbs, to the kitchen.
"Nothing," Caroline replied and then added as her son headed in the direction of the fridge once again, "and no more food…you'll spoil your dinner."
Lawrence rolled his eyes at her nagging and then smiled broadly at the woman standing beside his mother who he had just figured out was probably Kate.
Noting his focus, Caroline introduced them.
"Lawrence, I'd like you to meet Kate."
Lawrence continued to beam his 100 watt smile, excited to be actually meeting a real live private investigator although he had to admit that she wasn't quite what he had been expecting.
"Kate, this is my younger son, Lawrence."
"Hello, Lawrence," Kate responded warmly as she reached out to shake his hand.
"Are you really a private investigator?" he asked immediately, unable to restrain his curiosity.
"Yes, I am."
"Cool…Do you carry a gun?"
"I haven't got one on me at the moment," Kate replied, just managing to keep the urge to laugh under control, "but I keep an Uzi under the front seat of my car for emergencies."
Both Lawrence's and Caroline's eyebrows shot up dramatically at this news….Lawrence's because he was super impressed and Caroline's because of what she knew to be Kate's blatant lie. She flashed her partner a look of surprise which Kate answered with a quick wink.
"And is that what happened on your last case….the missing girl?" Lawrence queried touching his own head to indicate the wound he could see on Kate's head.
"This?" Kate said gingerly fingering the still painful lump, "No, this I got at a croquet match….those old ladies with their mallets get mean when they lose."
The look of doubt on Lawrence's face told them that he was unsure if he believed her or not.
"Stop teasing the boy," Caroline demanded but with a laugh to her voice before becoming more serious as she explained to him that yes, Kate did receive the wound during her investigation and no, it wasn't cool (as she read his mind).
"It nearly killed her so we're not going to discuss it any further," she insisted.
With his questions cut short, Lawrence turned to look a little sheepishly at his mother.
"I'm sorry for getting you in trouble with gran."
"I'm not in trouble…," Caroline began to say but then realised that her son was old enough to know the truth. "It will be fine. Your gran just needs some time to get used to the idea….that's all."
Caroline stepped around the island and drew her son in close to her for a brief hug before releasing him with a scruff of his thick, auburn hair and a kiss to his forehead.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"No," she replied honestly, "but, Lawrence, none of this is your fault. If your granny wants to be small-minded and bigoted then that's her problem not yours."
oooOooo
The initial half hour of their drive back to Ripponden Banks along the A1 was done in a discordant silence with both Alan and Celia caught up in their own thoughts which neither was willing to divulge until Alan finally said, "I have to say, Celia, I was very disappointed with your attitude to Caroline's news. I found it very…unkind…and distasteful."
"Distasteful?"
"Yes….I wouldn't have believed you could be so old-fashioned and small-minded, especially towards your own daughter."
"I'm not small-minded…and I'm certainly not old-fashioned!"
"Right….What would you call it then?'
Still feeling the sting of Alan's criticism, Celia replied, "I don't suppose you'll understand but I do love her…it's just…"
"What?"
"What will folks think…say…with her gallivanting around the place with another woman by her side?….and what about her job?...They're very…particular….you know. Do you think they'll keep somebody like that on as their Head Teacher? I'm just worried for her."
With a slight scoff, Alan answered, "I think you should accept the fact that Caroline is old enough and wise enough to know what she wants and how best to deal with it. Right now….and I'd only be guessing….but I think she could use your support rather than your criticisms and judgements. Can't you see how destructive this all is?'
Celia met his pleading eyes with a quick side-long glance.
"If she loves this Kate and it sounds very much like she does, then the least we can do is meet her," he argued.
"But I don't want to meet her," Celia protested, "I don't know what to say…how to act….around those kind of people."
Not quite believing what he was hearing, Alan asked, "What do you mean by 'those kind of people'?"
"You know….gays….lesbians…"
Alan stifled a derisory laugh. He could see he was going to have to educate Celia a bit more about the world around her.
"You treat them like any other person," Alan explained patiently, "and, anyway, you wouldn't be doing it for you, you would be doing it for Caroline."
Finding herself verbally cornered and without an argument in her defence, Celia decided it was best to cut her losses and draw the conversation to a halt there as she concentrated on merging into a lane for the M62.
Alan, too, decided to leave the matter there. Having made his point, he didn't want to push things too far and have Celia totally off-side. He'd let sleeping dogs lie for the moment.
oooOooo
Sunday morning began slowly as Caroline and Kate chose to luxuriate in bed considerably longer than they usually would if they were on their own. Free of any interruptions for the time being, they made the most of the opportunity to chat and laugh, to kiss and fondle but all too soon their peace and quiet came to an end with a tentative tapping at the door.
