Bette smiled apologetically, “Sorry … I forgot … what with everything …” she added, glancing across at Lottie who’d closed her eyes again, “If Ben hadn’t left me a message I probably would have forgotten about it altogether”

Tina recalled the message Bette’s personal assistant Ben had left on their machine about an artist and lecturer Erin Becker, Bette was right, it wasn’t like her to forget something like that, “It’s fine …” she said, “I’ll ask Kit if she can watch her …” she added, knowing they would see Kit later at lunch, “are you still coming?” Tina asked,

Bette nodded, “I have to swing by the gallery after I drop Angie off but then I’m working from home for the rest of the day …” she said smiling,

Tina nodded, glancing at the time, some of them weren’t so lucky she thought, shaking Lottie’s arm again, “Give me your keys …” she ordered, prising the rental car keys out of Lottie’s hand, Lottie mumbled in protest, “Come on …” urged Tina, “We’ll get you some ‘proper’ coffee on the way,”

Lottie perked up, grinning,

Bette chuckled, getting up to move her car from the end of the drive to let them out,

She waved goodbye as Lottie’s yellow Beetle disappeared out of view at the end of the street,

“Hey Bette …!” called Shane, as she strolled down the sidewalk pushing Freddie along in front of her,

Bette looked up, waving back, “Hey!”

“When did you get back?” asked Shane, meaning for Bette to tell her how things had gone,

“Late last night …” replied Bette, wondering if her eyes betrayed how tired she really was,

“Was that Tina driving Lottie’s car?” Shane asked,

Bette nodded, “Yeah, she stayed last night, Tina wouldn’t let her drive back it was so late”

Shane nodded,

“Anyway … why are you up and about so early?” Bette asked, knowing that on her days off the old Shane would never normally surface until midday,

Shane grinned, pointing to a grocery bag which hung from the back of Freddie’s stroller, “Eggs and Milk, Carm had a gig last night …” she explained,

Bette’s smile broke wide at seeing her friend so content and happy, there were times when the idea of seeing Shane married with a baby held around the same odds as winning the lottery,