“If its Peggy and you are going to be one of her new executives – trust me – it wont be a hot dog and a cup of rubbish coffee “
“I guessed that “
“Tina — this is the best news-”
Tina swallowed “I thought I would tell mom next Saturday when I go up to the cemetery “
“That would be a lovely idea darling “
Tina was nervous about this – she wanted to go and pay her respects to her mother but she wanted to take Bette with her. She really didn’t know how her mother would take that. Emma could sense Tina’s sudden anxiety and Bette was watching the scene quietly beside Tina
“Bette and I will go up there in the morning “ Tina said wondering how that would go across
“I will be working on Saturday morning so I will go over after lunch “ Emma managed to say and she prayed to God that it sounded like she hadn’t just made that up on the spot
Bette put her arm around Tina and joined in the conversation “Would you come to dinner with Tina and I at my place on Saturday. The three of us should clear up some of the misunderstandings that have been flying around in the last few weeks. I would hope that as I see myself as family that we could talk “
Emma looked at Bette and realised why so many people adored the brunette – she did have a very calming aura around her. She knew that Bette had seen through her lie even if Tina hadn’t. Bette looked at Tina
“Isn’t that right honey ?”
“Yeah – dinner would be a good idea “
Emma smiled “I would love to come to dinner with both of you. “ she sighed “I have been the silliest of all possible silly bitches about the painting and I owe you and your parents a massive apology Bette. I guess I am very much out of my comfort zone and its making me act like an idiot. “
“Its okay “ Bette said
“No – no it isn’t. You have made such a difference to my daughter and I have not been as appreciative as I should have been. I have done dumb stuff. Yes I knew about the history of the painting but I swear to you Bette that I did not know that you were the dealer trying to get hold of the painting. I was blinded by trying to get one over on Peggy – just to do something that would take Helena’s breath away. I got swept up in thinking that the painting would impress Peggy. I see now that nothing I do would impress Peggy. I was not trying to screw you over Bette – I was trying to put one over on Peggy. The things I said were pretty unforgivable but I am hoping that you will in time find out that I am not the monster that I like to pretend that I am. I genuinely love Helena and I do believe that I can make her happier than any one else. Its hard for me to admit that I am out of my depth but I am – and yes I am scared most of the freaking time. That makes me say and do dumb as fuck things but – well I hope that Tina at least knows that there is another side to me. When I see the way you look at Tina I think back to how it was for Kate and me when we started out. I hope you two have the happy life that we did. “
Emma offered her hand out to Bette who took it and used it to pull her into a big bear hug to let her know that as far as she was concerned the matter was closed.