“I would take a drink if I were you – my mother has been drinking since lunchtime – I am not sure how much sense Tina will be getting out of her “
“Be fair Helena – Peggy works best after a few drinks “
“If only because 100% sober is such an alien condition to her “
Helena poured herself a large vodka and added the smallest splash of tonic to it and sampled it. Finding it had too much tonic she splashed more vodka in it
“You sure ?”
“No thanks “
Helena sat down “So Emma and CSI lesbian are no more “
“Seemingly – Tina’s comment was that her mother just needed to have a few glasses of wine and see if her investigation of women skills had changed much “
“Does it bother her ?”
“That Emma is dating ? No – she’s delighted”
“That’s good because it can be a little odd when a parent starts dating someone other than the other parent”
“Speaking from experience ?”
“Yes – I hated it – I hated seeing her with men “
“You were very much younger than Tina is “
“True – but it’s a good thing that Tina is well adjusted – it can be awkward “
“Well we never saw anything between Val and Emma – they didn’t even hold hands in Tina’s presence “
“How would you feel if your parents starting dating other people “
“That’s hardly likely is it “ Bette said “But if something happened to one of them I would hope that I could see the other one find someone “
“Its to Tina’s credit that she’s cool about it “
“It is – she’s amazing “
“You two okay ?”
“Great “
“How long has it been now ?”
“Six months in a couple of weeks”
“You planning any celebrations ?”
“I don’t know – what do you think ?”
“I think engagement rings have come into the mix with other women you have lasted this long with “
Bette sighed “Its weird “”
“What is ?”
“Six months feels like sixty – and for some reason I just know she is the one for me – I think I always have “
“Yes “
“So giving her a ring and doing the whole proposal thing seems less important – its like we have already got this unspoken agreement that when the time is right we are going to start living together and maybe have some sort of ceremony “
“Meaning she’s got you so you are less insecure “
“Well she doesn’t whore around and she’s never come onto you “
“No – I have to say that she hasn’t come close to jumping my bones “
Bette smiled
“Does she know that one of your exes used to try and get me into bed fairly regularly ?”
“No “”
“Why have you not told her ?”
“Because I don’t want it to affect things between the two of you – it means a lot to me that you two do get on well “
“My integrity has never been in question “
“No and I don’t want her to think that I am questioning hers because of what has happened in the past. I will tell her “
The door bell rang
“Well as that is unlikely to be my mother I assume that’s its Rosemary and Melvin or Emma”
“You want me to get the door ?”
“Would you -this seat and this vodka are a lovely combination “
Bette got up laughing and walked through to the front door. It was her parents
“Hia “
“Bette “
“Hello mom – hello dad – you both look great – nice tie pop “
“Firstly do not call me pop and secondly this tie is a result of a bet I lost with your mother”
Bette laughed “Its interesting “
“I am hoping that at the least it makes Peggy laugh “
“I think a tie with little condom men on it will be the talk of the evening – can I take your coat mom ?”
“Thank you sweetie – how are you ? – are we last to arrive ?”
“No – Peggy is with Tina – I suspect Tina is trying to drag her home and Emma isn’t here yet”
Bette closed the door and lead her parents through to the sitting room. Helena was adding more vodka to her drink when they walked in
“Wow Melvin – awesome tie “
Melvin shook his head “ I am going to hear about nothing else but this tie am I ?”
“No- let me look at it “
Helena walked across and examined the tie and looked up at the man wearing it
“Only you could STILL look dignified in that tie Melvin “ she kissed his brow “And that deserves a drink “
“Thank you Helena “
Bette put her arm around her mom “There is a mean streak about you isn’t there mom ?”
“I have my moments “ Rosemary said laughing – she lowered her voice “I wouldn’t have made him wear it but he insisted “
“He is a man of honour my father “ Bette said “How are things ?”
“They are good – how’s Tina doing in her new job ?”
“Helena says she is delighted with her – so is Peggy “
“Is she Peggy’s body-guard at the moment ?”
“I think she has taken it on herself to get her home “
At that moment the front door banged and Bette went into the hall as Peggy and Tina arrived. Bette grinned – she loved seeing Tina in business clothes – she was wearing a black trouser suit and a white shirt. She looked unflustered by having a slightly inebriated Peggy on her arm
“Bette – I am so delighted with this girl – she is just a delight “
“I know she is – how are you Peggy ?”
“21 again darling – 21 again “
Bette laughed and helped Peggy to remove her jacket.
“You look amazing “ Bette assured her winking at Tina
“I know I do darling – are all my guests here ?”
“Just waiting for Emma “
“Yes – Tina was telling me she had ended things with her policewoman “
“Crime Scene investigator “ Tina said explaining things
“That as well – I shall go and freshen up before I greet my guests “
Peggy disappeared through a door down the corridor leaving Bette and Tina alone. Bette pulled Tina close and kissed her on the mouth
“And how was your afternoon with Peggy ? – did you get anything done ?”
“We did – she’s not that drunk “
“She can keep a clear head when all around her are passing out -just keep that in mind “
“You and Helena both told me that very early on – we had a long discussion about the whole process of checking the validity of the applications we get and we talked about tightening things up and maybe changing how we view smaller requests “
“In other words the report you wrote at the weekend “
“Yes – I didn’t think she had read it but she had – and she grasped it in great detail “
“Peggy may like to look like she is an old soak but she’s razor sharp – I would say that the only woman I know who could give her a run for her money in terms of being clued in is your mom “
“Yeah – I was thinking that “
Bette kissed Tina again “And how is my favourite girl ?”
“Better for seeing you “
They kissed again – Tina squeezed Bette’s ass and slowly moved her hand round and touched the crotch of her trousers
“Tina ! “
“Just checking “
Bette laughed and kissed her again “You are very bad “
“You wouldn’t have me any other way “
“No – no I wouldn’t “
Tina touched Bette’s face “Is that better ?”
“Its safer – later okay ?”
“I will hold you to that “
Bette was just slipping her tongue into Tina’s mouth again when the door bell sounded again and they were forced apart
“That will be your mom “ Bette said
Tina nodded and opened the door. She had to admit that her mother was not looking too upset about the end of the relationship
“Hello girls – you two look like you have been kissing ! “
Tina blushed and Bette laughed
“I can see this being some evening – come in Emma – let me take your jacket – you both MUST see my father’s tie – he lost a bet with my mother “
“And he’s wearing a tie ?” Tina said puzzled
“You need to see the tie – that’s all I am saying “
“I look forward to it – lead the way Bette “
Bette smiled – she had a feeling this was going to be one hell of a night – everyone seemed in the mood to really let their hair down and add to that Peggy’s legendary hospitality that could only mean FUN.