“No – it was a conversation – I also suggested she buy a gym or a restaurant. This bust up with Peggy is not just about them being set up – she’s 30 – she wants to make her own mark on the world. I think it’s a great idea”
“I guess mom would be a good person to do the negotiating “
“I think that your mom and Helena are a pretty unstoppable business team”
Tina looked sharply at Bette
“What ?”
“What ? Its not impossible “
“My mother owning a night club ! “
“Why not ?” Bette said “There are some shysters around with shyster lawyers to go with them. They go into a meeting with a rich girl and they think that they will make mincemeat of her and then discover that the lawyer with Helena is Emma Kennard — the toughest smartest lawyer in the city. That would have them making sure they were wearing a box “
Bette chuckled at the thought “ I like the idea “
“What does my mom know about night clubs ?”
“Nothing – but she’s a brilliant lawyer who loves Helena and wont let her get duped. Plus its different for her. And if your mom gives you hassle about the MBA – you can tell her that you can tap into the student crowd for Helena’s club “
Tina sighed “I am over-reacting “
“We are just guessing – its funny that Shane didn’t think for a minute that they were seen together because they are sleeping together “
Tina took Bette’s hand and kissed it
“I guess we should wait and see “
“You have done really well with supporting them “
Tina smiled “I want her to be happy and Helena makes her happy “
“Do you think they would ever live together ?” Bette asked
Tina considered the question
“I don’t know – mom wouldn’t want to sell her apartment “
“Not that they have to but I am curious – its obviously going well “
Tina lent over and kissed Bette “I am glad – now kiss me properly now I live with you “

++

Helena yawned
“Sleeping during the day is not the best cure for jetlag “
Emma looked up from where she was sitting working at her laptop. They had been back in the country from their long Thanksgiving weekend for about 10 hours now. Helena had spent most of the time asleep – Emma had made a pot of coffee and was catching up on emails.
“You sure its jetlag ?” Emma asked
Helena got up and stretched her body out “What’s that supposed to mean ?”
“Nothing “ Emma laughed
Helena walked across to the drinks tray and poured two gin and tonics. She added extra gin to both glasses and returned to Emma. Emma was wearing jeans and a short sleeve blouse that showed the tan she had got.
“No answer – no gin “ Helena held the glass above Emma’s head
Emma looked up and smiled “How many of those did you have on the plane ?”
“One or two “
“I hope that’s not an example of your accounting skills “ Emma replied looking back at her emails
“Meaning ?”
“Give me the drink and I’ll tell you “
Helena sat down and kissed Emma “ You are the only person who can turn the tables on me like that “
“I know “ Emma returned the kiss “Do I get the drink ?”
Helena handed Emma the glass – she lent back on the sofa and started to trace the area of Emma’s lower back that was exposed as she was leaning forward.
Emma took a sip of the gin and coughed
“Are you out of tonic ?”
“After the cocktails I watched you drink on holiday Emma I wouldn’t be hinting that you cannot hold your drink – I know different “
“Do you want to know what’s been happening in the real world while we have been getting a tan and drinking a lot ?”
“Not really but I just know that you will tell me “
Emma turned and faced Helena
“Your offer was accepted “
“WHAT !!! “
“Subject to contracts being signed and exchanged – you have the start of your empire”
“Wow – that’s fantastic “
Helena sat forward and Emma opened the email that contained the acceptance of the offer for the nightclub chain of 3 that Helena had bought out of administration at a very low price.
“You have your 3 clubs “
“Fuck – that was so quick – did you have anything to do with how fast that’s been accepted ?”
“I know someone at the administrators – I just made a call and pointed out that my client has impeccable financial credentials. The money we were offering is guaranteed. They might get a better offer but were they going to wait that long or take the risk with some less than savoury characters. “
“You didn’t tell me “
“I wanted it to be a surprise”
Helena shook her head “You are amazing “
Helena put her drink down and touched Emma on the face
“Totally fucking amazing “
Their lips touched and the kiss was soft and passionate. Helena shook her head
“I have never met anyone like you “
“Being an old fart is an advantage “
“Being awesome is what is the advantage – when can we sign the contracts ?”
“They will send me the contracts when I get in touch with them”
“Let me know when they arrive and I will come over and sign “
“No” Emma put her finger on Helena’s nose “You will sign nothing until I read the contracts – I don’t want there be to any nasty surprises. “
“I thought you knew the administrator “
“Just because I know him doesn’t mean I trust him”
“I cannot wait to get started “
“It will be fun “
“It will be awesome – I think when we open the first club we should invite my mother”
“It would be good for you to tell her yourself “
“I might just do that – what about you – when are you going to tell Tina ?”
Emma smiled “Depends when she tells me she is going back to school “
“I think that you will be the one giving her the shock “
Emma picked up her gin and tonic “Telling her that her mother has gone into the night club business with her lover will certainly trump whatever Tina has to tell me”