Thinking it was probably her errant husband again, Caroline muttered, "At least he knocked this time," before calling out quite brusquely, "Come in if you must."
To their astonishment a blushing Lawrence pushed the door open with his foot and entered. In his hands he carried a rather large tray which was laden with a breakfast for two….a teapot and two mugs, some slices of toast and two boiled eggs.
"I thought you might be hungry," he announced through an embarrassed smile.
"Thank you, Lawrence. It looks fabulous," his mother replied pleasantly surprised if not a little perplexed by her son's unexpected show of affection which she decided to take as a sign of approval from him for her relationship with Kate.
"I'm sorry about the gruffness…I thought it was your father," she apologised.
"Thank you, Lawrence," Kate added.
"It's okay," he replied a little shyly, still quite in awe of the private investigator. Then he turned to leave but remembered at the last minute to ask, "Mum, are you still okay to take me to my rugby match this afternoon or should I ask Angus' dad to…"
"No, no…it's fine," Caroline replied.
With the arrangements settled, Lawrence left them to enjoy their breakfast. He headed back to the kitchen supposing that he should attempt to clean up some of his mess knowing how pedantic his mother was about tidiness, particularly in her kitchen.
"Who'd have thought making eggs and toast could be such messy work?" he pondered to himself.
However, the sound of a football match in progress on the television in the lounge room seduced him and his good intentions were immediately lost.
Back in the bedroom, Caroline carefully handed Kate a mug of tea, laughing to herself as she did so.
"What?" asked a bemused Kate.
"I think my Lawrence is quite besotted with you," she explained with an amused expression.
"Besotted? Really?... Why do you say that? …. Just because he makes us breakfast?"
"I can't remember Lawrence ever making breakfast for John and me….He's barely able to make it for himself…. I'm not complaining….it's wonderful…a relief really…he's been through so much lately with all of his father's nonsense so I'm very grateful."
Caroline leaned over slightly and placed a soft, appreciative kiss on Kate's mouth. Not to be distracted, Kate reached for a slice of toast and cracked the top off a boiled egg. Lawrence was right, she was hungry.
When they were done, Caroline placed the mugs and plates back on the tray which she balanced a little precariously on the bedside table.
"Kate, will you be alright here alone while I take Lawrence to rugby or do you want to come with me? I won't be gone much more than an hour," Caroline asked as she rolled towards Kate only to see a hungry look in her partner's eyes but it wasn't food she was craving.
Kate too, had rolled over towards Caroline. It was then that Caroline felt her partner's rich, exotic eyes touch her face, her pale neck and come to rest on the lightly-freckled skin of her chest sending a spontaneous shiver of excitement through her entire body. From there, Kate re-traced the path her eyes had set with light, wet touches of her tongue until their mouths met in a deep, consuming kiss.
As their lips and tongues caressed Kate ran her fingers over Caroline's hot, smooth flesh feeling the woman's breasts push into her hand and the pursed nipples press against her palm. Both women sensed a wet, slippery commotion rapidly forming between their thighs. Caroline reached over and pulled Kate's naked hips in closer to her as Kate ran her hand slowly over the silky skin of Caroline's stomach and into the crisp curls between her thighs. Willingly Caroline parted her legs and opened herself up to the delicate touch of her lover's fingers and almost at once her hips began to move to match their rhythm. As though she was water steadily turning to steam, Caroline could feel the heat, the pressure building within her.
Then, to her surprise, Kate pulled away from the kiss and removed her fingers. Disappointment began to wash over her but was held at bay as she looked up and saw Kate's smouldering expression and felt her snake their bodies together, their legs scissored around each other, dark against light, one over, one under, their wetness open and joined. At the slick, sensual touch, each woman began to writhe wildly under the heightening intensity until the same euphoric wave crashed over them and washed them up, sated and spent, into each other's arms, their hearts still pounding and their pulses racing.
Several minutes passed before any words were spoken and it was Caroline who spoke first, simply expressing the feeling that was utmost in her mind.
"I love you, Kate," she whispered quietly, "I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
Before Kate could respond there was a loud knock and then Lawrence, who thought it wise not to open the door, called out, "Mum, Angus wants to know if we can give him a lift to rugby….his dad's car is broken down."
"Sure," Caroline replied trying not to be too upset that it seemed that their morning lie-in was over. "Tell him we'll pick him up…."
Caroline paused to look at her watch and was shocked to see the lateness of the hour.
"…in 45 minutes," she finished.
Also aware that it was probably time to rise and shine, Kate left the bed and collected her clothes ready to shower.
