IS THIS LOVE

CHAPTER 77

“Before this conversation starts lets a/ order some food and b/ remember that we are mature and sensible women so lets be civilised and treat each other with respect “
Rosemary said “It is unedifying for women to squabble and I can see that passions are running high here. So take your coat off Emma and I think its your turn to pay so you can go to the counter “
The practicalities of having lunch together and selecting dishes from the menu quickly took over and Emma walked across to the bar feeling less pumped up than she had been as she had made her way to the meeting. Peggy was watching her and shaking her head
“Peggy “ Rosemary said “Hear her out – it’s the least you can do and give her credit for facing you out. She has to know from Helena how cross you are about this “
“She has some cheek “
“No -she has courage – that’s one thing that Emma has always had and she still has it. Peggy – this is not like you – please take it easy and let her have her say “
Peggy sighed – what was this about. At first she had been quick to put it down to Helena feeling left out because of Bette and Tina’s very intense relationship but she was beginning to worry that maybe it would become something more than just a fling. Emma came back and sat down.
“I would rather you said anything you have to say to my face – both of you “
“Okay – lets just say that I was surprised when Bette told me “
“Bette was vile to Helena “ Emma said “So I imagine that the version you heard was less than positive “
“Bette is not vile “ Rosemary flushed
“Bette was in Helena’s words – a real bitch to her about it and it hurt her. I know that it has been a shock but Helena has been hurt by her mother and her best friend’s reactions”
“Can you blame us ?” Peggy retorted “Just how much older are you than her ?”
“27 years “ Emma replied “ A whole other adult older than her “
“And that doesn’t strike you as wrong ?” Peggy demanded
“It doesn’t strike me as anything Peggy because I am having a good time and so is Helena. I don’t know why everyone is so worked up. it’s a fling – we are having a good time and that’s all that it is. I like Helena and we get on well and we are having fun. Do you know the last time I had FUN ?”
“If you want fun get a kitten – do not use my daughter “
Emma laughed “When was the last time that anyone used Helena ? Has it escaped your attention that she is with me at the moment because she wants to be ? Peggy – I know you don’t see me as a future daughter in law – you know what – neither do I. I think a lot of people are getting worked up about something that is a fling – a silly little affair. “
“No one wants you to get hurt Emma – you have been through a lot “
“I have – the fact is that every day in New York – every day in America someone loses their partner- it’s a horrible fact of life. And nothing will ever stop me loving Kate and honouring her memory but you cannot grieve forever – you have to move on and of course I don’t think for a minute that Helena and I are life partners – we are having sex for fucks sake. Its just sex “
Peggy winched at the comment but she had to admit that Emma was under no illusions that this relationship had a future
“My daughter doesn’t not do long term relationships “
“Did I say that I wanted a long term relationship ? “
“I think what surprised all of us was that none of us saw it coming – it not like the two of you have been flirting a lot “ Rosemary said
“Helena and I got off to a very bad start – mainly because I had my head up my ass about Bette and Tina and other things. But I can see how content my daughter is – I can see that Bette really loves her and they have a great relationship. I didn’t see that at first – not the way that the two of you did. Maybe I was still in a very bad place because of Kate but I didn’t approve of Bette at all. Now I see the truth – that she is a lovely person who worships Tina and would never do anything to hurt her. I apologised to Helena about what I had said about Bette and Tina and its been a good relationship since then. There has been flirting -there has been a hell of a lot of flirting but I didn’t read anything into it. I just thought that Helena flirted with lots of women. What happened the other night wasn’t a huge shock to me but it was a nice one. I am sorry if you do not approve Peggy and I do hope that it doesn’t affect my relationship with you but we really are not doing anything wrong. We are both adults and yes I am more of an adult because I have been one longer but the fact is that we are not looking for a serious relationship – its fun and it will last as long as it will last”
Rosemary looked at Peggy “ I think that’s a pretty good case for the defence – any further comments from the prosecution ?”
“I just don’t want anyone to get hurt and that doesn’t just mean Helena “
Emma looked at Peggy before looking at Rosemary “Would you be an angel and go and order some extra fries to my order please “
Rosemary nodded “Of course “
Left alone Emma regarded Peggy
“Peggy – I love and respect you a great deal but the only way that Helena is getting hurt here is by how you and Bette reacted. She adores both of you – I have heard from Tina how close Helena and Bette are and having her being so spiteful was very upsetting for her especially as she has been so supportive of Bette and Tina and played her part in the conspiracy to keep their relationship secret. She also looks up to you a great deal – I know it was a shock and you have every right not to approve but you do have to give Helena some credit for knowing her own mind “
Peggy was tempted to tell Emma that she knew her daughter but for once she stifled her acid comments.
“I was shocked “
“I know but Helena isn’t totally tough – you know that – having her best friend and her mother laughing at her had really hurt her “
“I will speak to my daughter at the weekend “ Peggy replied
Emma wasn’t about to tell Peggy that Helena’s plans for the weekend did not include any conversations with either her mother or her best friend. Rosemary returned and looked at the two women
“Is everything okay ?”
“Fine and dandy “Peggy replied dryly
“That’s good because I need to talk to the two of you about the New York Library’s Christmas program of activities and how I can get the two of you involved “
“Does it involve my time or my cheque book ?” Emma said
“Both – now listen to this idea “