Over the years Bette had come to admire Kit for her tenacity in working through her problems. Kits addiction to alcohol, the downturn in her career and her poor relationship with both their father and her son were all problems which were difficult to tackle individually yet somehow Kit was facing them all and slowly putting her life back together.

Kit had become Bettes sounding board. The person Bette turned to when she needed to think things through, work out what went wrong in her life and how things had to change if she was going to be able to accept the long-term love of another person.

Together theyd explored how fucked up the Porter family was and together theyd discussed how to halt the downward spiral that their lives seemed to be on.

Emily gradually relaxed as she saw how comfortable her mother was with these people. She let Kit take her onto her lap and happily played with Kits bouncy hair as her mother and Bette got everything ready for lunch.

You dont expect her to eat that do you? Kit said pulling a face as she scanned the array of healthy foods they were setting out.

Why not? Tina said a little puzzled by Kits question Its good for her.

Emily brought out the child in Kit, the fun side that shed not had access to when David was growing up.

Kit picked Emily up Little one she smiled at Emily .. let me introduce you to my favourite meal – peanut butter and banana sandwiches.

Yuk Tina scrunched up her nose.

You havent tasted anything until youve tasted this.. Kit laughed and moved into the kitchen to make two sandwiches leaving the grownups to eat the healthy food.

Bette watched Kit and Emily as they sat side-by-side on the floor eating their sandwiches and she felt a twinge of jealousy as she watched the easy relationship developing between them.

Bette tried to suppress it telling herself that Kit deserved some happiness in her life. And she tried to reason with herself, telling herself it could only work in her favour if Emily was happy to be with Kit. It would give her breathing room as she performed the delicate balancing act of re-establishing her relationship with Tina while creating a new one with Emily.

But while all of these were very rational arguments, she still felt irrationally jealous. The relationship with Emily was too new and she wanted her all to herself.

In the end, unable to reason her way out of her feelings Bette turned away from Kit and Emily and focussed on Tina. She took her hand and held it, squeezed it tight. She had so much she wanted to say to her but the words wouldnt form. She hoped somehow that Tina understood; could see how happy she was that they were here together.