“Baby …” Bette pleaded, “I can’t.”

“Yes you can,” answered Tina boldly, “and you will, if you want any sort of reprieve when you call me back later.”

Bette coughed, “T … I …”

“Bette,” Tina warned, “you promised”

Bette sighed, it was an easy promise. The next few days would be a delicious kind of hell, intensifying their want, their need. Monday couldn’t come soon enough.

“For you T …” she said, “anything.”

“Good,” replied Tina, pleased to have Bette right where she wanted her. Now to close the deal … “call me back when you’re finished babe … I’ll be waiting …”

… and with that she shut off the phone, lying back on the lounge chair she closed her eyes, she was surely going to pay for that move later.

“All sorted?” asked Kit, looking up from where she and Angie sat reading a book on the sofa.

“Everything’s fine Kit,” replied Tina, loving Kit’s concern, “Bette’s on her way out to a drinks meeting with the people from MOMA,” she added, a smug satisfied smile crossing her lips,

Kit didn’t miss it, “Oh really? …” she shook her head, those two! “I’d best get going …” she added, “… see you on Saturday?”

“Yes,” replied Tina, “about 1pm? … I told the others 2-ish but knowing Alice they’ll be here about noon!”

“Who’s coming?” asked Kit

“The usual … us … Alice, Lisa and the kids, Dana and Lara … Oh and Shane and Carmen are back”

“They are?” said Kit, pleased

Tina nodded, “Uh huh, Carmen has a gig tomorrow night,” she explained, perching on the arm of the sofa beside Angie

“Aunty Shane is back?” Angelica asked, her eyes excited

“Yep,” replied Tina, ruffling her daughters hair, Alice would be jealous because there was no denying it, her daughter was Shane’s number one fan, “You’ll see them on Saturday,” she added.

“Yay!” replied Angelica, eagerly, “are they bringing the baby?”

“I don’t know,” said Tina, “but if they do … don’t hang on to him, alright? … everyone else likes to have a hold too.”

“Fine,” mumbled Angie, getting up to put her empty glass in the kitchen, “but he likes me the best.”

Tina rolled her eyes at Kit,

“Okay …” said Kit, “I really gotta go … love you” she said, bending down to kiss Tina softly on the forehead, “and you little-one,” she added, pulling Angelica in for a hug, “you walk your Aunty to the door.”

“Bye Kit” Tina called after her.

She leant back on the sofa, a calmness washing over her. Tomorrow would go quickly then on Saturday all their friends would be around, it would be Monday before she knew it.

Still holding the phone in her hand she walked over to the dining table and pulled out her diary from the briefcase, flicking through to find where she’d hastily scribbled Lottie’s number.

“Hi …” she said, as Lottie answered, “It’s Tina”

“Hey Tina,” replied Lottie, having not recognised their home number, “what’s up?”

“Nothing really …” said Tina, in a friendly voice, “I was just wondering what you’re doing this Saturday?”

“Saturday?” Lottie answered, trying to act like she was thinking about it, “erm … nothing … why?”

“We’re having a barbeque …” said Tina, “here at the house … and we’d love it if you’d come?” she added, sensing Lottie’s hesitance, “It’s just a few family friends … mostly people you’ve already met.”

“Alright …” Lottie agreed, “thanks … that’ll be good”

“Okay … 2pm … and bring something,” Tina added, “right, I have to go get Angie to bed but I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”

“Night Tina” replied Lottie

“Tina?” asked Jo, curiously.

“Kennard,” explained Lottie, as she put down the phone, “Angelica’s mom,”

“Ohh …” said Jo, “yeah.”

Lottie laughed, “Well … are we going to watch this then?” she asked, indicating the DVD she’d brought, “or did you just ask me here to get me drunk so I’ll agree to helping with more of your play?”
 

to be contnued ….