“Thanks “

Tina went out and strolled around until she found a toilet and after she had finished there she found a coffee machine and bought two coffees and came back. She had been hoping that it would kill time and that sooner rather than later she would be told that she could see her partner. Elizabeth had obviously been crying again when Tina got back in. Tina put the coffee down and embraced Elizabeth

“She’s going to be okay “ Tina said “She is a fighter and nothing is going to stop her”

“I hope you are right Tina “

“I am  – I know this woman and she is going to be okay “

“I couldn’t bear to lose her “

“I know – me too “

“I am sorry Tina – I should be comforting you “

“Its okay – we can be there for one another “

Elizabeth dried her eyes and looked at Tina

“Anything that we can do -we will I promise”

“Lets see what we are faced with then we can talk and make some practical decisions. If she is going to be away from work I am going to have to find some help for James. I know that Bette trusts him but it’s a big job for one person “

“Well – I mean it  – anything “

Tina nodded – she was glad that she was not alone -at least she was with the one person who loved Bette as much as she did.

“Thank you Elizabeth “

The door opened and Belinda the pretty nurse walked in

“Hello “

“Hi – this is Bette’s mom”

“Hello – I am Belinda – I can see the resemblance between you and your daughter Mrs Porter”

“Thank you – how is she ?”

“We have done the lumbar puncture and at the moment she is resting. If you want to come and sit with her. I should warn you that she’s got an oxygen mask on to help her breath and she’s got a intravenous drip in her arm”

“Is she going to be okay ?” Tina wanted to know

“Its early days but the doctor doesn’t think that it’s a really severe attack of the illness. It was caught in time – if she hadn’t got to the hospital when she did I do think that we would be having a very different and much more painful conversation “