Helena was trying to concentrate on her work – her long afternoon with Emma had stretched into a long late night which on top of her mother’s party the night before meant that she was exhausted . The older woman had thrilled and shocked her with the level of her passion and her stamina. She had been extra-ordinary and as Helena yawned – few women had more stamina that H Peabody
“Helena “
Helena looked up as her mother swept into the room – for once she was actually working – she was carrying a folder.
“Morning mother “
“See what you think of THIS ! “ she said
Helena looked at the folder “Looks like someone is trying to out bid you on the London house”
“I know – how dare they – don’t they know how much that house means to me ? I will do great things with that house “
“Why do you want it mother- I know it has sentimental value but you haven’t really given me details “
“There are somethings that some daughters do not need to know about their mothers”
That made Helena laugh – did that include Tina knowing who her mother was grinding hips with ?
“Whatever “ Helena said handing the folder back “All I will say is that it’s a lot of money but it is in the most expensive part of London and the value is not likely to go down rather than up. Also only you know how much value to put on sentimentality “
Peggy nodded and sat down and regarded her daughter
“Late night or are those bags under your eyes from my party ?”
“Both “ Helena remarked “Are my eyes really baggy ?”
“A homeless person could get a lot in those bags darling “
Helena frowned “Thanks mother – you have such a way with words “
“I called you several times last night “
“I was busy “
Helena cursed – that was always her shorthand for “ busy getting sweaty with a woman “- she had given herself away in less than five minutes – still her mother would find out soon enough if Bette the Big mouth had her way. Sure enough Peggy raised one perfect eyebrow
“Oh yes “
“Yes – don’t you have dragons to slay ?”
“New woman ?”
“Do you need to know everything about me ?” Helena asked “ Your love life is far more interesting than mine “
“I doubt that – so – hot model ? In the closest Hollywood actress ? Do I get any clues – do I get to meet one of them ?
“Do you really want to ?”
“I might be interested “
“You could be disinterested now and again “
“Oh I couldn’t – what sort of mother would that make me ?”
“You may as well know “
“I may ?”
“Yes – because I would rather you heard this from me rather than anyone else “
“I might hear this from someone else ? “ Peggy was more than interested now
“Yes “
“I don’t know why you persisted with this conveyor belt of women to your bed – why can’t you settle down like Bette has. Look at the other night – she is besotted with Tina “
“She is “ Helena said “And its made her terminally dull “
“Was that you putting Bette down ?”
“Well she is getting dull – she will be picking curtains next “
“You once spent $10,000 on drapes for your apartment – are you feeling a little out of things ?”
“I have no idea “
“Well gooseberry was never your favourite flavour “
Helena hated how well her mother knew her
“Thanks “ she said
“I thought you said they were both very good at not excluding you “
“They are not excluding me “ Helena said a little miffed
“So why the pet lip ?”
Helena growled “I do not have a pet lip “ she almost shouted
Peggy smiled a small sardonic smile that drove Helena crazy with annoyance – damn her mother and her damn mind reading skills
“As you wish darling – so you are seeing someone and you are concerned that Bette is going to tell me ?”
“She and I don’t agree over this “ Helena said
“One of her cast-offs ? Well it was going to happen – I did always say that the rate the two of you get through women eventually their will be a shortage “
“There is no bloody shortage of women and she is not a Porter cast off “ Helena snapped
Peggy gave Helena the sort of luck that only a mother can give her daughter – the look that bore into Helena’s soul and made her squirm. Helena prided herself on not being intimidated easily – unless it was by a superior operator – P Peabody.
“Oh you will hear about it soon enough – I am sleeping with Emma Kennard “
Peggy’s well trimmed eyebrow almost disappeared with the speed it rose.
“Emma Kennard ?”
“Yes – so what’s wrong with that ?”
“Emma Kennard – oh dear – are you suffering from a drought darling – you and Emma “
Peggy laughed
“Its not funny “ Helena snapped
“It is “ Peggy replied “It is “
“No its not – we get on well and we are having fun “
“You have to admit its funny “
“Its not ! “ Helena said getting cross
“Darling you are 29 years old – you are only a couple of years older than her daughter “
“Age has nothing to do with it “
“You don’t mean that and there is no way you would be doing this in normal times “
“Normal times ? “ Helena could feel herself about to explode
“Your best friend is happy and in love – you are losing her – she is drifting away from you and Tina is too strong a enemy “
“What do you mean by that ?”
“You have always known that whoever Bette is dating and whoever you are dating that the real relationship is you and Bette – best friends forever . Tina is different and I think that’s taken you aback “
“Nonsense mother “
Peggy smiled and stood up “Darling – the most important relationship in your life is the same woman you have been close to for over a decade. You are bound to feel lost but this is not the answer – you must end it with Emma immediately