“I have changed as well –  we have both grown “

“And that will keep happening   – she just worships the ground you walk on. I think it’s a side of her that I never believed she would let out”

“How do mean ?” Tina looked at him

“She likes to pretend that she is hard nosed and a real so and so. But if you spend more than a few days with her you see through it – you see that it’s an act. Granted she is a good actress but its still an act but I didn’t think that she would drop the act. She once was going out with you – and it was obvious that it was getting serious for her – she said to me “I really care for her James – what the hell do I do ?”

“What did you say ?”

“I retreated so she couldn’t throw anything at me and I told her to be herself and to let you see the real Bette Porter “

“Did she throw anything ?”

James smiled – lost in his own memories. He sighed

“The single raised eyebrow was enough but she did walk past me and thank me “

Tina rubbed her face “Whatever it takes James –  I will do whatever it takes to get her well again “

“What about the wedding ?”

“She has been saying for months that its jinxed and I have been telling her that she in not getting out of it that easily “

“The cock up with the different venues – that drove her crazy “

“She was upset “

“Bette makes people suffer when she is upset – I shouldn’t be telling you this and I will deny this when she is up and about “

“Go on “

“She was angry with the hotel that took the booking and then denied it when she went to pay the deposit – she decided that it was rank homophobia “

“It was “

“She doesn’t take that well “

“What happened James ?”

“I am not 100% sure but she did tell me to find out the number of the local authority’s food hygiene department “

Tina laughed despite herself “Sounds like her relentless campaign against Eric”

“The postcards “

Tina nodded “It drives him insane “

“When he upsets you it really gets her mad “

“ I would give anything to hear her more imaginative names that she comes up with for him “

“That’s what an expensive education and being a bookworm when you were growing up does for you –  a great line in insults “

“She is going to okay – really Tina  “

“If she is its all down to you “

The door opened and Elizabeth hurried in

“What is happening –  how is my little girl ?”

Tina stood up “ The hospital is sure that she has meningitis – she is on antibiotics and she’s getting a lumbar puncture at the moment to find out how serious it is”

Elizabeth burst into tears

“She cannot die Tina – I have just found her again – I want my baby back “

***