“You made another fan “

“I do my best “ Bette replied

“Your best is wonderful – thanks”

Bette sighed and took hold of Tina’s hand

“From what your gran said there is someone else involved “

“What ?”

“I could see how upset you were so when you went upstairs I asked her a few questions “

“Did she open up to you ?”
“She seemed to know more than she was letting on. Maybe your dad didn’t bank on you and Finn flying over here as soon as you heard”

“Is that what you think ?”

“I think from what she said – his head is a mess and he’s trying to get it together – I asked her straight out if there was someone else involved and she said that it was a reasonable assumption to make “

“So much for what mum said “

“Maybe your mom really doesn’t know “

“I asked her and she said that she would know if he was cheating on her”
“Clearly not “

“What else did she say ?”

“That he sees his kids all happy and settled and he wants to be happy”

Tina shook her head “I hoped against hope that he was just having a strop”

“I know “ Bette sighed

“Did you believe her when she said she didn’t know where he was ?”

“No – did you ?”

“No “ Tina agreed “She knows something “

“She knows a heck of a lot I would say “ Bette added

“So what now ?”

“Lets go into town – you owe me a pair of cowboy boots “

Tina started the car and they drove in silence for about ten minutes – both lost in their own thoughts. Tina stopped for gas and started chatting to a woman who she clearly knew. Bette stayed in the car – there was something bugging her and she couldn’t bring it to mind.

Tina climbed back into the car
“I went to school with Hazel – she’s got four kids – god she looks much older than I do”

Bette was sitting with her feet up writing something

“Bette ?”

“In a minute babe – just give me a minute “

Bette continued to write words down and cross them off and stare at the sheet. Finally she handed the paper – a piece of notebook she’d found in her bag

“Does that ring a bell ?”

“Beachside Villas ?” Tina read

“Yeah “
“Not really – why ?”

“When we first arrived I went to look at the welsh dresser – very old and very rare by the way “

“I take your word for it “ Tina said

“Anyway – there was a notebook on the dresser – I don’t think I consciously looked at it but I saw it you know ?”

Tina nodded

“That was written on the notebook – no number or name “

Tina nodded

“Now if I get a message from someone at work or at home I always write down the person. The exception is if its you. When you ring me with a date or a place – I never write TINA down – because its you I am not going to need to write down your name because you are my partner”

“So you think this is something to do with dad ?”

“It’s a lead “

Tina laughed

“You and I watch too many cop shows “

“I know “ Bette agreed “But don’t you think it’s a possibility ?”

Tina looked at the paper

“It’s the only one we have at the moment – lets go “

“Are we being Starsky and Hutch ?” Bette “I had a long white cardigan just like the one David Soul had “

Tina laughed as she put her foot down the accelerator to head into town. First she would buy Bette some boots then she needed to find where her father was hiding out.