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Tina was at a loose end – she was missing Bette who had left for the airport at 4am that morning. She was in her own apartment – she had tried to sit and watch a movie but couldn’t concentrate so she had decided to give the place a good cleaning. She was hovering the floor when the sound of the door-bell ringing raised her hopes that maybe Bette was home and had come straight from the airport to see her. Instead it was her mother.
“Hello mom “
“Hello sweetie – I have been stood up by my girlfriend “
Tina raised an eyebrow
“She’s taking some business colleague to dinner – you want some Chinese ?”
“Yes -come in “
“Thanks – there should be enough for Bette “
“Bette fly out on business this morning “
“Anywhere nice ?”
“I don’t think she will be there long enough – she is after a piece for a client “
“How is her business ?”
“Doing well – take your jacket off mom and I will get a couple of plates – would you like a drink ?”
“White wine if you have some “
“There is some in the fridge “
In a few minutes Tina and her mother were sitting around eating plates of Chinese food
“”I gather you calmed Helena down at lunchtime “
“I sat with her while she drank too much vodka and then steered her back to work “
“She was grateful for you doing that – thank you “
“I like her”
“She likes you “
Tina looked at her mother “ So its serious between the two of you ?”
“Yes – are you okay with that ?”
“You know I that I – but I am not the problem “
“I know that – do you think I should speak to Peggy – I know that I promised Helena that I wouldn’t but I do think that “
“STOP “ Tina said “ If you have told Helena that you will not interfere in her relationship with her mother then you should stick by your word “
“But “
“No buts “ Tina said firmly – while she knew that she still struggled when her mother interfered in her life she could point out when her mother was planning to interfere disastrously in another relationship “This is between Helena and Peggy. I know what you are thinking – that it is your fault and that you can make it right. You cannot – its between the two of them. I know how frustrated you must be – Its driving me crazy as well but Bette and Helena and Rosemary have all told me in no uncertain terms that sticking my nose in will not help any one. Helena says its about her relationship with her mother – you didn’t like it when you and Bette were having that little power struggle when we started dating”
“It was different “
“No it wasn’t – Bette didn’t like how you were acting with me and you didn’t like suddenly Bette was giving you less than veiled warnings about not hurting me “
Emma didn’t blush “That is one way of looking at things “
“That was how it happened mom – the fact is that the reason there was tension was because our relationship wasn’t the best “
“Its okay now though ?”
“Its fine mom – getting laid frequently obviously agrees with you “
“That’s enough of that thank you Tina “
“Just saying “ Tina chuckled “ You have lost weight -been working out ?”
“Tina – if you continue I will tell you just how I have been losing weight – do you want that ?”
“Remind me not to dare you again “
“I will “
Just as they were finishing their meal someone knocked loudly on the door. Tina got up and opened the door. Bette was standing there looking tired and very pissed off
“Hey sweetheart “
“Hello – can I come in ?”
“Of course you can – how did you get on ?”
Bette walked into the apartment – she was surprised to see Emma sitting eating the last of a meal and sipping white wine.
“Emma “ Bette said being polite
“Bette – Tina said you were away “
“I was “ Bette looked at Tina “ Is there anything around to eat – there was no food on the plane and I am starving “
All the containers barely had any food left
“I will cook something for you “
“No – its okay – I will go and get something later – can I have a drink ?”
“Of course “
Tina went into the kitchen to open another bottle of wine – she could tell that Bette was unhappy – obviously it had been a wasted day.

“Did you get what you wanted Bette ?” Emma asked Bette as they sat in Tina’s sitting room
“I arrived and found that I had been gazumped – I had an agreement but when I got there someone had given the dealer a sweetener and I lost the piece “
“Oh no Bette “ Tina walked into the room pouring Bette some wine
“So fucking annoying “ Bette said “ 6 hours in the air and I was bloody shafted – fuck I hate that “
Tina sat down and took Bette’s hand – Bette smiled at her lover and kissed her gently
“Mm – that kiss was the best thing about today “
“Is there nothing that will do instead of the piece you lost “
Bette sighed “It was something very special “
“It was for Peggy “ Tina explained “ It had sentimental value and Bette would have got a commission for securing it “
“I am less bothered about that than getting the piece for Peggy – I cannot believe that two faced shit Denise Hammond screwed me over “
Tina looked at her mother
“Mom “
“Yes “
“What is it ?”
“Nothing “
“MOM “ Tina knew her mother better than that “ Mom “
Emma put down her glass and took out her phone
“I bought this today for Helena’s birthday “
Tina took the phone and looked at the picture – the painting of a yacht – with a very distinctive name
“Shit “
Bette took the phone and looked at the picture – the picture she had flew to Florida and back in a day to get for Peggy. The picture she had lost because someone had screwed her by taking advantage of the greed of a dealer. She looked at the woman who had cost her a picture, a hefty cheque and a totally wasted and frustrating day. Bette got up
“I better go “
“Bette “ Tina appealled to her but Bette was looking with quiet rage at Emma.
“I didn’t know “ Emma said knowing that she sounded pathetic
“Thank you for screwing me over Emma – if you are trying to make friends with Peggy you probably just made an enemy for life”