**
Despite Tina’s misgivings and her admonishments the meal was delicious. She had clearly done a little research because for desert she brought out the most enormous bowl of trifle
“Oh Emma “ Bette said “That looks awesome “
“Trifle ?” Tina raised an eyebrow at her mother
“Double thickness of jelly, sponge soaked in rum and lots of fruit and of course custard “
Bette clapped Emma
“You have been talking to my mother “
“I did ask her what you would really love for desert “
“Now – if you had told me what was for sweet I wouldn’t have had anything else”
Emma put the bowl down and smiled
“I will just go and get the bowls “
She left the room leaving Bette still looking in admiration at the trifle
“That is a Empire State Building of a trifle “ she looked at Tina” Do you like trifle ?”
“I do – I also saw the mess she made preparing it “
“Tina “
Tina smiled “I know – she’s really making an effort “
“You told me to give her a chance and maybe you shouldn’t worry about what a mess she is making – maybe that’s what she needs “
Tina nodded “She is a great cook – I have so many memories of huge dinner parties in here with both of them cooking. When we had staff picnics she would cook for days – and she would say that mom had made the food or me “
“She thinks it a form of weakness ?”
“She is very aware that she is the top dog in a law firm that is growing its profits that outstrips most of the others in the city – she doesn’t think she can take her eye off the ball “
“Pointless earning all that money unless you have time to spend it “
“You seem to have found the right balance “
“I don’t pay the wages of hundreds of people like your mom – there is just James and I – we do okay “
“I guess so – its just that mom had a focus outside the office when my mother was alive – its been too easy for her to lose herself in work again “
Bette took Tina’s hand and kissed it “Maybe mom and Peggy will find her someone who can help her enjoy her time off “
Emma returned with three bowls and offered the ladle to Bette
“Would you like to serve up ?”
“Oh Emma – its such a work of art “
“Pointless unless you eat it “
Bette stood up and started to dish out the trifle “This is great Emma “
“I hope it tastes as good as it looks “
“I am sure that it will “
And it did – Bette was very expressive in her appreciation and all three women ate in relative silence. Tina went and got the coffee and the three women relaxed in their seats
“That was one hell of a meal “ Bette pronounced “Thank you Emma”
“Delighted that you have both enjoyed it all – I did have a lot of fun. I might invite your mom and dad over some weekend and cook for them “
“You are very good “ Bette said
“And if Bette says that she means it “
“I was brought up on my mother’s cooking “
“I am nowhere near as good a cook as Rosemary but it would be fun to cook for her “
“Keep it up mom and you can impress your new woman “
Emma chuckled “I am looking forward to seeing who Peggy and Rosemary come up with “
“Would you like me to give them any specific instructions ? “ Bette asked “I have to warn you that they will be trawling from a large pool. I am not sure which one of them has the bigger address book – you might end up with a high end millionaire with Peggy or a writer if its mom’s choice “
“I don’t mind “
Bette had wondered one thing – she pulled at her hair
“I eh – hesitate to ask you this but – would you like a blonde or not ? I know that Kate was and I can understand if you don’t “ Bette trailed off
“As long as she is interesting and kind and can put up with a crabby old bag that I can be I don’t mind “
Tina smiled – her mom really was trying and she felt a tremendous surge of love for her. Tina lent over and kissed her. Bette smiled – that was nice – she was delighted that Tina’s relationship with her mother was improving
“Thank you Tina “
“Thank you mom “ Tina said “Do you have that picture for Bette”
Emma grinned “Thank you for reminding me Tina”
She got up and disappeared – Bette sighed
“I am utterly stuffed with food – will you roll me home later “
“Of course – can I stay with you tonight ?”
“You don’t have to ask “ Bette replied. Emma returned and handed Bette a flat parcel complete with a red bow
“For you “
“Emma ! – thank you “
“Thank you for putting such a huge smile on my daughter’s face “ Emma said sitting down again. Bette carefully opened the gift and laughed. In a beautiful silver picture frame was a picture of her parents. What was new for Bette was Melvin’s huge afro cut
“Is that a wig ?”
“No – he was trying to impress your mother “
“Wow – I never knew “
“I found it the other day when Tina and I were looking at pictures of her mom. I think that might be one of the first photographs of your parents “
“Really ?”
“I was trying to fix a time line in my head – I might have to talk to them but I cannot find a picture of them together taken sooner than that one “
“Oh wow – thank you so much Emma “
“I had it enlarged a little bit and found the frame when I was shopping “
Bette noticed the frame – it was the real thing – beautiful craftsmanship and real silver and not just silver plated. She looked up and the older woman looked at her and smiled
“I thought it might look nice on your desk at work “
“It will – thank you “
Bette got up and kissed Emma on the brow “Thank you Emma “
Tina beamed – that was a moment that she had dreamed about Jane and her mom had not been friends – more like open season enemies so this was such a new thing for her to have.
Bette returned to her seat and beamed again at the picture
“I cannot wait to show this to dad – god wait until Helena sees it “
“More trifle Bette ?”
Bette looked at the trifle
“It really pains me to say this Emma but if I eat one more thing my trousers will explode from the pressure my stomach is putting on them – there is only so much strain material can take “
“Nonsense – you are very slim – both of you are – and you have lost weight Tina “
“I was eating junk and not doing any exercise – I needed the motivation that meeting Bette gave me “
“Nothing like worrying about being naked in front of your girlfriend to spur on that diet “
Bette laughed at the look on Tina’s face.
“I didn’t have a problem “ Bette replied smiling
“Are you going to embarrass me ?” Tina asked
“Well I have had all sorts of indignations dished out by my mother and father so any time you want to tell me what a terror Tina was you have an audience in me “
Emma looked at Tina
“What would you really not like me to tell her ?”
“Mom ! “
“There is so much “ Emma carried on
“Tell me ANYTHING “
“Mom – don’t you dare “
“Of course if someone was to stop picking on me about washing up I might be persuaded to forget a lot of things that I could tell your nice new girlfriend “
Bette was laughing harder “I think that is game, set and match to E Kennard”
“You are a bad person “ Tina said
“I know – I sold my soul to Beelzebub a long time ago. I have done way worse than blackmail my daughter – so you can forget trying to appeal to my better nature because as you know darling I do not have one”
“Okay- okay – and I will go and load the dishwasher for you as well “
“Thank you darling “
“I will help “ Bette said
“No – its okay Bette “ the blonde got up and collected some empty glasses and went into the kitchen
“That was mean “ Bette said
“I know “ Emma lent behind her and took a picture from the side table “And she should know that I never keep my word – here’s a picture of Tina that she really wont want you to see “
“That’s mean”
“She knows that its an act and I hope that you do too – I worship my daughter Bette and I couldn’t be happier that she is with you “