Elizabeth shook her head “This is not happening “

“It is – no nightmare could be as real as this is “

Elizabeth sat down and searched in her hand bag for an tissue. She dried her eyes

“What have they said to you Tina ?”

Tina sat down and taking Elizabeth’s hand she began to repeat what the nurse had told her. Elizabeth became upset again and there were more tears – Tina held her hand and let her cry. Tina couldn’t let herself cry – she was determined that she was going to be strong for Bette and that meant taking care of her mom if that was what was needed.

“I am sorry Tina – you must be frantic with worry “

“I am – maybe it hasn’t sunk in yet – I just want to be able to see her “

“Why can we not see her ?”

“They are treating her and giving her a lumbar puncture to assess how severe the meningitis is “

“A lumbar puncture – Hannah had one of those – they are very unpleasant “

Tina squeezed her own hand – she was fighting a battle with her own emotions. She would  keep it together for as long as it took.

“We just have to trust that they will take the best care of her “

“Has she her own room ? If it’s a matter of money “

“Bette has the best health  insurance – we both do “

“Sorry –  throwing money at this will not help will it ?”

“If it was I would have done it already”

“Yes – I am sure you would  – so we sit and wait “

“They said an hour “ Tina looked at her watch “That was about 10 minutes ago”

“Well we are going to have to wait – would you like a coffee ?”

“No “

Elizabeth sighed and closed her eyes. Tina tried to control her breathing — she was worried sick and trying to decide what to do that was for the best – she would need to sort out with James what was to be done about the gallery. Bette would want it keeping open. Who else did she need to get in touch with ? – her family-  Finn would want to know – he would do anything that Tina needed him to do- he was a good brother. – who else ? Kit – of course – she would need someone to find Kit – Bette’s sister. Alice – somehow she would have to get a message to the cruise ship Alice was on. Tina found that thinking about practical things did help her – she felt so helpless sitting waiting for news of the woman she loved so deeply. Tina glanced across at Elizabeth and was surprised to see that the older woman had her hands together in a silent prayer. Religion played so little a role in her life that she was often surprised to see someone who did have a strong belief – well any help was welcome.