Bette raised an eyebrow at her and laughed. Tina finished her work and lent against the wall as she drank her coffee.

“So what do you want to call this one ?”

“I don’t know “

“He is handsome “

“He is lovely “ Tina said firmly “And he’s my boy “

Bette looked up at Tina “You are not taking him home so don’t ask “

Tina laughed “Yes I know – he is just gorgeous Bette “

“He is – he seems to have put a smile on your face better than any human has managed recently “

“You made me the happiest woman alive when you said the other night that you wanted to be my wife “

“Good “

Tina put the hay down that she had been holding and walked across to her partner. Bette took hold of her and they embraced

“Its going to be okay I swear “ Bette said

“I don’t know what I would do without you “

“I don’t intend to let you find out “

Tina looked up at Bette and gently they kissed. Tina rubbed Bette’s face

“I love you “

“I love you “

Tina rested her head against Bette’s shoulder and for several minutes they were both silent and relishing the moments between them. Bette kissed Tina again

“Lets go tell your mom that we are getting married eh ?”

Tina grinned “You think ?”

Bette nodded “She will be thrilled for you “

“She likes you “

“She’s come round to me “

“Its impossible not to love you “ Tina replied

“James manages it “

Tina chuckled “Okay – lets go and tell her “

Sarah was sitting in the kitchen reading a newspaper when Bette and Tina walked in holding hands

“How have you dragged her away from the foal ?”

“Promises of how fantastic the ham is” Bette said

“I’ll make you a sandwich Tina “

“No – not yet –we want to talk to you “

Tina sat down facing her mom across the scrubbed pine table, Bette sat beside Tina.

“Is this something serious ?” Sarah asked

“Yes and no “ Tina began – she really wasn’t sure how to tell her mother. She had been so negative towards them at first but she had now seen how good they were together. She took Bette’s hand and squeezed it

“You know that Bette and I have been together for two years ?”

“Yes and the two of you look very happy together I have to say “

“Thank you – in the last few weeks I have done a lot of soul searching after everything that my father said to me. I have to say that as much as it hurt me I also see that some of what he said had a grain of truth in it. I do find it hard to accept my failings and the last few weeks I have been hell on earth to live with. But all the way through I have had one anchor – one fantastically tolerant and loving woman who has been there for me even when I have been an utter pain. I have kept her awake half the night talking and I have driven her crazy by not talking. But she’s never wavered – not once “ Tina looked across at Bette and smiled “ And I am so lucky to have her as my partner . So we’d like you to be one of the first to know that we are getting married. Bette has done me the greatest honour by agreeing to become my wife “