IS THIS LOVE

CHAPTER 91

For several minutes the atmosphere in the apartment was sub-arctic. Bette was glaring at Emma with no attempt to hide her anger at being gazumped by her. Tina couldn’t believe how quickly this had suddenly happened – what bloody series of coincidences had happened for the two women in her life to be standing looking at one another like two mobsters.
“Why don’t you have a bath sweetheart – your bag is in my room – I will cook you something to eat “
Bette looked at Tina. She had vowed that she was going to keep a rein on her temper now that they were in a serious relationship. She had been concentrating on her breathing which had stopped her saying the dozen sarcastic things that she wanted to say to Emma.
“Thanks babe – I think I will”
Bette kissed Tina on the lips and headed towards the bathroom and closed the door with great care before letting out a silent scream – clutching her fists to vent her anger.

**

“Mother – how the fuck did you find that bloody picture ?”
Emma shook her head “Tina – how was I to know that Bette wanted that picture ?”
“Bette is a dealer for God’s sake – the gallery is only a part of her business. She has a high class client list – Peggy is one of the most lucrative. The picture has a lot of sentimental value for Peggy and for Helena – how did you find it ?”
“I have a dealer as well and I asked her to find some pieces that might be nice for Helena’s birthday – she is 30 in a couple of weeks “
“And it didn’t occur to you that “The Peggy Helena” might have personal significance to both of them “
“I just thought the name was unusual “
“It never occurred to you that there is a personal connection there “
“No “
“The yacht was owned by Helena’s father “
“Really ? In that case Helena is going to be really pleased about the picture “
Tina took a breath “Helena will be pleased but Peggy will not – Bette found the piece in the catalogue and she knew the significance because of Bette’s relationship with Helena and Peggy. Bette told Peggy – may I say at the same time as she was lobbying for her to give the two of you a chance. She showed the picture to Peggy who obviously wanted the piece. The yacht was destroyed in a storm a couple of years after he died. “
“How was I supposed to know that ?”
“You could have talked to Bette “ Tina suddenly stopped “Anyway – why do you have an art and antique dealer ?”
“Its become a hobby of mine. “
“And not once have you considered asking Bette to find you a piece – its her livelihood”
“It never occurred to me “ Emma admitted
“Mom – you are not doing yourself any favours – Peggy is going to be furious that she’s lost out on the picture “
“I am going to give it to Helena as a part of her birthday present “
Tina knew how much Bette had expected to pay for the piece – she regarded her mother with suspicion
“How much did you pay for it ?”
“That is hardly any of your business Tina “
“I know how much Bette was going to get it for – – you must have seriously improved on that offer – did you give the dealer extra money to get it ?”
“I wanted it and I tend to get what I want “
Tina was angry now – her mother had no idea what a mess this was going to become
“Well yippee for you mom – Bette flew down to Florida this morning in a futile chase for a piece that you had tied up because you had given someone a backhander “
“It was not a back hander “
“It damn well sounds like it was to me “
“I better go “ Emma said
“I think you should – you have cost Bette money and I assure you that when Peggy finds out Bette is going to be the least of your problems. I hope Helena is worth this mom “
“Yes – she is “
Emma picked up her coat and bag and left the apartment without another word towards Tina. Tina sat down and buried her head in her hands – just when things were going well – just when she and Bette were so crazy for one another and just when Helena and her mother looked like they were going to become more open about their relationship – this had happened. Tina sat for several minutes before picking up Bette’s glass of wine that she had barely touched and heading towards the bathroom. She tapped at the bathroom door
“Yes “
“Its just me babe – can I come in “
“Of course you can “
Tina walked into the bathroom – Bette was lying in the bath with her feet resting between the taps. Tina smiled and offered her the glass of wine
“You forgot this “
“Right – thanks “
Bette pulled herself up and accepted the wine – she drank most of the wine and Tina took the glass from her and put it on the floor beside her.
“Has she gone ?”
“Yes – fuck Bette “
“I know”
“I am so fucking angry at her – this is just surreal “
“Murderers have been unmasked with less coincidences than that one babe”
“Have you calmed down ?”
“There is nothing I can do but eat humble pie with Peggy “
“Peggy isn’t going to blame you – she will blame my mom though “
“I was so damn sure that I had the piece and no one else would want it. I mean – who else would want a painting of a yacht called the “Peggy Helena “ ? “
“I know “
“I normally secure the piece before I fly down and get it – why didn’t it ?”
“Because you are human “
“I was sloppy “
“No – you had no idea that my crazy fecking mother would take it into her head to get a dealer to look for things that might be nice for Helena’s 30th “
“Your mother has a dealer ?” Bette said in the same way that Lady Brackell had said “handbag”
“Indeed – it’s a hobby of hers “
“Nice that she thinks so much of me that she’s never consulted me “
“I said that “
Bette smiled and took Tina’s hand “Its not your fault Ti “
“I feel terrible “
“It was just one of those things “
“You and I might think that but I cannot see Peggy seeing it that way “
“No – no she will not – she will be angry – it will not make any difference that Helena’s going to own it – Peggy wants it for herself “
“I don’t suppose we can talk my mom into selling it to you and you selling it to Peggy – no – that was a bloody stupid idea. She’s been backed into a corner over this one now and she will not budge “
“No – I cannot see her doing that “
“Bette “
“Yeah “
“How much do you think she paid for it ?”
Bette raised one eyebrow “Are you worried she is spending your inheritance on Helena ?”
Tina laughed “I couldn’t give a flying fuck about my so called inheritance- but I am worried about all of this “
“We do have to try and stay out of this “
“We keep saying that – we just suck at it “
“We do “
“How much would your commission have been ?”
“2-3 thousand “
“Hell – God Bette “
“Its not the end of the world but if I had known that I wasn’t going to get the picture I could have stayed in my office and probably done some buying and selling and made that – but it’s not that “
“No – its being done by your girlfriend’s mother “
“Didn’t help I admit “ Bette said. Tina sighed and touched Bette’s arm. It was always nice to look at Bette naked and seeing her in the bath – her bath was a good sight. Tina lent forward and kissed Bette on the lips
“Lets see if we can forget about all of this “
“Got anything planned ?” Bette asked stroking Tina’s face with a wet hand
“Yes – I plan to go and make you a meal – then when I have fed you – you and I are going to bed”
“That sounds like the most wonderful idea Tina “
“On the one hand I could stay here and look at you for ages but you need feeding before I take care of my own hunger for you and your body Bette Porter “
Bette swallowed “ Wow Tina – I love you “
“I love you “
Tina kissed Bette again and got up and headed out of the bathroom – she needed to find something to make that was tasty and would give Bette the energy for the love making that she craved so much.