**

Peggy had shown up early to her lunchtime appointment – she wondered if Emma would appear and she was also curious as to what Rosemary Porter made of the whole business about the relationship between Helena and Emma. The more she thought about it the more she couldn’t see it end any other way than badly. Peggy had just ordered an Irish coffee when Rosemary Porter walked in. Peggy ordered a coffee for Rosemary and waited for her friend to join her. Rosemary removed her jacket and sat down. Rosemary smiled
“Cupid is obviously moving in mysterious ways at the moment “
Peggy nodded “It would seem so – my daughter and Emma Kennard “
“Yes “ Rosemary said “Obviously impressed by her success with my daughter and Tina Cupid is getting clever “
“You think its clever “
“I think its odd “
“Tactful remark “
“You would expect nothing less from me “
“Seriously Rosemary – what do you make of it ?”
“I was genuinely shocked when Bette told me and I still am “
“I was furious “
“Why ? “
Peggy didn’t want to tell Rosemary that she believed that Helena was missing the closeness of her usual relationship with Bette. She had always hoped deep down that there would be some incident that switched Bette and Helena from best friends to lovers. That had always been a remote dream – with Tina around it was never going to happen.
“I just think its folly – what on earth does Helena see in Emma ?”
Rosemary smiled – well that was one of the things that she had said
“Melvin was less shocked than I thought he would be “
“Why ?”
“He pointed out that one of the things that Emma has in abundance is charisma – Helena is the same of course. But few women have the sort of personality that Emma does – at University she was one of the most noticeable women on campus – not because of her looks – though she was beautiful but because she had a very compelling personality . When she bothers to turn the charm on there are few lesbians who resist her “
“Not something I have noticed “ Peggy said coolly
“But you and I are not straight males or gay women – maybe only Helena can see that side to her “
“I have no idea what Helena is thinking of “
“Helena is the only person to answer that but I would say that Emma is different from her usual round of bimbos and models. “
Peggy sniffed dismissively
“I know that you must be shocked Peggy but give them a chance “
“CHANCE ! – the two of them are not going to last longer than a week “
“Well then why are you worried about them then – let the week pass and if you are right they will go their separate ways “
“There is no way you think it’s a good idea that they hook up ?”
“I think they would both be better off with other women – yes closer to their own ages but Melvin pointed out that for once maybe Helena is looking for mental stimulation “
“MENTAL STIMULATION ! “
Rosemary smiled “ Peggy – please don’t shout – that isn’t helping anyone least of all you “
Peggy took several deep breaths and smiled
“Sorry – I just want the best for my daughter – just like you do “
“I am really thrilled about Bette and Tina but you and I know that Bette has gone through a lot of women before she met the woman that I really believe is destined to be her life partner.”
“And you think there is any universe in which Helena’s life partner is the mother of Bette’s life partner ?”
“No – but she is different – she isn’t a model who is dimmer than a broken light bulb. At least Helena and Emma can have conversations about a subject other than shoes “
“I still think both of them have gone mad “
“So – have you never gone mad with a man ?”
Peggy exhaled
“Of course I have – you know I lose my heart to some younger man at least once a year”
“So -why is what Emma and Helena doing any different ?”
“It just is “
“Peggy – the one thing that Helena has inherited from you is stubbornness – if you want to break them up this is not the way to do it “
“You think it will last longer than a week ?”
“I think it will last as long as it is destined to. Look beyond when the relationship is over – is this worth damaging your relationship with your daughter ?”
“No “
“Then let it take whatever course it is going to “
Rosemary looked up as Emma walked into the café bar. She walked across and sat down and looked at both women. She had come to really value spending time with Rosemary and Peggy – this new event was in danger of putting that in jeopardy.
“Okay girls – lets get this out of the way – give it to me with both barrels Peggy “