Chapter 1

The Planet buzzed with its usual mixture of chit chat and laughter. It was a typical Saturday morning; the majority of the tables were filled with women trying to recover from the night before whilst sharing gossip with their friends about the previous night’s escapades. The table nearest the window was filled with the Planet’s most regular customers.

“It wasn’t like that!” Jenny blushed quickly as she tried to defend her actions. “We kissed a few times, and then her girlfriend came over. I wouldn’t have done it if I had known.”

Alice laughed as a chorus of mixed reactions came from the table. “Don’t worry Jen, we’ve all done it…”

“We have?” Dana turned to her girlfriend, her left eyebrow slightly arched.

Alice nudged her playfully, telling her to shut up under her breath.

“Right ladies, we best take off.” Tina and Bette stood up and began to put on their jackets. “Angelica has a doctor’s appointment and we have to go and pick her up from Kit’s.” They all said their goodbyes and then the newly reformed couple left the café.

Checking her watch, Dana sighed. “I best get going too, I have training to do.” Alice smiled to show her support, although she was upset to see her leaving. It had been only four months since Dana’s cancer scare and she was slowly getting back into her training again. Things with them were going great, they were spending so much time together and both had never been as happy.

“Ok baby.” Alice reached over to kiss her girlfriend goodbye. “Dinner tonight? About 8ish?”

“That’ll be perfect.” Dana kissed her again. “I love you.” She whispered just before leaving the table.

Jenny’s cell phone broke the silence and she quickly left to take the call. Alice stared across the table at Helena who had been unusually quite all morning; she’d hardly said two words to anybody or tried in any way to join the conversation.

Alice watched her curiously. Helena was staring deep into her coffee cup, as if she were waiting for something spectacular to jump out of the cup at her. Quickly moving around the table to sit beside her friend, Alice tried her best to make eye contact with her.