As she stood in the doorway to the bathroom, her long, luscious body naked and on show, she turned to her partner and asked, "Would you mind dropping me at mine first before you take the boys to rugby?"
"What….?" Caroline asked, her mind distracted by the sight before her, "ah...yes I can do that but are you alright to stay on your own?"
"I'm good to go….I feel fine," Kate answered.
"I don't want you to go," Caroline protested quietly, embarrassed at feeling a little like a spoilt child not wanting to give up its favourite toy.
Kate gave her a tender smile.
"I don't want to go either," she replied honestly, "but tomorrow is Monday ….you need to go to work …you have the auditors coming in and I have a business to run and my report to write up."
Reluctantly Caroline conceded that Kate was probably right. The week ahead did promise to be a busy one for both of them.
oooOooo
It took Kate almost two days, working at a steady pace so as not to over-exert herself as per the instructions of her doctors at the hospital and Caroline, to finish the detailed report on her 'Angela' case as well as complete costings and calculations of fees owing which she would send to her clients so it wasn't until Wednesday that she could give her full attention to an idea that had been forming in the back of her mind since Caroline had expressed her desire that they spend the rest of their lives together. It was a desire that Kate shared and she thought that if she could possibly help Caroline with buying out John's share of the house it might bring that desire a step closer to fruition.
For although Kate lived a comparatively frugal lifestyle, she had actually come into rather a lot of money several years previous but, at the time, the thought of such a large amount and of possibly wasting it had frightened her so she had wisely tucked it away and let it earn its keep. It was only when yearly statements came in or a large, unexpected expense arose that she thought about it or touched it.
Not long after Kate had first opened her business she had worked on a case for an eccentric old gentleman whose much-loved three year old pedigree Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bella, had gone missing. He was convinced she had been stolen but when he went to the police about the matter they had callously dismissed his problem and were unwilling to help other than to suggest that he put up some "Missing Dog" posters or advertise in the 'Lost and Found' section of the Harrogate Advertiser insinuating that her was wasting their time.
Distraught at the loss of his faithful companion and at the fate she may have met, the elderly gentleman turned up at the office of 'McKenzie Investigations' where Kate listened attentively to his problem and, while she couldn't guarantee the return of his pet, she reassured him that she would certainly do everything possible to track her down.
Grateful for a sympathetic ear and for being taken seriously, he formally hired Kate to investigate and hopefully find his beautiful Bella, making it amply clear that money was no object although, judging by appearances, Kate wasn't so sure. However, she was under his instructions to do whatever it took to get her back.
After several fruitless weeks of hanging out in popular dog-walking areas, visiting and asking questions of local breeders and vets, even attending a dog show, Kate had come no closer to solving the riddle and was reluctantly resigned to giving up the search and informing her client that it probably wasn't worth spending any more money on the investigation. It was then that she finally received her first promising clue from a vet whom she had spoken to and shown a photo of Bella. On following up the information Kate not only located her client's beloved Bella but several other stolen dogs, all caged in miserable conditions in a tiny, residential backyard and many of them with puppies. Once reported, the puppy farm was immediately closed down, the dogs returned to their relieved owners where possible and heavy penalties issued.
With the case solved and the bill paid (plus a hefty bonus) by her ever-grateful client, a self-satisfied Kate happily filed the information away and moved on to her next challenge.
Almost five years on Kate had cause to revisit the case when lawyers for the gentleman had contacted her and informed her that he had passed away and that she was one of a number of beneficiaries of his will, to the tune of £300K as it turned out. Although her client had not lived a lavish lifestyle, he was from a very wealthy background and had invested his money astutely rather than spend it and he had left a small portion of it to Kate in appreciation of the kindness she had been willing to show him and for recovering his Bella.
Once over the initial shock of receiving such a large amount of money, Kate decided it was best to put it away as a security for the future. On advice, she'd invested a part of it and watched it grow and all but a small part of the remainder she had secured away elsewhere. With the small amount she'd retained she had purchased her car and gifts for her parents.
Now she was seriously considering using it to help Caroline buy out the house from John so she wouldn't have to sell. Part of her was wary and unsure about such a move and realised that there was a chance that she could lose the lot if it didn't work out with Caroline but in her heart of hearts she knew that she wanted to share the rest of her life with this woman so she would make her the offer and get the ball rolling to make the money available.
oooOooo
It had been a nerve-wracking week for Caroline with the auditors, like ants at a picnic, poring over every aspect of the school's business including the curriculum being taught, programmes developed, hiring and firing of teaching staff, administration practices and every financial record and statement. They climbed into every crevice of school life looking for possible imbalances and weaknesses, matters that needed addressing.
