With James’ aid, Helen Stewart was able to get through to the Wing Governor at Denny’s prison. They confirmed a time for the next day’s teleconference with Denny and the officials at her prison.

“You’ll have this ready?” Helen asked, looking between James and his boss, Dean Bette Porter.

Bette deferred to her assistant.

“We’ll be all ready,” he confirmed. “Tomorrow at 8 a.m.”

“Ugh.” Bette’s input on the timing.

“Sorry. We’ve got to set a time when the staff has availability to monitor.”

“We’ll have coffee on hand.” Bette again looked at James. “Or tea, if you’d prefer.”

“At that hour, I think coffee,” Helen agreed.

“Okay then. We’re …” The words drifted off, Bette’s attention clearly captured by the woman and man approaching. “Set?” she added, belated, after a quick smile for one of the new arrivals.

“Hi Bette, James.” Jodi spoke for herself, with Tom standing behind her. “Hello,” she offered Helen.

“I’d like you to meet Jodi Lerner, one of our artists in residence, and Tom, her interpreter.”

Tom had taken up position behind Bette, and was signing the introduction.

“Pleased to meet you, Jodi. I’m Helen.” As Helen said her name, she gestured towards one hand with the other.

Bette watched, unfamiliar with the signs.

Jodi didn’t seem as confused. “You’re from Britain. Do you sign?”

“I’m afraid I’ve pretty much exhausted my knowledge,” Helen admitted. “And it’s Scottish, actually.”

“I see,” said Jodi with a nod. “That’s okay, you pretty much exhausted my knowledge of BSL, too.”

Watching the easy rapport between the two women, Bette found herself feeling somewhat left out.

Left out for a moment, until Jodi turned to her. “Lunch?” Something in Jodi’s eyes had Bette wishing for more than a sandwich at the canteen, although that wasn’t a likely possibility on a day with a fully packed afternoon schedule, as this one was had become.

Bette looked back to Helen. “We’re set, then?” she asked again, possibly a little hastier than necessary.

“Set. Until some beastly hour tomorrow.” Helen looked at the group around her. “It was nice meeting you all.”

With that, she was gone, although each woman did take a few moments to watch her departure.

A nudge from Jodi brought Bette’s eyes back to her lunch date. “Artist?”

“More of an agent, I guess.” Bette gave a small shrug. “C’mon, I’ll explain over lunch. It’s actually a pretty interesting project.”

Jodi looked over at her interpreter, who was temporarily busy eyeing Bette’s assistant. “Why don’t you take a break for lunch, Tom?”

The mention of his name brought Tom back to the present. “Later, then? In the studio?”

“Later,” Jodi agreed. She grabbed Bette’s hand, and led the woman away from her office.

As they approached the elevators, Bette started to wonder how many of her afternoon appointments would she have to reschedule.

# # #

Out in the parking lot Helen grabbed her mobile from her purse. “Heya.”

She listened for a moment. “Yeah, we’re on. Yeah. that’s later today. No, no, it’s all set.” Another pause. “I’ll tell you all about it. Promise. You’ll ring before you go to bed, yeah?” A smile grew on Helen’s face. “I love you, too.”

The smile remained as Helen climbed into the rental car and drove off towards the highway.

(tbc?)