IS THIS LOVE

CHAPTER 73

“What did you just say ?” Bette said after looking at Helena for a few seconds in total amazement
Helena brushed a couple of pieces of imaginary fluff from her sweater and looked at Bette
“Emma and I spent the night together “
“You both passed out ?”
“No “
Bette crossed her arms “Explain “
“Well for a while I have found that she catches my eye and we have met a couple of times at things “
“Things ?”
“Events you know “
“What sort of events ?”
“I took her to an AIDS benefit when you and Tina were in Vegas “
“WHAT ! “ Bette regretted shouting – she was so not up to shouting
“I needed someone to take along and you two were playing strip poker so when I bumped into her in Starbucks I asked her and she said yes “
“This was planned ?”
“Well no – but there is something there “
Bette’s headache was throbbing twice as hard as it had been a few minutes earlier
“Let me get this right – you and Tina’s mom had been seeing one another “
“Our paths cross – usually when its some charity event that I would usually just invite your parents and maybe James to – well it seemed rude not to invite her along to things “
“You hated her after that big event a few months ago “
“She was in a bad place and I know that her and Tina have sorted things out and the two of them are getting on well and so are you and her “
“Last night ?”
Helena did look briefly sheepish “Well that might have been just one of those nights when things happen “
“Straight answer here Helena – have you and Emma “ she paused “Have you and Emma had sex ?”
“Yes – several times and she’s extremely good “
“HELENA ! “
“Well you wanted an honest answer – Emma and I went to bed together last night and we fucked a few times and this morning she was more than up for a repeat – I just left her at her office “
Bette looked at her watch – it was well after lunchtime
“You and Emma have made love SOBER ?”
“Several times “
“This isn’t happening – this is just not happening – I am still drunk or I am hallucinating”
“Afraid not Bette “
“Are you seeing her again ?”
“Tonight – we are going to dinner “
“Oh God “
“Bette – relax “
“RELAX – you and my partner’s mother !! How the fucking hell can I relax ?”
“Because its no big deal “
“Helena you have to end it “
“I no intention of ending it – she’s really good to be with – we have a good laugh – we argue a lot about politics and aspects of law. Bette – I am so fucking bored of dating women who look hot but have nothing between their ears. I might be more interested in what is between their legs but if there is nothing up top my interest is going to wane very quickly. Emma is different “
“Yes – different as in closer to Peggy’s age than yours – what the hell is Tina going to say ?”
“We have talked about that “
“TALKED !! – Helena – Tina is going to have to be scrapped off the ceiling – you are fucking her mother – oh God – did you two fuck in her bed ?”
“No – they have a spare room – she asked if I minded and of course I didn’t – I am not totally without sensitivity Bette “
“This is just not happening “
“It is “
“Are you the reason she dumped Val ?”
“I have no idea – when she started seeing Val I was happy to take a back seat but I wasn’t unhappy when I found out that she had ended things “
“She told us that she had ended it because she wasn’t ready for the physical side of a relationship “
“Well that was a lie darling because she was more than ready last night and as for this morning – well her stamina is very good. She went down on me “
“STOP – I do not want to hear the details of who went down on who – that is way out of line”
“We have often compared notes on sex “
“Yes – but this is my lover’s mother “
“As you wish – I am telling you because we don’t want any secrets “
“You are planning to tell Tina ?”
“Yes “
“Oh God – seriously ? “
“Yes – we talked over breakfast this morning and she knows that she will find out or we will run into one another. So we are being up front and she is going to tell her “
“When ?”
“I have no idea – that’s up to her “
“You have told me before she has told Tina “
“I hope that you understand that Emma would like to be the one who tells Tina – you need to keep your mouth shut “
“Helena – you have done some fucking insane things but this is way off the end of the scale – you and Emma have nothing in common “
“I beg to differ – she is intelligent and has a good sense of humour – we get on well “
“There is no future for the two of you “
“Who cares about a future Bette – we are having fun – we are not trying to be the two of you – we know that you two are life partners – we do not want to be life partners – we are having fun – she has had precious little of that since Kate died “
“She’s still vulnerable “
“She is not a piece of china Bette – she is a strong and very successful woman – do not treat her like she is “
“She lost her wife “
“And that was over three years ago – she is ready to move on – Tina has moved on “
Bette glared at Helena “This is going to go wrong Helena and she is going to get hurt and it will be down to you”
“Oh Bette – your hangover is obviously making you grumpy – stop being such a fucking killjoy – Emma and I are hurting no one- neither of us are involved with anyone else. I have promised her nothing and she has promised me nothing. We are going to have fun – fun ? Do you remember that – you have become very predictable since you fell in love with Tina. You are far too young to be so domesticated – answer me this – who are we hurting ?”
Bette shook her head “I know you – I have seen that no woman is enough for you”
“I expected you to be shocked and I appreciate that its come as a surprise – the way it happened has surprised me but I would like you to give us a chance – that’s all we are asking. Given the way that I have supported you and Tina I would think that it is the least that I can hope for “
Bette sighed – well that was a valid point – she did have to let this insane relationship take its course. She rubbed her neck – she desperately needed to have a snooze but there was too much work to do and she could rarely leave a full inbox unattended.
“Very well – but I warn you that you and Emma have nothing in common and when you get sick of her – which you will – very quickly you will let her down gently – I am not going to referee a fight between you and Tina “