"So what are you planning to do about all of this?" Kit asked
"I want to talk to you – to see if you could throw any light on it "
"As I said I don’t really have very solid memories of your mother. My
mother was never going to be your mother’s best friend – it was how it
was "
Bette sighed and looked at Tina – Kit had given her food for thought

>>>

Tina stood on the pavement with Bette – Kit had just left them and it
was well into the afternoon
"You got much on this afternoon?" Tina asked
"Not really – you?"
"Getting my hours down so rest of the day off "
Bette smiled "You maybe want to go and buy that TV?"
Tina grinned "I would like that – are you going back to work?"
"Just to pick up my briefcase "
"Well I left my car at work because it was being valeted so we can go in
your car – you can drop me off in the morning"
"Okay"
Bette took hold of Tina’s hand
"Kit likes you "
"Mutual – she’s really nice and entertaining "
"Kit is a hoot. She was very shy when she was young according to her –
she started drinking to give herself more confidence. But she is funnier
without the booze – I just adore her "
"Invite her over for dinner soon – she seems really okay about you being
gay "
"She has always been cool about my sexuality "
"She is sober?"
"Yes – 10 weeks – that is a real achievement for her"
"Does she go to AA?"
"I didn’t really get the chance to ask her – I will "
They chatted on the journey to Bette’s gallery. Bette took Tina’s hand
as they walked into the gallery
"Have you got any new pieces?" Tina asked
"A couple – have a look while I get my briefcase"
"As we have both finished early do you want to go to the movies or
something?"
"I would love to – hot dog or dinner?"
Bette laughed "I think a hot dog and too much popcorn would be great "
They walked up the stairs to the gallery. James was just coming out of
Bette’s office
"I was just leaving some letters on your desk to sign"
"That’s fine -I was just going to pick up my briefcase. Do you mind Ti?"
"Not at all "Tina kissed Bette "Come up and get me when you are ready "
Bette went into her office and Tina went upstairs. She walked through
the double doors and started to look at the pieces – some were long term
loans to the gallery and Tina loved to see them afresh. There were three
other people in the gallery – Tina glanced at one of the women who were
a few metres from her.
"Hello Elizabeth "
The older woman looked startled to be recognised
"Tina – hello "
"Hi "
"I was looking for Bette but her young man said she wasn’t around so I
came in here"
Tina didn’t think that it was something that would slip James’ mind –
had she spoken to him at all
"We were out at lunch "Tina said
"Is Bette not here?"
"Downstairs "Tina said
"I was going to invite you both out for brunch on Sunday "
"We are doing a 10km run "
"Really?"
"Yes – it’s for breast cancer "
"That’s a very good cause "
"Bette and I think so "Tina wondered if she should say anything to her
about Bette. She really didn’t think she should interfere but she
desperately wanted to wade in and protect her lover.
"I really wanted to see Bette because we didn’t have the smoothest
conversation a couple of days ago"
"I know "Tina said "She was very upset when she got home"
Elizabeth looked at Tina
"What am I doing wrong?"
"You want me to be honest?"
"Yes "
"Stop rushing her. This is the most enormous thing for her to get her
head round. She has wanted you to walk into her life for 27 years – and
suddenly there you are. Have you heard of the expression – be careful
what you wish for? She is really struggling to come to terms with this.
I can really see that you want to get to know her and I think that is
great but give her some space. Let it sink in "
Elizabeth nodded "Thank you for being honest with me "
"Don’t keep things from her – if you are going to drop anything else on
her plate – do it all at once? She is reeling at the moment from the
fact that you and your wife have a son. Does that mean that Bette has a
brother?"
"Yes – I have always regarded them as brother and sister"
"Look – I am really not having a go at you but my concern is Bette – you
have to see it from her point of view. She is seeing her father with
even more feet of clay than she already knew that she had. That is hard
for her"
"I think it’s a fair criticism on your part Tina. Hannah has been
warning me that I am risking frightening her off"
"I don’t think you really understand how much she wants a mother. It’s
coloured her life – she is who she is because she has never had a
mother. I am not telling you to leave her alone – I am telling you to
let her go at her pace"
"Hello "
Tina and Elizabeth turned and saw Bette standing looking at them
"Hello Bette "
"Elizabeth" Bette acknowledged her "Nice to see you here – nice surprise
"
Tina didn’t say anything
"I just came by in hope that I might see you"
Bette looked at Tina then back at Elizabeth
"Ti and I have been to lunch "
"She told me "
"We were with Kit – do you remember Kit?"
"Yes – your half sister. I did wonder if you were still in touch with
her – you didn’t mention her so I didn’t like to say anything- how is
she?"
"Fine – it’s ironic that she has the same problem as you "
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow
"What is that?"
"Alcohol problems "
"Well it’s very common -I think it’s a genetic thing – my grandfather
died at 30 of cirrhosis"
Tina cursed – Bette was already cutting back on what she was drinking
almost without noticing it. Tina could only imagine what that remark
would do to Bette. Her great grandfather, her mother and her sister –
all alcoholics.

———————————————