Dr Caroline Elliot sat behind her desk and stared out of the window watching the last stragglers leaving the school as another week came to a close at Sulgrave Heath, the independent school of which she had been the proud headmistress for the last seven years. At 45 Dr. Elliot had a reputation for a keen intellect; exceptional leadership skills and a steely-eyed stare from her clear blue eyes that could quickly quell even the most unruly schoolroom behavior.

This was the professional face of Caroline Elliot, an image she had worked hard to build and one she knew how to sustain. But it wasn't all facade, importantly a fiercely intelligent and a very strong and capable woman lay at the heart of this image making her a very successful headmistress.

As she reviewed the scene from her window Caroline had to admit to herself that the private face of Dr. Elliot had lately become much less clear and may even be starting to crumble under the strain. Her marriage of 20 years to John Elliot, a writer and University, lecturer had been rocky for some time but she had still been stunned when a few weeks ago he had calmly announced that he was leaving her to move in with another woman. Apart from the personal feeling of betrayal Caroline was appalled at the effect it may have on their two boys, William who was studying for his A levels and Lawrence who at 15 was at an age where he still didn't quite understand the complexities of adult relationships, even if he did try and pretend otherwise. Caroline was a fantastic mother adored by both of her boys and even in such a state of personal turmoil their welfare was paramount in her mind.

But now, sitting alone at the end of the week she allowed her personal feelings of rejection and inadequacy to take over. She had never considered herself to be very attractive, she didn't easily make friends and she feared that with John gone and the boys rapidly moving towards university she may be facing some very lonely times ahead.

Kate McKenzie, standing in the entrance hall of the main school building watched a very similar scene to Caroline but with some very different thoughts. Kate taught modern languages and as an extra curricular activity indulged her passion for music by playing the chapel organ and leading the school choirs. At 41 Kate had been married but when her relationship with Richard broke down she had finally admitted to herself that fundamentally she was more attracted to women than to men. In her heart of hearts she knew that her future lay in a loving and fulfilling relationship with a woman.

But therein lay Kate's problem because she had to admit to herself that she was smitten, indeed that she had got it bad, and that the object of her affections, no the object of her desire, let's be honest she thought, was none other than the magnificent headmistress of Sulgrave Heath, Dr. Caroline Elliot.

Magnificent was Kate's adjective of choice when describing Caroline but now she asked herself why? Well Caroline was beautiful, but she seemed to be completely unaware of the fact. She certainly used her wardrobe to accentuate the positive, what smart woman didn't, but Kate believed that Caroline saw this almost as a 'uniform' she donned as headmistress and not how beautiful and magnificent (there I go again thought Kate) it made her look. To see Caroline stride down the corridors in her elegant suits and heels, to watch as her hips swayed and to be able to admire those shapely legs certainly made her day but really what made Caroline magnificent was her beautiful face with those stunning clear blue eyes that cut right to the core of Kate McKenzie and often clean took her breath away.

Kate had come to know Caroline slightly better than her role in the school might have normally indicated through Caroline's support for the school choir. From these encounters Kate believed her passion to be a lost cause, Caroline was married with a husband and two sons, how much more evidence that Caroline was straight did Kate need. To protect herself from heartache Kate knew she should leave well alone and ensure that there was no more than normal professional contact between her and Caroline. Given that Kate wasn't even a head of department let alone a deputy head it should be possible to keep contact to a minimum.

In the past couple of weeks though Kate had sensed a change in Caroline's demeanour, nothing too overt but because Kate watched her so closely she was sure there was something different. Sometimes Caroline seemed to be there but not there, and if the pain Kate thought she detected in Caroline's eyes on those occasions was real than Caroline was in need of a friend. Kate thought she was probably being very presumptuous in this conclusion, Caroline would have close friends to whom she could turn in times of trouble but…

Kate was a kind hearted caring person and she didn't like seeing anyone in pain without offering support, she didn't know what her true feelings for Caroline were but she was willing to risk her own peace of mind to try and help the headmistress.

Kate retraced her steps in the school making her way up to the headmistress's office. Beverly, Caroline's PA, had already left for the day so the normal first level of defence was missing but still Caroline's door was closed. Kate convinced herself that she wouldn't be in a meeting at this time on a Friday and gently knocked on the wood panel.

Thinking that everyone had gone home Caroline was surprised to hear the knock on her door. She considered not replying and hoping that the visitor would go away but feared that they may try the door next and then she would just look foolish sitting silently in her office.

'Come in' she called

Kate came through the door and smiled. Kate McKenzie thought Caroline, aren't you beautiful when you smile. This thought was so unexpected that Caroline was sure the shock of it must show on her face. She quickly put on her glasses to cover her confusion. Where the hell did that come from she thought, I haven't looked at a woman like that in over 25 years.

'You're working late Kate, is there anything wrong' she asked.

Kate looked a little hesitant and felt more than a little foolish but she was here now and some lame excuse would only make her look silly.

'Caroline, I'm sorry if this is an intrusion and I know its not normal for a teacher to approach you in this way but, I think I've got to know you a little over our discussions around the choir and music and so on….'

Caroline looked quizzical. Kate swallowed and continued.

'The thing is Caroline I've noticed in the last few weeks that there have been times when you have been a bit distracted and on those occasions I sensed you may be unhappy no, more than that, I sensed you were truly suffering. I may be being presumptuous but I am not being nosey or prurient, I just wondered if you needed somebody to talk to….'

Caroline was taken aback. Normally an approach like this from a member of staff would have brought down the Dr. Elliot shutters and they would have been frozen by an icy stare from her flashing blue eyes. But Caroline had to admit to herself that she had just spent a good half hour wallowing in self pity based on the lack of friends in whom she could confide. It must have taken one hell of a lot of courage on Kate's part to make this overture and instinctively Caroline felt she could trust this woman.

I may be about to make a mistake Caroline thought but the news of John leaving me will get out through the boys if nothing else and I need someone to talk to. On the spur of the moment Caroline smiled, a little weakly but a smile nonetheless, and decided to open the door on her marriage break up, maybe just a crack.