**

Bette opened the door of the high-class lesbian bar where they were meeting up with Helena. After a fantastic day just lying in bed talking and making love Tina had decided that she fancied going out for the evening . At the same time Helena had texted Bette asking if she wanted to meet up for a cocktail or three – it was an offer Bette didn’t want to resist. She adored her best friend and she deserved to be the first to know that they were in love – which she probably already knew.
Helena was just reading the drinks menu when she looked up and saw Bette and Tina walking in holding hands. They were totally glowing with happiness – Helena smiled. It had been cute the way that Bette had missed Tina the night before
“Hello darlings “
“Hey Helena “
Bette hugged her best friend “You back on the booze ?”
“I woke up fairly fresh this morning and you two look like you don’t need any stimulants to look so pleased with yourselves – hello Tina darling “
“Hey Helena “
“So what would you both like to drink ?”
“I will have a scotch please “ Bette replied
“Certainly – and you Tina ?”
“Vodka on the rocks “
“Good choice – shall we get a booth – I will ordered our drinks “
Helena raised one finger in the air in the direction of the barman who was serving at the other end of the bar. He saw her immediately and came across- missing two people who had been there longer. Bette grinned and joined Tina in a booth.
“Think she knows ?” Tina asked
“Probably before we did “ Bette said taking a couple of nuts from a bowl and eating them. Helena came across and put the drinks down and looked at them
“So – and what have you two been up to – you both looked too chilled to have been slaving away at work “
“We have been relaxing together “ Bette said
“Well you look very relaxed “ Helena said “Have you been telling Tina about my conversation with her mother ?”
“She has – she came over and hinted that you were about to ask me out “
Helena sipped her martini “ I might have been drunk as a Lord but I was trying to be careful with what I said to her – I would not have given her any inclination that I was interested in you – no offence “
“None taken “ Tina replied “My mother told me that you would be at a fashion show next week and you had invited her and I had to be there “
Helena frowned “I know that anything is possible because I was rather drunk but that really doesn’t ring any bells. Fashion show ? Fashion show ? – did you say next Friday ?”
“Yes “
Helena lent back “ It must have been someone else or she is imagining things – well good luck to her “
“Helena “ Bette couldn’t wait to tell her best friend her piece of great news
“Yes darlings “
Bette looked at Tina and took hold of her hand and kissed it
“I want you to be the first person to be told this – the thing is that Tina and I are in love “
Bette’s grin could not have been bigger – she was obviously so proud of Tina and their relationship. Helena couldn’t help but be delighted – Bette had rarely been so happy and besotted
“That is fantastic news “ she said “ I am really happy for both of you “
“I know that you and Bette go a long way back – I am going to take good care of her “
Helena smiled “I didn’t doubt that for a second – you two look so happy “
“We are “ Bette agreed “So you will understand that we don’t want Tina’s mom to rain on our parade “
“And not by using you “ Tina said “My mother is a scheming old trout and she has been trying very hard to get the two of us together and now seeing as we have managed to put a spoke in her works she is now switching her attentions to you . I don’t want her coming between you and Bette “
Helena sipped her drink “I promise you Tina – Bette and I have a very solid friendship – there isn’t a woman who can come between the two of us and I have seen right from the start just how crazy she is about you Tina – your mom may be smart but she is not smart enough for a Peabody “
Just then her phone rang- Helena picked it up “Speaking of “
She got up and walked away to take the call.
When she returned ten minutes later Bette had been for a refill of all their drinks. Helena picked up her original martini and waved it at Bette
“Thank you darling “ she drained it and sat down
“That was Peggy “ she explained
“How is Peggy ?”
“Missing her favourite adopted daughter “
Bette chuckled “Well she should stop globe trotting “
Helena grinned “Did you say that this mythical fashion show was next Friday ?”
“Yes “ Tina replied
“I have the perfect solution “
“You do ?”
“When did you last have a day off Bette ?”
“Today “ Bette grinned at Tina
“When did you last have a holiday ?”
“Last September but Ti and I were discussing whether we could sneak away for the weekend”
Helena smiled “ Well let me offer you the following – Peggy has just bought a place and she wants a little gathering of those she loves the most “
“Where is this place ?” Bette replied
“Cable Beach in The Bahamas – and I have told her about you Tina and she insists that you are paraded in front of her for her inspection – we fly next Thursday night on one of the Peabody’s planes – we should be back around Monday lunchtime – what do you say love birds – have you seen one another in a bikini yet ?”
Bette looked at Tina and back at her friend
“Today I told Tina that I loved her for the first time – if its not too weird I also want her to know how much I love my best friend “
“Tina ?” Helena was amused by how shell shocked Tina looked
“The Bahamas ?”
Helena nodded “Bette will tell you that Peggy never buys shacks – it will be luxurious “
“Come on babe – what do you think – it will be fantastic – sun, sea and sand “
Tina was overwhelmed – what a day it had been so far – she grinned “Thank you Helena – I would love it