“Well, I’m glad we all know where we stand” Tina said simply.

“Do we?”

“Yes Bette, we do. We are ex-partners who may attempt to be civil with each other if we cross paths”

“You’d think that would hurt me, but for me if I can’t have the real Tina then I’ll go for none at all” there was a hint of sadness in Bette’s voice.

“Don’t you worry, that’s what you’ll be getting” Tina almost spat the words out.

“Give my love to Angelica”

Tina gave a wry laugh before turning and walking through the house and out of the front door. Bette watched her leave from the garden and just shook her head. True, her words may have sounded harsh but the point had to be made. The Tina she had just rowed with was one she didn’t recognise at all.

In her living room, Carmen played Shane’s answer phone message over for the hundredth time. Hearing Shane’s voice fill the room almost gave her a feeling of calm, but nothing could stop the tears every time she heard those tearful words – “I love you baby”. To hear a women who used to appear so tough and uncaring reduced to tears over her, well it never failed to move Carmen, no matter how many times she played the message through. She knew she couldn’t just leave it like this, knowing that both of them were hurting so much. She at least had to talk to Shane, and so once again picked up the phone to dial that familiar number.

“Shane?” Carmen asked hurriedly the second the phone clicked.

“Carmen?” the sound of Carmen’s voice had thrown Shane slightly.

“Yeah, it’s me”

“Oh…I…how are you?” Shane mentally kicked herself “I’m sorry, that was a stupid question, I just…”

“No, no” Carmen soothed “I’m ok. How are you?”

“You want an honest answer?”

“Yeah”

“Terrible. I’m emotionally drained, I’m exhausted, I can’t stop thinking about you, in fact I can’t do anything else…I’m lost baby”

The tears became evident in Carmen’s voice “I’m lost too”

“I’m so sorry”

“Where are you staying?” Carmen tried to pull herself together a little.

“Got a motel last night, I’m just moving into Bette’s now. She kicked Tina and that fuckhead boyfriend of hers out”