Caroline took her by the wrist. “As Hannah…or Eva?”
“Whatever works for you. But I think you already know the answer,” Hannah paused, lifting her free hand and brushing her fingers up the inside of Caroline’s wrist. She felt her shudder. “I don’t share my personal life with just anyone, Caz. Make of that what you will.”
Chapter7
Caroline wasn’tsure this was the wisest decision she’d ever made. No, she was certain it was theworstdecision she’d ever made. But she needed to see Hannah. To tell her that the things she’d said earlier outside her classroom weren’t true. Caroline had known this would all turn sour; it was inevitable. But she’d been overwhelmed with everything she’d faced from the night they’d met. How Eva looked at her, how she touched her with the gentlest hand, the things she said to her. Caroline had never felt so confident in the last ten days. Okay, she’d initially been scared half to death when she woke the next morning to the reminder of her actions after their first meeting, but on the whole…she felt amazing. Hannah thought she was attractive—there was life in her yet.
But now, as she stood outside Hannah’s home, Caroline felt that familiar dread settle inside her. If the school knew she’d stolen Hannah’s address, Caroline wouldn’t have a job to go back to tomorrow. But she was putting her trust in a woman she didn’t know, praying that Hannah wouldn’t put a complaint in at the school. She may have told Caroline to call her whenever she wanted to, but turning up on the doorstep surely wouldn’t be met the same way.
Caroline steeled herself, taking the few steps up to the door. She knocked gently, hoping Hannah wouldn’t hear and she’d have to turn around and leave. But then the front light turned on, flickering to the side of her head, and the door opened.
“C-Caz, hi.”
“I’m so sorry for showing up here. I’m fairly certain what I’ve done is a sackable offence, but I just needed to see you for a couple of minutes. If this is inappropriate, though, I can leave.”
Hannah frowned. “Come in. Is everything okay?”
Caroline stepped into the warmth of Hannah’s home, enveloped by the delicious scent of something sweet baking. “I…yes. I think so. I don’t know.”
“Would you like a cuppa? You look like you need one.” Hannah held out an arm, directing Caroline towards the kitchen. When she reached it, Hannah closed the door. “Why have you come here?”
“Because I just had a few things to say to you.”
“Is this about Edie?” Hannah sighed, resting back against the counter. “I know I flew off the handle a bit earlier, but I was shocked. I couldn’t believe what had happened. Now that we’re home and Edie has told me everything, I don’t blame her for lamping half of them.”
Caroline smiled. “I get it, I really do, but I’m not sure what Edie did was worth getting excluded for.”
Hannah shrugged. “So long as the others receive the same, I’m not too concerned anymore. I mean, she’s hardly going to start causing trouble in school. You probably don’t know she’s there half the time.”
“Well, you’ll be pleased to know that the other students received a longer exclusion period. The school is also putting a team together who will deliver an assembly about LGBTQ+ history and equality. Oh, and Edie can return on Monday rather than Wednesday. I spoke to the head and explained that Edie really wasn’t a child who deserved to miss out on important school time…and he agreed. Her record speaks for itself. She really is a wonderful student. She’s a pleasure to have in my class.”
“Wow, that’s…thank you, Caz.”
Hannah’s gaze pierced Caroline, but she pushed those beautiful blue eyes to the back of her mind.
“I noticed that you two get along quite well.”
Caroline motioned towards a seat. “May I?”
Hannah nodded, taking the seat beside Caroline.
“Edie has always been a fantastic student. I’ve never had any trouble from her. Yes, I was surprised when I was called to see her today, but I understand in many ways why she reacted how she did. And if it’s been going on for a while, it was only a matter of time before she blew.”
“That fills me with hope. I always knew she was a good kid at school, but it’s just me and her here at home, and she spends a lot of time in her room. She’s always been quiet like that. And while it means I don’t have to worry about her being out with the wrong crowd and causing trouble, I do wish she’d surface more than she does.”
“If you’re worried about her, I can safely say that she’s never given me the impression that anything is wrong.”
“No, I don’t think there’s anything wrong or that something is going on that I should know about. Well, aside from what we learnt today. I just wish she’d come out of her shell more.”
Caroline frowned. It had suddenly dawned on her that she was in the home of one of her students. Without a care in the world. “Is she home now?”
“She spends Wednesdays with my mum. It’s been that way since she was a toddler.”
“Right. Well, I’m not disturbing anything, am I? No plans…”
“If you’re asking if I have any clients booked, no. I don’t. I only work the weekend when Edie is with her dad.”
That wasn’t what Caroline was asking at all. “No, that wasn’t where I was going with this. It’s just that I probably shouldn’t be here. You know, with me being Edie’s form tutor and all.”