James popped his head in the door just as Bette was returning to her office from lunch.  “Bette, Peggy Peabody is on line one.”

“Oh, thank  you James.”

Before Bette could greet her, Peggy had launched into a tirade against Catherine Rothberg.

Catherine was of course, Helena Peabody’s new girlfriend (if you could call it that) and her influence over Helena was bothering Peggy to no end.

“Bette, I want you to do me an enormous favor, a favor I would not ask even of my closest confidante. Will you promise to do me this favor?”

Bette’s eyes widened.  She had barely uttered hello, and felt a little flustered, but true to form, she accepted. Besides having genuine affection for Peggy, she knew enough to stay on her best side. 

“Bette, I want you to go to a party at Catherine’s disgustingly opulent Presidential Suite tonite. Get on her good side—I suspect that from what Helena has told her about your group of friends, Catherine will have no reason to suspect that you are being sent on a rescue mission. At best, she’ll think you’re there to revel in Helena’s misery.”

“Peggy, I have no interest in reveling in Helena’s misery.”

“Good, Bette, I’m glad to hear it. Because I want you to take her back to your home and put her up, just for the night, until I can fly into town and have a good sit down with my lovely daughter. Will you do that for me? I’m sending for my grandchildren, for a weekend, and I need Helena at her best for their sake as well.”

Strangely, Bette felt fine with Peggy’s request. She did not find the usual spark of frustration or disgust that once accompanied a mere mention of Helena Peabody’s name. Instead, she felt relief—relief that she might have a chance at helping Helena out of a mess which was beginning to worry all of their mutual friends.

—————

The door opened and loud, ridiculous dance music blared out into the hallway.  Catherine was obviously expecting somebody else at the door.

“Bette Porter” Bette reached out her hand to shake Catherine’s reluctant offering; her smile was a sunny juxtaposition to Catherine’s suspicious gaze.

“Bette, you’re a friend of Helena’s, right?” Catherine seemed to remember something and her eyes suddenly brightened. “No!” she corrected herself, “you’re the one whose girlfriend Helena seduced.”