Good morning, Alice said brightly to Bette, then fell silent when she saw the look on Bettes face. Bette didnt reply and slumped in her chair, slamming her bag down on the table with such force that Alice was surprised her coffee didnt spill.

My, youre in a bad mood, Alice commented.

No Im not, Bette snapped, giving her her trademark glower in an attempt to scare her off prying any further. However, Alice was probably the only person not scared of Bette and she merely looked at her, eyebrows raised in a look of disbelief.

Im fine, Bette insisted, picking up Alices napkin and tearing it up into little pieces. Alice watched her thoroughly and viciously disable the enemy napkin for a moment, deciding to change the subject and let Bette get to the reason she was so pissed in her own time.

Whatever. Did you have fun last night?

Have fun where? Bette asked, too quickly and too distractedly for Alices liking.

With Tina? Yknow, your girlfriend?

Shes not my girlfriend, Bette muttered darkly. Not anymore.

What?

We broke up. Bette forced a fake smile on her face and looked round at the counter. Do you want more coffee?

Alice ignored Bettes poor attempt at changing the subject and reached her hand across the table to take Bettes. So thats why youre in a bad mood.

Im not in a bad mood! Bette shouted angrily, wrenching her hand out of Alices. We broke up, so what? Theres plenty more fish in the sea. Bette was acting as if she didnt care, but she wouldnt make eye contact and she looked tired, as if shed been up all night. Do you want some more coffee? Because if

Oh. My. God, Alice interrupted, peering intently at her. Youve fallen in love!

No I havent, Bette said, but her voice was insincere and her face told a different story.

Yes you have! Youre in love with Tina! Bette Porter in love – I never thought Id see the day.

Ok, ok, Im in love, Bette admitted, Alices cheerfulness at the whole situation enough torture to make her give in. She looked down into the mug Marina had brought her and her voice softened as she spoke, almost to herself. Ive fallen for her. Totally, madly, deeply. There was a long pause, then Bette looked up with tears in her eyes. Not that it matters cause weve broken up.

Since when did you ever give in when theres something you want? Alice asked in disbelief, wondering why she hadnt noticed her friend had been replaced by an impostor.

Since we had a horrible fight, I said some things I didnt mean, and Tina left for New York for four weeks without saying goodbye.

Oh. Alice moved to the chair next to Bette, placing a hand on her back to comfort her. What did you fight about?

Bette shot her a guilty look. Nothing.

Alice stared at her until she gave in.

There was this guy that tried to chat her up at the bar we went to last night and, even though she kept trying to get rid of him, I got jealous and angry and She looked down at her feet shamefully as she continued in a near whisper. and accused her of flirting with any ***** that came along.

Bette!

I told you I didnt mean what I said. She sat back, and Alice wondered if the napkin had shown a threat of retaliation as Bette started to tear the small pieces into tiny pieces. You know what Im like when I lose my temper.

Oh boy, do I, Alice agreed. But Tina knows that too, Im sure.

Bettes hands stopped moving as the tears finally began to fall from her eyes. Al, when I said that she looked like shed been slapped. The shock and hurt on her face was

She trailed off, remembering the way Tina had looked at her just before she turned on her heel and left.

Youre going to have to apologise, Alice said softly, pulling her in for a hug and handing her a little pile of napkin confetti to wipe her eyes.

I cant. She wont answer her cell and shes stopped all calls to her hotel room. She gave Alice a pleading, desperate look. What am I going to do?

*****

Bette flashed her thousand watt smile as the receptionist handed her her room key, leaning over the desk to give him a tantalising view of her cleavage.

I was wondering if you could do me a favour, she purred, smiling as his eyes almost popped out of his head.

Anything, he croaked, loosening his tie slightly.

Im here on business, and a colleague of mine is also staying in this hotel. She left some files that we need for our afternoon meeting in her room, and she asked me to get her spare room key so I could pick them up on my way out.

ErmII dont think I can do that, the receptionist stammered. Im not allowed to give out room keys without written permission.

Oh dear, Bette said sadly, idly tracing her lips with her finger as she pretended to ponder the situation. Oh, I know! she exclaimed, her face visibly brightened as though an idea had just occurred to her. If I ring her, and pass the phone to you, she could tell you that I can have the room key. I know its not written, but shes tied up this morning, and we really need those files. She pouted slightly at the thought that she might not have those files, but looked at the man with just the right amount of hopefulness to make him agree.

Ok, that should work, he finally gave in, and Bette rewarded him with a huge smile.

Thank you, thank you, she gushed, reaching into her bag and pulling out her phone. Quickly she dialled Alices number.

Hi Tina, its me, she said brightly.

~Bette? Whats going on? Its Alice.~

Yeah, Im just checking in, Bette told her, smiling at the receptionist all the time. Im trying to get your spare room key, but I cant get it without written permission from you.

~Bette, what the ***** are you talking about, you nutter?~

Oh Tina, youre so funny, Bette laughed, fully aware of the mans stare as she played with her hair. But we really need those files that youve left in your room for our afternoon meeting, so Im going to have to get your room key. Out of sight of the desk Bette crossed her fingers, praying to the highest power that Alice wasnt having one of her stupid days.

~Ohhh,~ Alice breathed as the penny dropped. ~So, what do you want me to do?~

Uh-huh, yeah, well the wonderful man behind the desk The receptionist beamed, and Bette had to stifle a giggle. has said that if you talk to him, let him know that you agree, then I can have it.

~Okay, but you owe me for this.~

Ill pass you over now, Bette told her, handing the phone to the receptionist. She hid her smile behind her hand as he fawned over Tina, and it wasnt long before she was being handed another room key.

Thank you, so much, she said to him as he handed her back her phone. Youve no idea how much this has made my day.

She picked up her hand bag and walked over to the elevators, putting an extra swing in her hips just for his benefit. When she was sure she was out of earshot, she put the phone to her ear as she started to laugh.

Men are so gullible, she giggled, wiping tears out of her eyes.

~Oh, big boy, youve made my day~ Alice mocked in between fits of laughter. ~So, when are you going to tell Tina that youve been confused all these years, and that youre actually straight?~

Shut up, it worked, didnt it?! Anyway, you cant talk, you dirty bisexual. The elderly couple next to her looked shocked and moved away, making Bette laugh even more.

~You didnt seem to mind me being dirty when we were together,~ Alice shot back just as the elevator arrived.

Ok, Im going to have to go. I owe you a big kiss and a slap-up meal when I get back.

~Damn right you do!~ Bette stepped into the elevator, and wasnt surprised when the couple chose to wait for the next one. ~Right, go get your woman. But if you start arguing, dont be an ***** again.~

Thanks Al, I love you too. She shut her phone, and as the elevator started to move, she gave a big sigh of relief that everything was going to plan.