But she saw now was that one mistake had led to another.  Jumping straight back into a relationship with Bette meant some things were never discussed, some necessary conversations had never quite been had.  Sometime she thought she caught Bette looking at her with resentment in her eyes when she was around men but the subject was never raised

‘Hey Alexa, come show us how to steer this dog,’ called out Shane and Alexa left Tina to join her and Angelica, crouching down to show them how.

Helena and Bette observed their antics as they talked.  ‘I think this is definitely the most straight people I’ve ever seen on your property at one time Porter.’  Helena observed.

Bette laughed.  ‘For sure, Tina wanted to invite some of Angelica’s friends and their parents from the playgroup.  Oh look one of the dads is trying to chat up Alexa,’ she told her.

Helena’s head whipped round to see the guy in question who had involved himself and his little boy in Alexa and Angelica’s game.

They watched Alexa laugh at something the guy in question said and saw him lean in a little closer but Helena caught Alexa’s glance at her and her conspiratorial wink and she knew she was putting up with him for Tina’s sake, who as usual was desperate for the people at her parties to mix.

‘Aren’t you going to go over there Helena?  Make things clear, so to speak,’ suggested Bette.

Helena chuckled.  ‘Hardly, they’re playing with the kids at a garden party not dancing dirty at a bar.’

Helena noticed Tina approach Alexa and the mystery guy, introducing her to another male friend of hers and all four struck up a conversation.

‘Don’t they look picture perfect,’ said Bette sarcastically.  ‘They probably have fucking wives at home.’

‘Bette they’re just talking,’ said Helena. ‘Since when are you this big man hater?’

‘I’m not a man hater I just hate the way some guys think that they can just steam in and hope to turn a lesbian just by looking her way.  I mean take Alexa for example, she’s exactly the kind they’ll think they have a chance with.’

Helena was slightly affronted.  ‘Why would you say that?’