**

“Here are Bette and Tina “Peggy was sitting at her table with Helena beside her. Helena looked up from the notes of the speech she was going to make and watched as Bette and Tina walked down the stairway together
“It’s been nearly four months and Bette still hasn’t lost that goofy smile “
“Are you surprised?”
“No – Bette is devoted to Tina and its mutual “
“How are you getting on with Tina?”
Helena looked at her mother
“Meaning?”
“You wouldn’t be human if you weren’t missing Bette “
“I do still see her – and Tina as well. Tina is a friend and I like her “
Peggy raised an eyebrow at her daughter
“No jealousy?”
“No – Bette’s never been happier and I have seen her so miserable in the past – it’s a really nice sight to see how content she is. Tina’s great and she doesn’t try and keep Bette and I apart – she sees how strong the bond is between Bette and I and she’s secure enough not to be threatened by it”
“That is mature of you “
Helena smiled “Well Tina is a fact of life now isn’t she – I can’t see anything that is going to stop them being a permanent couple and I am happy for both of them – they click “
“Geraldine Morrison told me last week she will not be able to carry on looking through the grant applications two days a week like she has for so long “
“Shame – any reason?”
“She’s not that healthy – she did hint to me last year that she wasn’t up to carrying on much longer – it’s a shame – she’s a nice woman “
“Any replacements?” Helena asked
Peggy very deliberately looked across at Tina and Bette who had stopped to take a glass of champagne. Helena looked at her mother
“Really ?”
“Yes – she would be an asset to us “
“Did you read her grant application?”
“I did – on your recommendation “
“My assumption was that she got Bette to write it but apparently all Bette did was change some words and slightly alter the structure of it “
“It’s not an easy talent writing a grant application – especially for a first timer”
“So, you are set on offering her Geraldine’s role?”
“You think I am wrong?”
Helena considered the question
“No – I think you are very wise in doing so – you know that she is leaving the center?”
“Really – why?”
“Rosemary helped her get an interview for a job in a bookstore – its only part time”
“And she got it?”
“Walked it by the account of her very proud girlfriend “
Peggy took her glass of champagne and sipped at it thoughtfully
“Am I right in thinking that part time bookstore work pays only slightly better than working for a community center?”
“I wouldn’t know but I don’t imagine that she will be much better off “
“So, if you were me would you offer her this part time role for the Foundation ?”
“I would – she is more likely to take the job once she has no ties to one particular organization “
Peggy nodded “Excellent – I will speak to her either tonight or tomorrow.”
Helena smiled – it would be good to have Tina on board and she did have an insight into charitable organizations from a different angle to anyone else. As she had said to her mother – Tina was now a fact of life. She was Bette’s partner – probably Bette’s life partner and therefore she needed to be accepted.
Helena got up and started to make her way down the room towards Bette and Tina. Helena had spotted a couple of Bette’s exes. She wondered how Tina and Bette would deal with any situation
“Hello darlings “Helena greeted them
“Hello Helena “
“Helena “
Bette and Helena embraced then Helena hugged Tina
“You two look very nice “
“You don’t look bad yourself “Bette said “You scrub up well “
“Because I got to dictate who sat where I have got you two closes to mom and I “
“What about Rosemary and Emma?” Tina asked
“You two are on our table and your moms are next to you “
Helena smiled – she had thought about putting Tina’s mom away from Bette and Tina because she knew how much apathy existed between the two main women in Tina’s life.
“Hello Bette “
Bette looked at the woman who was standing in front of her – damn – one of her exes. The blonde was over six-foot-tall in high heels – she was barely wearing a shimmering black dress. Her breasts were very prominent, Bette put her arm around Tina’s waist
“Hello Liz “
“I was wondering why I hadn’t seen you around “
“I have been busy “
Liz looked at Tina- her look was returned with a cool and assured look from the blonde
“Hello I am Tina – I’m Bette’s partner “
This remark threw Liz – she looked at Bette and at the confident woman who was holding Bette by the waist.
“Hello – I am Liz McConnell “
“I am Tina Kennard “Tina introduced herself and offered the other woman her hand. They shook hands politely. Bette wasn’t sure how to handle the situation -that was obvious to Helena who was amused by Bette’s expression.
“Sorry to drag the two of them away Liz but my mother wants a word – nice to see you “
Helena lead Bette and Tina away and soon they were several feet away from Liz
“Did you think Bette handled that well?” Helena said to Tina
Tina laughed “Now you mention it – no “
“What?”
Bette looked at Tina and Helena “What?”
“You handled that so well Porter “Tina added
“Eh – did I do something wrong?”
“It’s okay “Tina said “You owe Helena “
“Do I?”
“That woman was almost eating you with her eyes “Tina said
“Nah – she dropped me”
“Still doesn’t stop her wanting you now – on a plate with an apple in your mouth “
Tina snorted
“I didn’t notice “Bette said
“You have to know Tina that Bette really is only interested in you “
“I know that “
“What did I do wrong?”
“Well I know that Tina is capable of speaking for herself but I would have said that it was up to you to introduce Tina as your woman “
Bette looked at Tina “Am I in trouble?”
“No “Tina laughed “But don’t let it happen again “
“Sorry “
“It’s okay “
“Did you recognize Liz? “Helena asked Tina
“She looked familiar “
“She was in the last Elizabeth Arden TV campaign “
Tina looked at Helena then at Bette
“You are kidding me?”
Bette shook her head “She was “
“Fuck – no shit ?”
“No “Helena confirmed
“Wow” Tina turned and looked at the woman and she looked back at Bette
“You didn’t tell me “
“You didn’t ask “Bette replied “It’s no big deal – I dated her about 17 months ago “
Tina looked at Bette for a few seconds before greeting Peggy who had come towards them
“Hello Peggy – this is some party “
“Do you like the venue?”
“I do – its lovely”
“My daughter arranges a party like no one else I know – hello Bette darling – you two look lovely “
“Thank you – great turn out as usual Peggy “
“Most people know not to turn down an invitation to one of my events – Tina darling would you spare me a few minutes for a chat in private?”
Tina looked at Peggy “Of course “
“I will look after Bette for you “
“I know “
Peggy guided Tina away from the main area of the party. Helena and Bette exchanged looks
“What is that all about?”
“Just a business proposal “
“Do I find out what ?”
“It’s up to Tina “
“Did I do wrong with Liz just there?”
“As she said you should have introduced her – I know that you are proud of your woman – show it “
Bette nodded “I just didn’t think “
“Well it just takes getting used to – you have been singling a long time “
“Well I am sure you do everything else right “
“Not sure “Bette saw her mother and Emma coming towards them
“Why ?”
“Well from her mom’s face it looks like she was the last to find out that her daughter had got a new job “
“Is Tina in trouble ?”
“I think Tina is in trouble but from the look on her face she blames me as well – looks like I am on a great losing streak tonight – find me something stronger than champagne Helena “