“No it wasn’t but it did show that you want to stand on your own two feet which what we both want. I can be over bearing sometimes and I do always think I am right”
Tina stole a quick glance at Bette and smiled at her
“Well you usually are “
“I SOUND like I am “ Bette aid grinning back
“Anyway – I do value your advice and I will be asking you things – lots of things”
“Anything I can do to help you know that Ti  – but this is your chance to be the boss and make the decisions”
“That worries me “
“Why ?”
“Because I take so long to make decisions – when we go into a restaurant you just look at the menu and know what you want – I dither “
“So we are different. There is no right and wrong, the point I am making sweetheart is that you will have both your dad and a mom or two and me all chipping in – this is your business so you have to stand or fall by the decisions and the crucial ones need to be yours”
Tina sighed “What am I going to do about them ?”
“I take it you mean the mom’s ?”
Tina nodded “Kate is ranting at Emma that she has  turned me against her and really upsetting her. I am sure that one of the reasons she is going away is to get away from Kate – she has started to send her emails “
“Because she isn’t getting any reaction from the texts that your mom isn’t getting”
“Yep “
“So I showed her how to have all the emails from Kate go into a different folder – not into her main inbox – that way she doesn’t have to face them if she doesn’t want to “
“I think that the only way Kate is going to stop being a cow is if you tell her “
“You think ?”
“She is terrified that you have turned against her and she has behaved appallingly in my opinion but she still loves you “
“That’s what Emma said “
“Its to Emma’s credit that she hasn’t tried to turn you against Kate”
“That’s two nice things you have said about my mother in as many weeks “
Bette stuck her tongue out which made Tina laugh
“So you think I should see Kate ?”
“I think that the dust has settled and you have come to terms with what happened. You were shocked and not thinking clearly when you last saw Kate “
“And she acted like a jackass “
“And she acted like a jackass and I think you can tell her that. If its any help I know that my mother really tore a strip off her “
“Really ?”
“Yeah – when Kate had discussed telling you with my mom she had said that she should tell you as soon as possible and not mention the new woman and to play it by ear – to only tell you what she thought you could deal with. So when I told mom just how bloody it was – well Rosie didn’t think twice about ringing Kate and telling her that she had messed it up”
“I do adore your mom “ Tina said
“Its two way – she couldn’t be happier that we are together again – she loves you to pieces – she always has and dad is happy as well”
Tina was silent – she had been putting off going to see Kate but what Bette was saying made sense  – she could make things easier for Emma by making Kate back off.
“I will email her when we get back to the city “ Tina decided
“Good for you”
“I will met her for coffee or something – somewhere neutral “
“No seconds ?” Bette asked
“Sorry ?”
“Boxers have “ seconds “ in their corners-  I am yours”
Tina smiled “Oh right – yeah – well no seconds for now. If she brings her tart along with her I am walking out “
“Calling her a tart might not be a good idea “ Bette said “She is called Alex “
“I know what she is “ Tina replied coldly
Bette decided that this could descend into an argument. She was silent for a few minutes staring out at the scenery – it really was lovely up here. After five minutes Tina looked at her
“I am sorry – but she broke up my parents relationship – I am hardly going to call her mommy dearest “
“No one is expecting you to call her mommy dearest “
“Kate is “
“Well Kate had a brain bypass that night – we both know it. Tempers have settled – everyone has had time to think things through – your mom is dealing with it better than you thought – yes ?”
Tina sighed and nodded “She is sad but her going away is a good thing “
“Emma being as serious as she is “ Bette said picking her words with care “It could have got very nasty. You two seem to be healing your relationship”
“And you are going to make peace with her”
“I am “ Bette said hoping she sounded more confident than she felt about burying the past with Emma Kennard. “So you need to mend your relationship with Kate. By all means tell her what you thought of the way she acted when she told you but you have always had a great relationship with Kate.”
“I hate it when you are right “ Tina said making a joke and easing the tension
“I know “ Bette replied
Tina had to pay attention to her driving as she was trying to get off the road they were on and join the highway which would take them into the heart of the city.
“Nice driving “ Bette said after several minutes.
“Thanks “ Tina said with a sudden grin “Its been a while since I drove but I am enjoying this”
“It would be nice if somehow we could get away now and again and just be alone. I know my studying takes up a lot of time and you are going to have the café to put together and a lot of learning to do. I just don’t want us to neglect one another”
“That’s not going to happen “ Tina replied
“I mean it Ti – we have to make time for one another “
“Yes – I know we do. We do okay now right ?”
Bette nodded “There are bound to be times when we don’t want to see one another or we are so tied up with our own world but “ she rested her hand on Tina’s thigh “You are my partner – that means a lot to me”
“And to me. I know you are right”
“I have some good pals who live in New York – I think you will like them”
“Do they know about me ?”
“Most certainly yes “ Bette said
“So lets fix up a night out with them “