“I don’t take orders from you.”

“Sure you do. Take me the my hotel. Now,” Bette said with a small laugh.

“You’re such a bitch,” Helena muttered.

“I know,” Bette agreed easily.

“I don’t know why I’m friends with you. Ordering me around. Popping up unexpectedly. Guest lecturing and not even telling me. You’re a pain, Bette Porter,” Helena snapped as she turned and strode off.

“Helena…okay hold on. Wait.”

Bette grabbed her arm and pulled her to a stop.

“I should have told you I was coming. I seriously thought your mother would have told you. It just didn’t occur to me. I’m sorry if you’re upset.”

Helena turned and took a deep breath.

“I…Bette I’m sorry. I was just surprised. And seeing you was a good thing. Is a good thing. In fact…Bette. I…I…just want to tell you how much– I mean. I…I feel something…”

Helena couldn’t seem to get her mouth to work properly.

Or the right words to come out.

“Are you okay?” Bette asked peering at her.

“There you are! Now how did I know I’d find my darling daughter at a pub? Are you drunk Helena?”

Great, Helena thought. Just wonderful!

“You know me Mummy, and that’s how you found me. And I’m not drunk.”

“That is a change,” Peggy Peabody mused from the back of her Mercedes as she leaned out the window observing them. “Bette! I am surprised to see you here. Did my daughter finally persuade you back to her boudoir?”

Bette chuckled.

Helena glared at her mother.

“I don’t even know what you’re talking about, Peggy. Your daughter’s still a child and I don’t date children. No offense, Helena.”

Helena nodded.

“Right. What do you want Mummy?”

Peggy grinned back at Helena.

“I wanted to see if you had come up for air, and if you’d like to join me for dinner? You too Bette.”

“Actually I’ve got a guest waiting for me back at the hotel. Another time, Peggy?” Bette asked.

“Certainly dear. Helena?”

“I have studying to do. I’ll see you both later.”

“I don’t get a ride?” Bette asked.

“I’m sure Mummy will give you a ride. Won’t you, Mummy?”

“Yes, Bette. The Ritz wasn’t it?”

“Helena are we okay?” Bette asked turning to Helena.

Helena shrugged.

“Sure. I’ll see you.”

“When?” Bette asked.

“Whenever I come back up for air. See you later, Mummy. Goodbye Bette.”

“Peggy I’ll see you later,” Bette said.

Helena glanced over her shoulder to see Bette hurrying to catch up with her.

“Helena what’s wrong? Can’t you talk to me?”

“What’s wrong with me? What’s wrong with me?” Helena asked angrily.

Bette looked unsure but nodded anyway.

“You’re upset. That’s obvious.”

“You’re so infuriating! How can you be so blind?” Helena demanded loudly.

“Blind? What? I don’t understand.”

“Of course you don’t understand. You’re so…Bette like! I mean I don’t even understand this! How can I be in love with you?”

Bette laughter was the last thing Helena wanted to hear.

“You can’t be serious, Helena! In love? With me?”

“I am. Quite serious too. This is me in love with you, Bette. So… um…?”

Helena wrung her hands together as she watched Bette carefully. Looking for any sign of Bette actually returning her sentiments.

But Bette just looked shocked and even slightly sick.

“I…” Bette looked around wildly taking a step back. “I’m…going. I’m going. I-I am… Peggy I’ll take that ride!”

Bette turned on her heel and literally ran back to Peggy’s idling car.

“Yes that’s it. Run. Run away. My God…why did I say anything at all? It’s over. I’ve ruined it all. This is horrible. Horrible. My life is ruined,” Helena whispered to herself lowering her head in defeat.

She stood unsure for a moment before she glanced up and watched her mother’s limo drive off. What was she going to do now? How would she ever be able to face Bette again?

Her gaze slid back to Hardagin’s and then to the nearly empty street.

When in doubt, drink, she thought and with tired steps she headed back into the pub.

“A bottle, Rupert, of Grey Goose and a shot glass if you please,” Helena called out as soon as she entered. “I’ve decided to get good and bloody pissed. Because my life as I’ve known it, is ruined!”