CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Im standing somewhere, leaning against Bette, whose guiding me along some kind of wooden path. I cant see a thing because this damn blind fold has made everything dark. I can hear Alice sniggering in the background, and then hear them all gasp as Bette stops me in my tracks.
Its a warm night. A dampness hangs in the air, and I can feel it clinging to the parts of my body that isnt covered by my white cotton skirt and silk halter top.
I have no idea what Im doing here, and until Bette blindfolded me in the rental car, I had thought we were just going to explore.
I can hear the water swaying gently. Bette?
Almost there baby She promises me. Careful we have to go up some stairs
Here Ill help Shane offers holding onto one of my arms. They lead me up some steps, but everything seems to move unsteadily with every step I take.
Ok hold on…let me just… Bette babbles moving around before returning to my side. …right ok. I hope you like this T She unties the blind fold and I have to blink for a moment. Suddenly everything surrounding me is lighted by tiny fairy lights. Im stood on a small boat with two decks, everything I look at is ivory or cream. Theres plush red seats at the sides of the boat, bouquets of pink and white roses resting in every chair. I look around in awe, everything looks so beautiful.
Oh Bette I whisper taking everything in for the second time. She smiles kissing me briefly before sliding a rose into my hair. She holds my hand pulling me towards the stairs to the second deck. I climb up after her. The top deck is just as breathtaking as the first. A table and its seven chairs take up most of the room. Everythings perfect. The delicate dishes, the champagne on ice. I hug Bette tightly. Everybody stands around smiling at me, not even Alice has a smart comment to make.
A man, I assume is the captain, talks to Marina in a language I cant make out. Their facial expressions tell me that their joking, Jennys facial expressions tell me that shes as amazed by Marina right now as I am with Bette everyday.
Ok hes setting off Marina informs us.
Everythings so beautiful Jenny speaks so softly that its almost like she isn’t here.
Isnt it I agree.
And Bette organised all of this Alice tells us. She wouldnt let me near it. I mean I would have picked safari but then thats just me
Because safari is so romantic Dana laughs. Alice pokes her in the side.
Have you seen the food? Bette asks. I shake my head. Everything can be eaten with your fingers She whispers from behind me. Strawberries, pears, mangos She uncovers bowls of fruit. Melted chocolate, vanilla cream She continues, seductively. I didnt want to chance a three course meal on a boat I turn around in her arms so that were face to face.
Im glad you didnt I stroak her face with my hands and kiss her my thank you. I think you may just have qualified for best wife ever She looks away sadly, but I tell myself to ignore it. Maybe Bette thinks that Im letting her off too easily, but shes wrong.
Should we eat now? Bette asks.
Im ready, you guys?
Definitely. Im always ready to sample a finger buffet Alice jokes.
Does every thought in that mind of yours generate into something disgusting? Shane asks as she sits down. Alice sits down next to her, and Dana sits down next to Alice. With Bette and I clearly sitting together, Jenny has no choice but to be next to Marina. Bette pulls my chair out for me, I sit down, and she pushes it back in.
Thank you baby
Your welcome
Marina puts her hands on the back of Jennys chair, and Jenny practically jumps into it before Marina has a chance to push her chair in. I see hurt flash for a second before she composes herself and sits down.
Bette pours champagne into my glass, and fills hers up, passing the bottle to Shane. The champagne tastes sweet and bubbly against my tongue.
This is really good Dana mumbles over a strawberry.
Well they had all kinds of appetisers but I figured it would be more intimate if we had to feed each other Bette explains her voice soft, but in some barely detectable way forceful. Shane shrugs dipping a piece of mango into the bowl of cream and waving it infront of Alices face. Alice frowns at the dripping piece of fruit but eats it anyway.
Hmm what should I feed you? I ponder out loud. I pick up a strawberry and dip it into the melted chocolate until it touches my finger tips, and then dip it into sugar. I place the strawberry in-between my front teeth and lean forward until Bette bites into the coated strawberry her lips brushing teasingly against mine. She presses her lips to mine, her lips licking off the remaining chocolate on my lips.
Do we have to do that? Jenny barely manages to ask.
Only if you want to Jenny Marina breathes out a dripping piece of cream soaked pear hanging in-between two fingers. Jenny looks at her with wide eyes not wanting to eat from Marinas hands but doing so anyway.
Alice looks on with interest nudging Dana who is holding up a piece of passion fruit. The piece of fruit falls into Alices lap and she looks at it like its an alien. Thanks Dana She dead pans.
More champagne? Bette asks, I nod and she refills my glass and her own. She feeds me a strawberry and then brings my glass of champagne to my lips.
The fruit and the champagne are devoured hungrily. Dana even manages to feed Alice something. The champagne has gone right to my head, and I know when Bette walks me over to the side of the boat, that Im more than a little tipsy. The gentle breeze seems to make my body dance against Bettes. I hold her as tightly as I can, taking in the scent of her perfume and the chocolate still lingering on her lips. I think I might have drank too much She looks down at me kissing my nose.
Maybe just a little?
I shouldnt drink because when I drink I become vulnerable. Right now Im clinging to Bette like shes about to say good-bye. I love you I whisper into her ear.
I love you too
I giggle. I know. I dont think I told you how incredibly ***** you look tonight I growl, snaring her lip in-between my teeth. I grab her ***** with my hands and she laughs.
Tina Kennard, are you coming on to me?
Dont look so surprised Mrs Porter. Im always coming on to you She grins kissing me, but both Bette and I know were not getting anything tonight. I rest my head against her shoulder and Im begging for our four poster bed.
Have you seen Jenny and Marina? Bette asks. I look around until my eyes find them entangled on one of those plush chairs. Its bizarre to look at them, or at least its bizarre to look at Marina like this. Maybe its the champagne but I have never seen Marina be so tender with anybody. She cradles Jenny to her, kissing her mouth, her cheeks, her neck, and the resilience just washes away from Jennys face.
Jenny looks happy
Marina has a lot to thank us for. Romantic cruise, strawberries, champagne I nod into her chest. Come on baby the boats about to dock