Bette woke slowly; her dream still filled her thoughts. With eyes still closed and a big smile on her face she stretched her hand out to Tinas side of the bed. Empty. She felt up and down; no Tina. She opened her eyes. The sun was streaming into the room but it contained only her and a million dust motes that were floating in the sunlight. Yuck, she thought, Ill have to speak to the cleaner.

She picked up her robe and wandered down the corridor looking for Tina and Rosie. It was quiet, too quiet; she knew before she reached the kitchen that theyd gone. She felt, well to be honest, she wasnt sure what she felt, just that shed missed something important. She liked waking to find Tina feeding Rosie or talking to Rosie as she made breakfast or lying in bed next to her. She felt this morning that something was missing.

She walked over to the coffee machine knowing Tina would have left it ready so she could just press the button. She smiled. Taped to the coffee machine was a huge pink post-it note:

Bette,
Rosie and I left for my meeting. Sorry we missed you – you looked so peaceful I just couldnt wake you! Have a great day and well talk when you get home.
Love T and Rosie

Bette pressed the coffee button and when it was ready she wandered back into the bathroom, coffee in hand. She stripped, turned the water on and relaxed as the steam built. The jets of water pulsated onto her skin and soothed her back that still ached from the flight the previous night. She stretched and ran her hands over her body; massaged her back, ran her fingers through her hair.

She stood in the shower, watched the water trickle through her fingers. She focused on the water, thought about her life. She remembered watching the water and her life slip away from her the night of the Provocations opening. She put her hands together, cupped them, the water filled the hollow and ran over the top. This is what she felt like now – that her life was full to overflowing.

She smiled, finished washing herself and hurried to get ready for work, the sooner she got there, the sooner shed be able to come home.

later at the CAC

Bette walked into her office. She stopped short at the sight of a tall, thin, red-haired man sitting back in her chair his feet up on her desk, legs crossed looking very much at home. Her phone was cradled between his ear and his shoulder.

Hold on a minute he said into the phone and looked up at her crossly Who the ***** are you?

I might say the same thing said Bette as walked over to her desk and knocked his feet to the floor.

The rapid movement of his legs from the desk to the floor rocked the chair, forced his teeth to snap together and the phone to clatter to the floor. He rescued the phone Ill call you back he said then turned around to face her. Look luv piss off will you Im busy.

Bette looked at him her eyes steely I dont know who you think you are but get the ***** out of my office.

He continued to sit in her chair and looked her up and down. Finally he said So, youre the famous Bette Porter. Well I can see why they hired you.

And why would that be said Bette her hands on her hips.

Well Im sure it would be for your intelligence and your he stood up and conspicuously looked down her low cut top knowledge of art. He smiled at her innocently.

Bette clenched her fist. Who the ***** was this Neanderthal and why did he think he had a right to be in her office. She smiled as sweetly as she could with her teeth gritted Who the ***** do you think you are and what right do you have to come into my office and insult me?

He put out his hand. I guess youve been too busy to check your messages. Im Baz.

What messages said Bette. She ignored his outstretched hand and took her phone out of her bag; the battery had died.

I thought youd be more on top of things than you are he said with a smirk.

Baz Bette took a deep breath, barely restraining herself get out ..now!.

He smiled at her; turned and sauntered out whistling a tune which Bette had a feeling she knew but couldnt place.

She sat in her chair and snatched up the phone. Time to check who Baz the ***** was.

TBC