Ellie padded down the wooden stairs in her bare feet and found her there. She was shocked at first to find her there, and to find out that the woman was in fact an old girlfriend of her mothers. And why had she felt so drawn to this person? After all she had never seen her before in her life. And why did they look so alike? Ellie couldnt make head, nor tail of that one.

Bette was sat at the breakfast table when Ellie entered the kitchen.

Although she must have been quite old, as old as her mother, she somehow looked younger. Ellie thought she looked elegant, and sophisticated, like a movie star from those black and white films her and her mother liked to watch so much.

Who are you? Ellie demanded.

Bette looked up, a little taken a back at this young child who stood before her, commanding her to make her presence known. She found herself unable to speak, instead she just stared at the face that she seemed to know as well as her own, and her heart broke in to a thousand pieces.

Well, who are you? Ellie stood there, her eyes blazing, she wanted to know who this woman was, and why she was staring at her as if she was an intruder in her own house.

My . . . names Bette Porter. She managed to utter. I stayed the night.

Oh I see. Ellie said, taking the seat opposite to Bette, she placed her elbows on the table and cupped her chin in her hands and stared in to Bettes eyes, studying her face and wondering why on earth she looked so similar to this stranger who was sat opposite her, eating breakfast in her house as if it was something she did everyday of the week.

Youre very confident arent you? Ellie said, never shifting her gaze off Bettes.

Bette couldnt help but smile at the child who was staring so intensely at her, she seemed so much older than she looked, and Bette couldnt help but feel an instant liking to her. Even though she had never seen this young girl, she hadnt even known that she existed, she knew the instant she had set eyes on her, that she was her daughter, that, she was borne out of the love that her and Tina had once shared.

I dont know about me. But you certainly seem to have a great deal of confidence about you. Bette said softly.

Oh youre very confident, and youre very beautiful too, have you ever thought of becoming an actress? You would be wonderful playing one of those leading ladies in a romantic film, I just love to watch those dont you? Ellie said dreamily.

Bette didnt know whether to laugh or cry, she was totally enchanted by her and was finding herself falling in love with this girl, with whom she had been kept in the dark about for ten long years.

No, Ive never thought of becoming an actress, and thank you, I think you are very beautiful too. She said, as tears started to fill her eyes.

Oh, I dont know about that. Ellie smiled. Well if youre not an actress, what do you do? I bet Its something dramatic, you look rather dramatic. Ellie said.

Whats youre name? Bette wanted to know everything she could about her.

Ellie, its Elizabeth really, but no one ever calls me that, well except for my mom when I do something to get her mad. Exclaimed Ellie, motioning with her hand. Bette felt her stomach do a somersault, her instincts had been right after all.

Well Ellie, I run my own art gallery, and you could say that at times it is rather dramatic, the artists are dramatic at any rate. Bette reached across the table and placed her hand on Ellies, she just needed to touch her. She wanted to take her in her arms and take in the sweet scent of her baby. She wanted to smother her in her love, a love that she had been denied for so long. But she knew she couldnt, she didnt even know if she deserved to, Ellie didnt know any different as far as she was concerned Helena was her mother, and if Bette did do that, she would probably think she was crazy.

Really? You know I was only saying to my mom the other night how I would like to be an artist, so I could go to all those fabulous artist parties. Ellie crowed.

Bette chuckled.
You know Ellie theres a lot more to being an artist than going to parties you know. She smiled lovingly at Ellie, shaking her head, this child was truly taking a hold of her heart, and there was nothing she could do to stop it.


Oh, I know that silly. Ellie grinned. But dont you just love the wonderful clothes, you get to wear, I cant wait until Im older, so I can dress up in all those fabulous ball gowns, I love to dress up, dont you?

Yes, yes I do love to dress up. Bette beamed.

Can you pass the cornflakes? I just love cornflakes with lots of sugar.
Ellie pointed to Bettes empty bowl. I thought grown ups all ate muesli for their health?

I dont eat breakfast very often, but cornflakes are one of my favourites, and they were there, so I thought why not. Said Bette.

Ellie spooned cornflakes in to her mouth and Bette watched her closely.
Since she had met Bette, Ellie felt older, she had been thinking differently, feeling differently.

You do look a little like your mother. Bette said, studying Ellies face.

Do I?

She was my girlfriend once. Bette said, a wave of sadness coming over her.

Oh, she was?

Yes, a long time ago. Bette replied regretfully.

Were you two, very much in love? Ellie asked curiously.

I like to think we were. Yes we were very much in love. Bette tried not to elaborate too much. She felt she had already said more than she should have.
Well Im afraid I have to go to work, bye Ellie. She walked around the table and bent down and softly placed a kiss on Ellies cheek. Tell your mom I was sorry to miss her.

Will I see you again? Ellie asked, looking in to Bettes eyes.

I hope so Ellie, I really hope so. She said as she cupped her chin in her hands. Bette walked out of the house. She now had a new meaning in her life and she was Ten years old, and she was going to do everything in her power to keep her in it.

After she had left. Ellie thought the house seemed very empty, so she wandered out in to the back yard.

She kept thinking about the beautiful lady with the empty eyes.




TBC>>>>>>>