“The truth – that Emma’s speech was real and that I do believe that she didn’t know that I was the dealer she was stiffing “
“But she knew about the painting “
“I don’t think Helena will blame Emma for wanting to get one up on Peggy – Helena has been trying to do it for years -not always successful “
“Your pal Jodie is giving you some lustful looks “
“She can give me whatever looks she damn well wants “
“Does she know that you and I are exclusive ?”
“Yes – and I have been telling Phyllis how happy the two of us are – watch out for Phyllis trying to sweet-talk your mother “
“Why ?”
“Her daughter has an interview for an internship at her place”
“I think it depends on whether Helena gives my mother the time of day. Do you think Helena is going to tell anyone else that they are a couple ?”
Bette was watching Helena and Peggy who were deep in conversation
“I don’t know – the thing is if Emma hadn’t gone off like a rocket this would have been the party were they came out as a couple. Helena has always liked to shock and she would have probably done it by taking your mother onto the dance floor and having a very sexy dance with her”
Tina pulled her face “I am not sure that is the sort of thing my mother would appreciate – she is very private and I don’t think she likes to be used for sport”
“I can see that – are you okay ?”
“I forgot that I hadn’t asked you if you would come and see Kate with me “
Bette took Tina by the waist and kissed her softly on the mouth
“I will be honoured to be with you when you go up there”
“Do you think its bad that I want to be with you – not my mother ?”
“No – maybe you could have gone with her as well- I think if things settle down with Helena I will talk to H and tell her that she should offer to go with her”
Tina smiled “I love how thoughtful you are”
“How do you think Kate would react to Emma dating Helena ?”
Tina shook her head “I have been thinking about that – I think she would have been amused “
“Shall we go and sit down and wait for the birthday girl to come and join us – I imagine that she is going to be swamped with people buying her drinks and wanting her attentions”
“It is her party – come on Bette – I can see Jodie eyeing you “
“Jodie is no threat to us – she’s a pain the ass who has been trying to seduce me for ages”
“And it would have killed you to tell me this before she showed up giving you the eye and saying things to you in sign language that I have no chance of understanding”
Tina was a little annoyed about that
“Tina “
“Look – I trust you but I asked you earlier on if any of your exes were going to be here – I would have appreciated a heads up about her”
“Jodie has never been one of my exes “ Bette protested
Tina started walking towards the table where Melvin and Rosemary were sitting chatting. Bette looked at Tina in surprise – what the hell had she done ? She had no damn right to accuse her of not telling her everything about Jodie – Bette had no interest in Jodie and everyone knew that . She started after Tina with some annoyance.
“Bette “ she was called by a friend of Helena’s called Marina who she had not seen for ages. She went across and started to chat to the half Italian woman who she had always regretted that she had never had a fling with. Marina was very sensual and she knew it. Bette allowed herself to join Marina for a glass of red wine and she sat down and they started to chat.