**
Helena had been debating whether to send out her PA to get her some lunch but instead she decided to nip out herself. She was deep in thought about Emma Kennard as she queued for her sushi lunch and returned to the office. She was just standing waiting for the elevator when she glanced to one side and saw she was next to Tina
“Afternoon “ Tina said – she was wearing a black trouser suit and pink blouse and carrying a briefcase
“Hello “ Helena said – well this was going to be interesting – was Tina as cool about her relationship with her mother as she had told Emma ? Well Helena was about to find out.
“You okay ?” Tina said as the elevator arrived and they waited for the four people to leave it – they filed in along with three other people.
“Fine – you ?”
“Yeah “
Helena wanted to ask Tina if she was okay about what her mother had told her but she didn’t want to discuss her business with an audience witnessing the conversation. So it was an uncomfortable few minutes as the elevator rose and by the time it arrived at Helena and Tina’s floor they were alone. Helena faced Tina
“I guess we better talk “
Tina nodded and followed Helena to her office. Helena sat on the long sofa that dominated one wall and looked at the blonde – it really was startling how like her mother Tina looked.
Tina sat down and tried not to smile – Helena was looking anxious which Tina found amusing
“How’s my mother ?” Tina asked
“She is fine “
Tina stifled a smile – yeah – I bet she is.
“I guess you must have been surprised about Emma and I “
“Understatement of the year”
“I really get on well with her “
Tina nodded “She is very sweet once she lets down her barriers and she does have a lot of them. I was surprised because you two seemed at war over Bette and I “
“We were – she said some stuff about Bette that I really didn’t like but I can see that she genuinely is happy for the two of you “
“She is – we all got off on the wrong foot and maybe stringing her along wasn’t the best possible strategy on our part. But it is all in the past and her and Bette are getting on well”
“I can see that – she speaks very warmly of Bette “
“Better than you do at the moment ?” Tina teased gently
“You heard ?”
“She says she was not very nice to you “
“No – she was not “
“She worries that when you and my mother stop seeing one another I will take it out on you and make things hard for her “
“I can see her point but she went over the top “
“She sees that now – you two should talk – I would hate to see the two of you fall out “
“I know why she is upset and I did spring it on her – but if anyone has a beef with me – its you “
Tina admired Helena’s honesty – she regarded Helena – of course she could see what her mother saw in the beautiful brunette.
“I don’t have an issue with this “ Tina replied holding out her hands
“You would have a right to “
“Why ? Are you forcing her into doing something that she doesn’t want to ?”
“No – of course not “
“Are you treating each other with respect ?”
“Yes “
Tina gestured again “So why should I have a problem ?”
“Everyone else does “
“Just Bette ?”
“My mother has an opinion “
“Does Peggy have no opinion on anything ?”
“Not to my knowledge “
“Poor you – look Helena -yes I am surprised and you are not the woman I would have picked if I had been match making for her. But she is her own woman and she has been living in isolation for a long time. I know she used to be a player – maybe that was why she disliked Bette at first but she did have a lot of women before my mom. I can deal with that – I couldn’t deal with knowing if she cheated on mom – I would have your guts if Kate was still alive but she isn’t and I want my mom to be happy and if you two are having fun then its got nothing to do with Peggy, Bette or me. Just look after her – she might seem strong but she has a vulnerability that she finds it almost impossible to let anyone see “
Helena was unbelievable relieved that Tina was being so cool – she nodded at her
“Thank you Tina “
“Just like my mom couldn’t dictate who I fell for – I can’t dictate who she dates, sleeps with or whatever”
“I do treat her with respect “ Helena said
“Then you and I are fine “
“And will you feel the same if it ends “
“IF ?” Tina said smiling
“You know what I mean “
“I do – don’t worry about Bette – she is just worried that I will blame her “
“Will you ?”
“Of course not – my mother is a supremely intelligent woman and almost everything she does is ruled by her head not her heart. It will do her no harm to just have some lust in her life”
Helena shook her head “Thank you – it must be strange for you – I know there must be some hilarity because of the difference in our ages “
“Its not like you to be defensive or to worry about what anyone thinks about what you do. I know that the two of you are sleeping together but I really don’t need to think about or hear about what the two of you are doing in bed. I may be liberal and cool about it but she is still my mother. “ Tina stood up “Just take care of her and enjoy yourselves “
Helena stood up “I didn’t set out for this to happen “
“I know – I better go – I have a tele conference in 15 minutes “
Helena held out her hand – it meant a lot to her to have this conversation with Tina. Tina took Helena’s hand and they looked at one another for a few seconds
“I promise you that I will not hurt her “
Tina nodded “That’s all I ask for “
Helena waited until Tina left and walked back to her desk and pressed the intercom linking her to her PA
“Kim – I want to send some flowers and find out where our plane is at the moment – I want it for lunchtime on Friday ”