"I'm just surprised it wasn't Lucia." Susans mum smacked his arm, "well, you know, they were thick as thieves."

They were standing in Susans conservatory, well, Jo and Susan were standing, her parents were calmly sitting on the couch. They had decided to sleep on the decision, then they had taken most of the day to work up the courage to actually tell Susan's parents. They were bizarrely calm and accepting, as if they had expected this. Jo stood holding Susans hand, searching the adults faces for some hint of… anything. It had been like saying ‘I like Chinese food’ there was that little reaction.

"I'm happy for you honey, now, sit down, you two look so uncomfortable standing there." They sat, almost on autopilot. "Now Jo, would your mum be upset if I poured you a glass of wine to celebrate?"

"Oh, erm, no thanks, I'm in training so…" Jo stammered. "But don't let that stop Susan."

"Well, I have some non-alcoholic stuff in the cellar, back in a second." Jo looked at Susan who seemed as perplexed as she was.

"So, you're okay with me dating your daughter? You don't mind?" She asked Susan's father.

"Oh god no, it's a modern world, why would it matter?" He finished his wine and poured another. "Anyway, we can look on the bright side, no unexpected bundles of joy!"

"I didn't expect you to react this way. It's all a bit…" Jo started, "Confusing." Finished Susan.

"Here we go Jo, it's just Lindauer but apparently it's not bad, according to my gym buddies." She handed her a champagne flute of what looked like fizzy wine. She then filled another glass with still wine from the open bottle and handed it to her daughter.

"Well, I guess 'Welcome to the family!'" she held her glass out and they all obediently clinked glasses. "Wait till I tell them at the gym, exciting news. I love it!"

"So, what are your plans for my daughter?" her father asked leaning forwards, “Are you going to make an honest woman of her? How do you intend to support your new family?” Jo’s face went from puzzled to wide eyed bafflement, “Sorry, I always thought I would have to do the intimidation thing when she brought a boy home, figured this may be my only chance.”

“Dad!” Susan complained, “Hold on! Was that a Susans pregnant pre-rehearsed speech?”

“It may have been. You know, it was one of my biggest fears!” He laughed.

Susan shook her head and put her arm around Jo’s waist, “I was actually going to ask you. What do you think about me applying for the local Uni rather than going somewhere hundreds of miles away?”

Her mum almost spilled her drink in the rush to hug her, “I'm all for that! Oh it would be so good to have you close.”

“Well, I guess I would be the villain if I said anything else.” her father said.

“Erm, I was wondering though, would it be possible to get a flat or something nearer the university?” she tentatively asked.

“Let me guess, and move in with your girlfriend? I'm not sure I trust you that much.” his wife elbowed him in the ribs.

“I think it's a great idea honey.” She looked at the girls, “that is as long as they can prove they can work hard for the rest of this year without letting their relationship get in the way?”

“Hmmm, I’m not convinced, there’s a big difference when you're living together, no forced separation to do homework for one.” He frowned, “we could just make you live in the halls of residence. If I recall correctly you can do that for two years of your course.”

“Oh come on Bill, they’re responsible, and you’ve eaten the food in those places!”

He grumbled but gave in, “Fine, but I want to see some really good grades this year. From both of you!”

The next day the newly minted couple walked hand in hand down the corridors to their group’s usual corner, they drew a number of stares but had decided they could weather the snide comments and homophobic reactions.

What they didn't expect was tears from Lucia, she had taken one look at them and ran, tears flowing freely down her cheeks.

“Erm… what just happened?” Susan asked.

“She just got through telling us that her mother’s church has all their kids spying on her. She was saying she had to avoid Jo in public places because she has no idea who is actually doing the spying.” Heather explained.

“Oh crap…” Susan closed her eyes, she couldn’t believe how badly timed this was. “Why didn’t she tell us on the bus?”

"Hey, you didn't tell us your news either." Jenny reminded her.

"Well, I wanted Jo to be here, god I feel bad. We already pretty much came out to the whole school just by holding hands. Shit, her mum's not going to let me see her ever again!" She slumped to the ground and put her face in her hands. Jo awkwardly rubbed her shoulder, unsure of what she could say to make this better.

"Well, I'm going to go find Lucia." Heather said, striding off.

"Tell her I'm sorry." Susan called after her.

"Apparently she's grounded for two months!" Anne said, "and banned from movie night forever."

"What? But that's our thing! Oh god how did I fuck this up so badly." Susan buried her head in her arms. "And it's the man who fell to earth this week." She mumbled to herself, "she always watches that film with me."

"Well, congratulations on your new relationship. I'm happy for you and all that jazz but I'm going to go find Lucia too." Jenny said with a wave.

"And suddenly the lesbians are on their own." Jo said quietly.

There was a shocked intake of breath for Anne, "Oh, yeah, Susan figured it out. Don't worry, it's between us."

"Really?" She asked, looking at Susan for confirmation, "Even so, don't say things like that at school." Anne said, looking around furtively. "Someone might hear. Not to be insensitive, but I still want to be able to hang out with Lucia."