“And controls the purse strings “ Bette put in
“Exactly darling – Peggy is eccentric . Most of the rules that apply to the rest of society my mother seems to assume do not apply to her” Helena replied “Does that sound fair ?”
“Perfectly “ Bette said “All that said Peggy is very generous and will do anything for the people she loves – we are lucky that her list includes us – and she is even fond of James in a perverted sort of way “
“I think it was the pink bowtie you wore last year “ Helena said dryly
James looked up from his new task of opening the champagne.
“Peggy recognises style when she sees it “ he replied causing all those who remembered his bowtie to laugh
“Do you or your mother run the Peabody Foundation ?” Emma questioned.
“I make the recommendations to my mother which are never turned down” Helena explained. She had a long discussion with Bette about this evening and they were both expecting the third degree from Emma. The matter that was open for debate was would Emma mention Tina. Bette didn’t think she would – it seemed that Emma and Rosemary’s whole strategy was based on NOT revealing that Tina Kennard existed.
James got the cork out of the first bottle of champagne and quickly poured some into all the glasses. Bette exchanged looks with Helena – so far so good.
—
“Bette – if you check that phone again I swear I will take it away “
Helena rebuked Bette. The meal had been delicious and now a band was playing – James was dancing with Rosemary – a sight that was always one of the highlights of the whole evening as far as Bette was concerned. James danced at any event like it was some hard core gay rave regardless of the tune playing being a Glenn Miller classic. Showing a more dignified style were Emma and Melvin who were both laughing at Rosemary and James’s rather strange mixture of styles.
Bette looked at Helena
“I am just waiting for a text “
“Yeah –from a blonde who you are rather obsessed with “
Bette smiled “Is it that obvious ?”
“To me and to James – yes. If you are not careful your mother will see that you are looking goofy and start asking questions that you are not ready to answer “
Bette sighed and reached for the bottle of champagne
“I know – she’s just “
Helena knew that it was pointless for her to suggest that Bette was in love with Tina. Bette could be very defensive and it never paid to tell Bette what she was not yet ready to accept herself. What always won in the end was just sitting back and waiting for Bette to own up – that was usually time to tell Bette that it had been obvious for weeks.
“Yes ?” Helena didn’t think that Bette could see that she was in love with Tina yet
“I like her – she’s fantastic – she’s funny and smart and sexy “
“How is it going ?” Helena enquired
“Great – we went for dinner last night “
“Wow – it must be failing if the two of you are spending the majority of the time vertical “
“I just took her to Little Italy – its only a couple of blocks from my place”
“Nice place “
“Nice but nothing fancy “ Bette said
“Yeah “
Bette shook her head “It was a surprise and I had her presented with a red rose “
“Sweet “
“It was just something understated – right ?”
“Yes “
Bette sipped her champagne. “She just acted like I had bought her a diamond ring. She was speechless and then she had a little cry and then she hugged me and “
Bette paused and looked over to see her parents well out of the way dancing
“Then – she was wild later “
“Wild ?”
“Totally “
Helena toyed idly with her pearls – she needed to step carefully here. Something that was getting harder the more champagne she was drinking
“You said that her ex didn’t treat her that well – you couldn’t be more different I bet.”
“You think I shouldn’t do it ?“
“No – I think you should do it more – she obviously just needs to get used to you making her feel special”
Bette smiled “I just want to spoil her and I don’t know how well it would go down “
“Bette – your past girlfriends have been spoilt and there were few things you could buy them that would be something they couldn’t buy themselves. Bette “ Helena “Tina works at a crappy job for only three and a half days a week – she’s not going to be on a great wage if she’s on any wage at all. “
“I know – its hard to know what to do “
“All you can do is be true to yourself – you like spoiling your women – that’s just the sort of woman that you are. I think it’s a really sweet part of your personality “
“The thing is – she’s got this battered mobile phone – I just upgraded my iphone “
“And you have your old phone ?”
Bette nodded “I would love to give the phone to her – she’s always playing games on mine “
“So what is stopping you ?”
“I was going to give her my old phone – its still got its box and instructions”
“So ?”
“Would she be offended ?”
“Well she would be very foolish if she was – it makes sense “
“I will ask her when I see her “
“How are the two of you getting on ?” Helena enquired
“Really well – she’s the best “
Helena had no doubts – her best friend was in love with Tina.
“No closer to telling the folks ?”
“I have left it up to her “ Bette said “Its her hang up – she admits it”
“So what’s stopping her ?”
“Her mom – she thinks with some justification I think that Emma will get on her back about getting a
proper job and how can she hope to keep me when she is just a community worker “
“When the truth is that you don’t care what she does “
“No – I know she’s not happy – she does want to do something else. She’s really smart Helena “