Caroline had been through it all before and knew how they operated and what to expect but it never became any easier. Despite her knowledge that everything had been checked and balanced she remained on tenterhooks the entire week and it didn't help that she had only managed to catch up with Kate once in that time and then only for a brief few hours.
By the time Friday came around her nerves were completely frayed and she hoped they would be gone before she totally unravelled. The effect caught on like the common cold to the rest of the staff and even the students with everyone walking on egg shells, knowing they had done nothing wrong but looking over their collective shoulder nonetheless. However, today was their last day and everyone, but none more than Caroline, looked forward to their departure. She only had one last meeting to get through and they would be gone for another three years.
This final meeting had been arranged for one o'clock but it was considerably earlier than that when Beverley phoned through letting Caroline know that Gavin and two of the auditors were waiting to see her. Although a little flustered by their unexpected arrival, Caroline asked her assistant to send them in.
Caroline greeted them at the door with a perfunctory smile which they didn't bother to return. She then invited them to take a seat at the table. As she made to join them she couldn't help but note the solemn expression of each face.
"Is there something wrong?" she asked full of trepidation.
Each of the three men looked at the other to start the conversation.
Choosing the more familiar face, Caroline said, "Gavin?"
"Ah…yes…Mr Wakely and Mr Brown have been re-checking some of the financial statements and ….um…."
"We found a rather significant anomaly in one of the accounts," interrupted Mr Wakely. "A rather large sum of money … £100K to be precise…has been withdrawn from a school account and as far as we can track it it seems to have gone into your personal savings account, Dr Elliot. Are you able to explain this to us?"
For a moment Caroline sat dumbstruck. Were they really insinuating that she had stolen £100K from the school?
"Me? You think I took money from the school account?" Caroline asked completely outraged by the accusation, "This has to be a mistake."
"You had better hope so, Dr Elliot, because unless you have an explanation and can locate the money immediately we're going to have to inform the police and they'll probably call in the forensic accountants to track down what happened to it."
Her mind racing, Caroline rushed to the computer on her desk and went into her online banking facility. She tapped her fingers anxiously on the mouse as she waited for her password to be checked and her accounts to come up. To her bewilderment and shock, there it was, an extra £100K sitting in her personal savings account.
"I have no idea how that money got there but I didn't steal it or whatever you think I did with it," Caroline asserted firmly, deciding that attack was the best form of defence, "so I'm happy for your forensic people to do what it is you do to find out who did put it there."
Both auditors glared at Gavin indicating that there was more bad news to come.
"They will, Caroline," Gavin tried to assure her, "and believe me when I say that I, for one, know that you didn't take the money but until the matter has been fully investigated and cleared up I'm afraid we will have to …um…"
"Suspend you from your duties," the officious Mr Wakely finished. "In the meantime I'm sure one of your deputies is more than capable of taking over from you."
"Suspended?...Why? But I haven't done….."
Caroline's voice petered off as she could tell looking into the cold, bureaucratic faces that she would find no lenience. Instead, she wordlessly collected her coat and bag and, with head held high and back straight, she marched out of the office and made a bee-line for her car.
oooOooo
Kate was sitting at the desk in her office speaking on the phone to a prospective client when, to her surprise and pleasure, Caroline walked through the door, however, her immediate cheery reaction dimmed when she noticed the solemn expression on Caroline's face.
While she waited for Kate to finish her business, Caroline flopped into the seat opposite her, placing her elbows on the desk and resting her confused head in her hands. As she waited, her anger and affront gave way to uncertainty and fear. It was obvious to Caroline that she had been set up but who was vindictive enough to have her sacked and possible imprisoned?
Without seeming rude, Kate ended the phone conversation as quickly as possible and then, as she disconnected she went round to the other side of the desk, cupped Caroline's distraught face in her hands and asked, "What's wrong."
As succinctly as she could, Caroline explained the situation to Kate who listened attentively and then was inclined to agree with Caroline's conclusion that someone was attempting to set her up.
"Who would do such a thing?" Kate wondered aloud.
"I don't know….sure I've had run ins with people at work but that happens when you're a Head Teacher ….but nothing serious enough to warrant this sort of payback," a totally befuddled Caroline explained. "I could go to gaol if they don't find who actually did this….who would hate me enough to have me sent to gaol?"
The enormity and seriousness of the situation started to hit home and large, wet tears began to well in Caroline's eyes.
"Can I hire you to investigate?" Caroline asked in a voice that tore at Kate heart strings.
Kate thought for a moment, unsure that she would be able to find out any more than the police but then, as those dramatic, blue eyes caught her up in their sad stare, she found herself replying, "Sure….we'll get to the bottom of this."
oooOooo