“There is nothing ever so slightly about my bias “ Bette replied “She’s my partner and I love her and we make one another very happy “
“Any chance in a change in your circumstances when she gets this job ?”
Bette smiled “I have no idea what you are talking about James”
“You do – just tell me to mind my own business if you want “
“James – mind your own business “ Bette said good naturedly
“It would be nice if you and Tina were to make things more formal”
“James – you sound like my mother “
“And has the lovely Rosemary recovered from Helena’s party ?”
Bette grinned “I am not too sure about that – she was spectacularly drunk”
“Drinking what you said she was drinking I am hardly surprised “
“My mother can seriously party “
“I know – I have been to many an event with her and your dad – they are not on a par with Peggy because no one could be but they can enjoy themselves – can you imagine how drunk she would get if you and Tina ever got married “
“You are pushing your luck “ Bette said
“All the same”
“Yes I agree with you that it would be very entertaining but – all the same do not push your luck – go sort out our courier problem “
“Yes Bette – if Ms Kennard appears would you like me to help her find her way to your office?”
Bette nodded “That might be a good idea – thank you James “

Bette returned to her work and soon lost herself in emails and catalogues for future auctions. She heard the noise outside in the gallery but it wasn’t until the door opened and she heard the voice that so thrilled her did she look up
“Hello gorgeous “
Bette looked up and grinned – first question – did Tina look happy ?
Yes she was smiling broadly. Second question – how sober was she ?
Answer – moderately sober Bette assessed
“Hello yourself “
“I got a job “ Tina announced wandering over to the comfortable chairs and flopping down. Bette walked across and sat facing her
“James is getting me a coffee “ Tina announced
“Do you need it ?”
“Probably “
“Was the wine flowing freely ?”
“It was flowing very freely “
“How drunk are you ?”
“I walked over – -with luck it helped me sober up a little “
“Do you think it worked ?”
“I feel light headed and silly but that could be more to do with Peggy’s offer”
“And what was her offer ?”
“What do you think she offered me – you know – from what Helena told you”
“Helena just teased me at her party and since then I assume she has been locked away with Emma having some make up fun “
“Its big “ Tina said
“Well I don’t think we thought it would be a job in the post room “
“True – and I kind of had an idea”
“But ?”
“Its way more than I expected –even in my wildest dreams”
“So – are you going to share it ?”
“Yes because it might be the only way that it starts sinking in “
Bette waited
“I am going to start as her executive – I will be reporting to her and her alone and I will be doing the stuff that she wants doing – like checking out companies that they want to acquire and being her roaming ambassador – standing in for her at things. At the same time I will be doing an MBA “
“What ! “
“The company will be paying my way through a part time MBA at NYU “
“Wow – that’s impressive “
“I am coming into the organisation at one level below the Board “
“You are right – that is more than we expected “
“Its huge Bette “
“Its no more than you deserve Tina – Peggy doesn’t employ duffers and she likes you and she knows that you have total integrity and she trusts you “
“It really blew me away”
“I am not surprised – so – MBA eh “
“Its going to take up a lot of my time “
“So we will just have to really treasure the time that we do have.”
“My first thought was how it would affect you and I “
“You know that I will support you 100% – anything I can do I will. “
“I know and on the way over I was thinking that maybe my new skills might be able to help you. I don’t know anything about art but – well – you know “
“I think its proof of how amazing you are that you would think of me when you were trying to come to terms with this “
“Its weird because before I got the two part time jobs I had been thinking about going back to college. I can afford it and it would be a good use of some of the money that my mom left me “
Tina put her hand to her mouth “God she would have been so proud of me”
The blonde burst into tears – Bette went across to where Tina was sitting and hugged her. She had been expecting Tina to be emotional – Tina held onto Bette and cried for a few minutes. Bette just held onto her and stroked her back and did her best to reassure her partner. Tina finally moved away from Bette and touched her face
“Thank you “
“That’s what having a partner is all about”
“Thank you “
“You don’t need to thank me – I want to be here for you”
“I just wish she could have seen me with you and seen how happy you make me”
“How do you think she would have felt about Emma and Helena “
Tina laughed “Not so sure about that one “
Bette kissed Tina on the mouth “Its okay – this is bound to be a difficult time for you “
“She is just on my mind a lot at the moment “
“It would be weird if she wasn’t “
“I know “ Tina hunted around for a tissue – Bette got up and handed her one from the box that she always kept on her desk. Tina blew her nose and sniffed
“Thanks “
“That’s the third thanks in less than a minute”
“I know “
Tina reached for her bag and took out a sheet of paper
“This is my remuneration package for the job – the first figure is my basic salary and then there are bonuses and the bottom number is how much I will be getting when I get my MBA and get promoted “
Bette took it and looked at it
“Wow – those are big numbers “
“Yep “
“Seriously – this is sensational “
“I said that so Peggy told me roughly what her salary is and Helena’s and a few others in the company “
“I can imagine that what Peggy and Helena earn would make your eyes water “
“Oh it did – it really did “
“The added extras are nice “ Bette said
“Do you think Peggy has ever used the exclusive gym that she has got all her executives membership to ?”
