(Bette) Everything’s fine. We can just do it another time

(Alice) So where are you going?

(Bette) Ah, it’s just some live music thing. A queer outdoor series that’s being run through summer

(Shane) Oh, nice. I know the one you mean, I went recently and it was great. Picnic rugs, music, cheap drinks

Dana smiles at them.

(Dana) Sounds fun

Alice glances between them and then looks back at Bette.

(Alice) You’ve cancelled a fine dining dinner to go to an outdoor gig with cheap drinks?

Bette shrugs and has a sip of wine and Alice looks at her suspiciously.

(Alice) Who are you going with?

Bette looks around the table before answering.

(Bette) Ah, Tina

Alice raises her eyebrows.

(Alice) Wow, how did that happen?

(Bette) What do you mean?

(Alice frowns) We’re talking about Helena’s friend, right? The one who went home with you and you had no way to contact?

(Bette) Yes

(Alice) Well what then? Did you end up running into each other?

(Bette) No, I went to see her at work and asked if she’d have dinner with me

They all stop and look at her for a long moment, and Alice frowns.

(Alice) Do you like this woman?

Bette sighs.

(Bette) I wanted to see her again, do we need to read into it beyond that?

(Alice) Ah, yes. When you’re cancelling plans you’ve been looking forward to for weeks and ambushing her at work it’s a little hard not to

Bette has a sip of wine and Alice looks at her for a moment.

(Alice) So how did dinner become outdoor music?

(Bette) We already did the dinner during the week

Bette shrugs.

(Bette) Now we’re doing this

Alice looks at her and then raises her eyebrows and shakes her head.

(Alice) Well, you’re the first person in history who has turned up at someone’s work after they’ve ghosted them and come away with a date

Alice shrugs.

(Alice) I guess she likes you too

Bette has a sip of wine.

(Bette) It’s not a date

(Alice frowns) Well what is it then?

(Bette shrugs) Not a date. She doesn’t want to date, and doesn’t want this to go anywhere. She’s been totally upfront about that