She became aware that Alice was looking at her oddly.

‘What?’

‘You look like you’re imagining Trump in a bikini.’

Tina laughed and gave her old friend a long hug.

***

Tuesday night at Cork Fire Kitchen was pleasantly busy. Bette gave the maitre d’ her name and winked at Tina as they waited for the woman to find their reservation.

‘This is fun,’ Tina said, slipping her hand into Bette’s. Bette raised it and kissed it.

This was a very good idea. Late afternoon, Tina had gone and found Bette at the stables. Nickel and Penny, the two horses they shared with Helena and Dylan, were cared for by Bella, Concetta’s daughter, who stayed with her parents in a new lodge on the estate. Tina asked Bette if they might go out for dinner tonight. Make the most of their fresh nails and glowing faces. Bette appeared reluctant, so Tina said, ‘We can leave for three hours, Bette. It’s not the army.’ Bette laughed, and agreed . . .

Presently, they were led to a table overlooking the golf course. Tina had chosen this restaurant because it was part of their Temecula origin story, first visiting when she was staying at Helena’s as a guest. Amistad had been called the MP Alban Winery back then, and Angie had come with them with Concetta’s son, Rocco. Now he was starting his residency at Loma Linda, and Angie . . .

Tina didn’t want to go there. Leaving House 2, they’d come downstairs to find Angie, Alice and Joan Didion ensconced on the sofa eating Kix and watching Traitors. Angie had barely set foot outside her room except to collect food, so Tina made conversation about the show. Bette’s parting shot, however, was that they’d leave them in peace to watch their ‘brainrot’. Maybe it had been a joke, but Tina saw Angie’s eyes cut towards her mother’s back.

‘What are you in the mood for?’ Bette asked brightly.

‘Oh, something light, I think. Leave room for dessert. Definitely in the mood for something sweet.’

Bette smiled. It was lovely to see.

‘I’m glad you suggested this,’ she said. ‘I know I was an ass at Wendy’s, but I do think this is a good use of our time.’