CHAPTER 90

Tina was wrestling with the wording of the report that she was writing for Peggy. Normally she prided herself in how easy she found the right words when she was writing something but today the words were not coming as freely as they usually did. She looked at the clock on her computer 12-39 – maybe it was time to abandon what she was doing and go and get some lunch. Time out might help her brain – she went back to the report and managed to type five sentences when the door to her office flew open and Helena came in. Tina wasn’t sure if she was more angry than upset but she was certainly wrestling with some very strong emotions
“Helena – what’s wrong ?”
“Would you like to join me for a liquid lunch ?”
Tina looked at the report – alcohol would not help her get this report written. She looked back at Helena
“Please Tina “
The request was so heartfelt that Tina nodded “Give me five minutes “
Helena didn’t speak for the ten minutes it took them to reach the bar that was closest to the office.
“Two beers and two shots of vodka “ Helena said as she caught the eye of the barman. It didn’t matter that there were other people ahead of her – Helena just had that sort of presence that always got her served ahead of her turn. Tina puffed out her cheeks – vodka chasers were not compatable with a productive afternoon of paperwork and report writing.
Helena was served immediately and they found a table in the window so they could look out at the world passing them. Helena drained the vodka in one while Tina took a long drink of the beer. Helena stared at the empty shot glass for a few silent minutes. Tina pushed her glass towards Helena
“You sure ?”
“Vodka is not my favourite drink “ Tina said
“Thanks “
Helena drank it half down and sighed
“I guess that you have had a run in with your mother – work or your current relationship?”
“My mother is a fucking evil old bag “
Tina smiled “If its any help I am struggling with her at the moment “
“Why ? You are the golden girl with her at the moment “
“I doubt that but if she does like me its only because I am biting my tongue over the stuff that is going on between her and the two of you “
“What’s she done to you ?”
“Its not easy for me to not say something to her when she is so down on the two of you “
Helena smiled “Sorry “
“Not your fault Helena – we were at Bettte’s parents a couple of nights ago and Rosemary gave me some food for thought “
“Like ?”
“Like she thought that the worst thing that I could do was resign over the way that Peggy is acting over the two of you “
“Why would you resign – you are Peggy’s star find of the year “
“I am a part timer Helena “
Helena shook her head “ You are not stupid Tina – you know that its just a matter of time before she offers you a big role in the company. She is very impressed with you – she is working on a restructure of a couple of the parts of the company and a role is going to be created for you. “
“That’s roughly what Rosemary said “
“Its true – she really is impressed at you and she is getting great reports from other people. I would say that before Christmas you would become a executive “
“Really ?”
“Yes – and don’t pretend that you hadn’t figured that out for yourself “
“I hoped that she would offer me a full time job but she is so unpredictable. When I went for the interview she asked me more about the bar work I had done during vacations at college”
“After a while you really learn to not blink when Peggy is doing unpredictable things “
Tina sipped her beer
“Tell me what she’s done to you now “
Helena drank the rest of her vodka “She never misses a chance to make some joke about how I like old things and how I have lost my marbles. She’s relentless “
“I am sorry “
“Not your fault Tina – its between her and me “
“Its not though is it ?”
“You think ?”
“Rosemary can read my mind at times “
“Yes – she’s done that to me more than once “
“We were round there and I was in the kitchen with her – we started talking about the whole business. She pointed out that I had to learn that your mother doesn’t blame me for the two of you “
“Of course she doesn’t “
“I feel disloyal to her and to you and therefore to Bette if I keep working for a woman who is so against the two of you “
Helena was shocked “ Tina – Rosemary is right – my mother doesn’t regard you as being to blame. Don’t you even think about quitting “
“I told Bette what Rosemary and I said and she said the same “
“She is right – Tina -my mother likes you a lot – she wants to use your talents for the benefits of the Peabody family of businesses. The opportunities are endless – we have interests just about everywhere – if you want a job with lots of First Class travel then that is what you can have – if you want to be a manager – that will be done. She sees you as very gifted and she wants to use those skills. Your loyalty to Emma and I is utterly admirable – but Rosemary is right – you resigning on principle will make things worse not better “
“You think ?”
“Yes – I need more drink “
“I will get it “ Tina got up and went to the bar – she picked up the menu and as she ordered a double vodka for Helena and a single scotch for herself- she also ordered two steak sandwiches – food would help to soak up the booze. She returned and sat down facing Helena. Helena fiddled with her watch strap
“Peggy doesn’t blame you for this – or Bette or even Emma. She blames me for being stupid and leading Emma on and letting down the Peabody name “
“I don’t know – she’s pretty pissed with my mother “
“You havent heard the speech were she blames me because apparently I can get any woman I want and I decided to piss my mother off by seducing Emma “
“Bette told her the other week that the whole world didn’t revolve around her “
“But my mother DOES think that the world is there for her amusement and to dance to her tune. She lost out on a house in London that she wanted – god you have never seen a 2 year spoilt kid making more fuss and bother than my mother. And she says I am spoilt “
“Can I ask you something ?”
“Of course “
“Would you end things with my mother because of what Peggy is saying ?”
“No “ Helena was still fiddling with her watch strap “ I am 29 years old – I am 30 in a few weeks and its about time that my mother let me live my life my way. Part of this is my own fault . Its always been easy for me to let my mother push me around – easier than thinking for myself. I am the stereotypical spoilt little rich girl. God only knows what a mess I would be in if it hadn’t been for Bette and her family. Bette and I would come home from college for the weekend and stay with them – not with my mother. At their place I had to peel potatoes and wash up and not expect other people to make my bed. God I was vile “
“Poor you “ Tina smiled
“I know – I have had the breaks and advantages that other people have not had. But – and I don’t want any pity here – its not the greatest start in life. Bette is the most driven person that I know and I am sure that her parents don’t make in a year what my mother does in a month. My mother is used to putting pressure on me and me folding – this isn’t going to happen “
“Are you digging your heels in because its time you did or because of the cause ?”
Helena nodded “I know what you are asking – I am not going to be swayed on this because “ she sighed – take a deep breath and admitted it “I love her “
Tina grinned “ Bette and I have seen that coming for some time “
“Yeah – so she has told me at great length – she finds the whole thing very humorous – I tried to ring her this morning – is she okay ?”
“She away on business “ Tina didn’t expand on the explanation – Bette had sworn her to secrecy on the reasons for the trip.
Helena sighed “I just wish that my mother would cut us some slack. I am not going to end things with Emma. I really think that she and I have a future . We make each other happy and she is good for me and I know that I am good for her “
“You are good for her “
“We have talked about being more open “
“Other than the two of us – who else have you two been to dinner with ?”
“No one “
“How about if we have a dinner party for the two of you and invite Rosemary and Melvin?”
“That has crossed my mind – maybe taking all of us away for the weekend “
“Helena – you don’t have to do that – dinner would be just as nice “
“You really have been adopted by Rosemary and Melvin havent you ?” Helena said kindly
“Yes – yes I have – its strange because I have never been part of a hetrosexual family thing and I like Melvin “
“He’s a good man and he loves being surrounded by women – I don’t know for certain but I think he would have struggled to see his little girl with a male”
“They have been great with me “
“They are probably just very happy that Bette’s actually in a relationship stable enough for her to want to bring you home “
“I feel part of the family and after losing my mom – its really been good for me. I am really happy that you and mom are doing so well “
“It defies logic I know but it just works and I don’t intend to let the mystery and the magic die “