“I very much doubt it – that was Helena anyway – she fixed that up “
“Its got to be the most exclusive gym in New York “
“It probably is – are you going to sign up to it ?”
“I don’t think so – I like the gym that I am a member of – I have been a member there for years and I feel comfortable “
“The eye candy rating is very high in the other one “
“I like a nice view but I think it would get distracted very quickly “
“You would – I have been there a couple of times and it really is wall to wall beautiful skinny girls lifting tiny weights and checking themselves out in the mirrors”
“No – I don’t fancy that – I will stick to where I am comfortable “
Bette loved how down-to-earth Tina was
“You sure ? there are some delicious looking models and actresses on view”
“No thank you – why did you go there ?”
“I was dragged along by an ex – I didn’t enjoy it – when I am at the gym I like to get sweaty and red faced. It was rather looked down on if you actually use the gym for serious working out – it was a bit too like a cattle market “
“Plus I don’t think I want to work out with people I work with “
“I think you are wise – you have to be aware that you will ruffle feathers coming in at the level that you are and you will be seen as a friend of Peggy and Helena – that will get you some people disliking you right from the outset and wanting you to fail “
Tina nodded “I was thinking all of that on the way over and Peggy never pulls any punches – she said that I would have to prove myself several times over “
“Does that bother you ?”
“Not in the slightest. I think that one of the things that I have discovered since my mom died and I started seeing you is that I am not a soft touch. “
“You aren’t “
Tina took Bette’s hand and squeezed it
“None of this would have happened if I hadn’t met you “
“I am sure that you would have found someone “
“I might have – but – no one could come close to how you are babe – I was thinking something on the way over “
“Other than why all the sky scrapers were swaying “
“Yes – well that as well “
“What were you thinking ?”
“How about you and I have a holiday – lets go away somewhere hot where we can wear a bikini from dawn to dusk and drink too many run punches and swim and scuba dive and everything else. I am going to be working really hard once I start – especially when I start studying “
Bette grinned “I was thinking the other day that a holiday would be good for us “
“Really ?”
Tina knew Bette couldn’t take time off the way that other people could – being self employed meant sacrifices.
Bette kissed Tina “I would love to be alone with you “
“Meaning you don’t get enough alone with me time as it is “
“No I don’t – I have two jobs – you run a gallery – we both have to spend a lot of our free time referring between my mother and Helena and everyone else who approves or disapproves of their relationship – it would be fantastic to have some quality time with you “
“I will talk to James “
“Think he will go for it “
“I can make it worth it – plus he likes to be in charge even if it just while I go and get the coffees”
“How long do you think you can take ?” Tina asked – two weeks would be perfect but she would willingly accept a week if that was all that Bette could spare
“I don’t know until I ask him – leave it with me” Bette looked again at the sheet detailing Tina’s remuneration package – it was stunning. It was totally what Tina deserved but it was going to be a disparity between their disposable income.
“So – how shall we celebrate – what do you think ?”
“What do you want to do ?”
Tina sighed and yawned “I think at the moment what I want to do is sleep “
“So why don’t you – do you have to be back at the office ?”
“No – I cleared my schedule as I didn’t trust myself to do anything responsible after a three hour lunch with Peggy “
“Well I should be free in about 90 minutes – you can either go home or you can have a nap on the sofa “
“Can I not take you home ?”
“I need to get things done “
“I know – I was just being silly “
“We will celebrate I promise you “
“But you need to get on “
“If I am going to have a holiday with you I will need to “
Tina sighed again “I am really tired “
Bette kissed her hair “Go to sleep “
“I think I might “ Tina looked suddenly weary
“Lie down – are you warm enough ?
“Yeah “
Bette carefully eased herself away from Tina and the blonde lay down on the sofa. Bette retrieved a thin duvet she had once used to sleep in her office when an exhibition was close and she was too busy to go home. Tina had her eyes closed and was probably half asleep already as Bette covered her up
“Thank you “ the blonde said in a tiny voice
Bette lent forward and kissed Tina on the brow “I love you “ she whispered
“You too “
Bette stood and watched Tina lying peacefully. If Tina was going to be working in a new and demanding job – as well as studying for an MBA it might be the perfect time for them to have a discussion about Tina moving in with Bette.