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Caroline smiled into another kiss, lingering…never wanting to let Hannah go. “I love you.”
“Not as much as I love you.”
Chapter28
Caroline tookher satchel from the side of her desk, turning out the light in her classroom. She couldn’t wait to get out of here today, mostly because she was spending the evening with Hannah and Edie. Edie had left it up to Caroline to choose their midweek takeout…and the pressure was real. It was only dinner, but Caroline wanted to get it right.
Deep down, though, Caroline knew she couldn’t get it wrong. Edie was polite and would be happy with anything she selected.
“Hey, Caz!”
Caroline turned at the sound of Brenda’s voice. She smiled, stopping in the corridor. “Hi. Everything okay?”
“Yeah. I was wondering if you and Hannah wanted to come over tonight for a glass of wine? Sharon is getting to mine around seven. Nothing exciting, just a catch-up.”
“Tonight is no good for us, sorry.”
Brenda narrowed her eyes as she approached. “You…never seem to be available anymore. Should we be worried?”
Huh? Worried. Why would her friends possibly need to be worried? “I’m not following your line of thinking here.”
“You meet Hannah, and suddenly, you can’t make it out with friends. Is she another Naomi?” Brenda linked her arm through Caroline’s, leaning towards her ear. “I know you wouldn’t find yourself in that position again, but if you’re concerned that she’s not giving you time to yourself…you can tell me.”
Caroline, shocked and surprised, practically looked through Brenda. “Hannah is not another Naomi. Not even close. The reason we can’t make it is because Edie is home tonight, and she’s asked if we can order takeout. I promised her a fancy banquet.”
“O-oh. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I appreciate you looking out for me, but Hannah is a good one. The best.”
“I know she’d never hurt you, but we were so oblivious last time that I never want you to find yourself in that position again. We weren’t good friends to you.”
Caroline smiled. “You were. The fact I chose to hide the grim life I had was on me. Not you or anybody else.”
“Okay. Well maybe another time, then?”
“Absolutely. I’ll mention it to Hannah. Midweek isn’t really good for us because Hannah is run off her feet at work, but maybe a weekend in the future?”
“A weekend. Got it. Perfect.” Brenda squeezed Caroline’s arm, taking a step back. “I’ve got a meeting with a parent, so I’d better get back to my classroom. I’ll see you soon, okay?”
“See you soon.” Caroline strode away, thrilled by the cosy night in she had planned.
She rushed out of the main entrance before anyone else could stop her from reaching her car, almost running through the main gates and to the overspill car park. Hannah had kept her busy this morning, meaning she had just about made it to her first lesson. That, in turn, meant her usual parking spot had been taken.
As Caroline turned the corner to cross the busy street filled with students leaving for the day, she stopped abruptly. Was that…Edie? With… Oh, no.
“Edie!”
Edie spun around, a slight fear in her eyes. “Ms Baker, um…I don’t want Kirsty to pick me up.”
Caroline took a step closer, reaching out a hand to Edie. When Edie remained where she was, Caroline noted the hand wrapped around her wrist. Kirsty’s hand. Around Edie’s wrist! Oh, this wasn’t happening. “Come on. You’re coming with me today.”
“Am I?” Edie’s eyes lit up. Caroline could appreciate that later when Kirsty wasn’t trying to abduct her girlfriend’s daughter. “Kirsty said Mum asked her to collect me. But I usually get the bus.”
“Hannah did ask me to get Edie today!” Kirsty spat, glaring at Caroline. “And I have stuff to do, so we need to leave now.”
“Let go of her.” Caroline kept her voice calm and low, stepping between Edie and Kirsty. “Before you do something stupid,” Caroline paused, her nostrils flared, “take your fucking hands off my student.”
“She might be your student, but she’s practically my daughter.”
