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After spending a couple of hours at Bette’s exhibition the gang all headed back to Bette and Tina’s place to celebrate her success.  Bette handed a glass of wine to Helena and to Alexa, who was rapidly becoming a familiar member of their group, not an easy task for such a tight-knit inner circle as theirs.

‘So what did you think to Provocations?’ Bette asked Alexa curiously.

‘Provocative,’ she said and smiled.  ‘Honestly a couple of the works make me slightly uncomfortable but I think that’s what art should be about, making you question your own beliefs and boundaries, taking you out of your comfort zone.’

Bette smiled at Alexa.  ‘Absolutely,’ she agreed and again shot Helena a look of distinct approval.  Over the years she’d known Helena she’d come to realise that they shared a lot in common, had similar outlooks on life but for the fact that Helena had a habit of picking out terrible women.  Bette knew how Helena was, she’d try being a player for a while when she came out of a relationship and then she’d find another gold-digging airhead or arrogant bitch for a while until she wised up and started playing around again.  But Alexa was something different, and Helena was different with her.

‘Not all our works are quite so controversial, you should come over and see some of the landscapes Alexa.  Helena tells me you’ve travelled quite extensively in the states.  Thomas Crandall one of our new artists has some great pictures of the Sierra Nevada.’

‘I’d love that, it’s just beautiful out there,’ agreed Alexa.

‘He’s bringing in some new works to show me next Friday you and Helena should come over for drinks and check them out,’ suggested Bette.

Bette saw Helena’s face drop and wondered what she’d said wrong.  ‘That would have been great Bette but I have to fly back to England next Friday,’ explained Alexa.

‘Hmm..bad timing,’ said Bette and saw that Helena still looked saddened.  ‘Well you can still come see them when you next visit,’ she said trying to lift the mood.  ‘How soon until you come again?’ asked Bette.

The awkward moment was cut when Alexa felt something grab her leg and looked down to find a toddler around her ankle.