“And do you pay any attention to me what so ever ? “

“Yes – I buy organic food when I go to the supermarket and when that salesman tried to sell me some feed for the lawn I told him that we only bought natural fertilizers and pest control products “

“Yes – yes you did say that – I was very impressed “

Tina laughed and wondered how Bette would react when she smelt the natural fertilizer that they had bought for the whole of the back garden.

“Don’t I get a kiss ?” Bette asked

Tina lent across and kissed her partner on the lips

“You are amazing and I am very proud of you “ she whispered

“Do we get to cuddle up after lunch ?” Bette asked hopefully

“When we have done a couple of hours in the garden “

“Is it going to hurt ?”

“I will be gentle with you – I want a look at those bush – those shrubs in the front garden. I might have to dig them out and the roots might be deep -that might be a two woman job”

“Or I could pick up Yellow Pages and get some hard handed man to do it “

“We will see – lets get home “

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Tina’s promise of “ a couple of hours “ in the garden turned into three and a half hours of digging, cutting shrubs back, planting new things and wrestling with the new hose. At the end of the time Bette came across and put her arm around Tina’s shoulder – she always marvelled at Tina’s capacity for hard manual labour – on the farm she had seen her lifting bales of hay around and she was never put off a task because she was a woman. Bette loved this side to her lover – so utterly fearless and strong.

“It looks beautiful “

Tina nodded “Yes it looks good “

“You know after the fire I was worried in case you were never going to be the same again but you are right back to full health “

“I needed you to hold me back “

“Literally “ Bette reminded her

“I know – I think if it hadn’t been for you I would have done permanent damage to myself “

“You don’t get any effects now ?” Bette asked

“No – when I had the flu the other month -I think that floored me more than it would have before the fire but I promise you Bette I am back to my best “

“You can say that again “ Bette was looking down Tina’s top at her breasts

“Three and a half hours hasn’t exhausted you ?” Tina challenged

“Not really “

“Wait for a few hours – you will be asleep on the sofa before supper time “

“The farm doesn’t knock me out like it used to “ Bette protested

“You have been known to need a nap if we go out for a long walk “

Bette laughed and kissed Tina on the lips “No – that’s just a cunning way to get you to cuddle up to me “

“I thought as much – come on lets put all of this in the garage “

“Can I play with the hose ?”

“Late when it gets dusk -otherwise the water just gets wasted “

“Its taken me an hour to get that adapter fixed to that outside tap “

“Yes – and seeing you in that wet tee-shirt was the highlight of my afternoon “

“Now who is being cunning “

“Lets go inside and share a bath “ Tina suggested.

“If you can talk me into spending $500 at a garden centre you can sure as hell talk me into sharing a bath with you – come on babe “

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