“Alice – you cannot go to an TV network and propose they spend millions on a show called “Alice in Lezzy Land “– it was funny once but it won’t get you a TV deal “

Alice nodded “Yeah – I know that. We are thinking of just calling it ALICE “

“That is a much better idea “

“Thank you – anyway “Alice picked her phone up “How’s Tina?”

After skim reading the headlines of her newest three emails in her inbox Alice realised that Bette hadn’t replied to her question about Bette’s wife. She looked up at Bette and was horrified to see that the brunette was crying
“BETTE “
Bette swallowed and did her best to rub the tears from her cheeks
“What is it – is she okay – has something happened?”

Bette sighed and took several deep breaths as she tried to compose herself. Alice dropped her phone and rested her hand on Bette’s – for all her cool exterior Alice knew just what a wreck Bette had been at stages in her life and how much she loved the blonde who had become her wife for a second time only 3 years previous.

“Bette – please “
Bette gulped back another wave of tears
“She is having an affair “

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.
Alice cursed time differences as she dialled Helena for the third time in less than an hour – so yes it was 5am in Britain – shouldn’t Helena be up at that hour. For the third time the call went to her voice mail. Alice swore and picking up her laptop she dialled Helena on Skype – amazingly the call was answered
“Hello “
“Peabody “
“Alice – what the heck is so important that you are skyping me at 5:30am?”
“Are you awake ?”
“Barely “
“That will do – now sit up and listen “
There was a long silence on the other end of call. Finally, Alice heard Helena sigh
“Make this snappy Alice “
“This isn’t a snappy call”
Another pause
“Okay Al – fire away. I will just get back into bed “
“Are you alone ?”
“Yes, I am. I would not be answering skype calls at 5:30am if I had someone to distract me “
“You need to get laid “
“Yes Alice – so you keep telling me – now what is so urgent that you wake me up – if this is about your nutty podcast I will insert your podcast somewhere very painful “
Alice paused – still not believing the words she was about to say
“Tina is having an affair and Bette knows about it “
A silence – a long silence
“Are you still there “
“Yes – yes of course I am – did you just say that Tina – as in Tina Kennard is having an AFFAIR “
“Yes – she has been having an affair for three months and Bette has discovered the affair and confronted Tina who has not denied it “
Several swear words followed – Alice let the outburst run its course – the only difference between what Alice had said when Bette had told her and what Helena was now saying was the accent – someone the words had more impact when expressed in Helena’s cut glass English accent.
“You do swear so beautifully “
Helena was silent for a few seconds
“God – tell me what you know Alice -Tina CHEATING on Bette – that just blows me away “
“Bette presented her with her suspicions and Tina did not deny it – say she is in love with her “
“And who is the her – has Bette not ripped this woman’s head off?”
“She was going to until Tina said that it wasn’t a fling and that she is in love “
“Who the heck is she Alice ?”
“No one we know – Tina works with her – she is a set designer I think – she is called Kate.”
“How is Bette?”
“I haven’t seen her this devastated since the last time they split up – she is utterly destroyed “
“Not surprised – can I do anything – tell me and I will drop everything and come over “
“Thanks Helena – I am not sure what any of us can do until they know themselves “
“Is it over for them?”
“Bette says it is – she is going to lose her wife and her daughter “
“Angie – oh no – will she not get access?”
“Bette is seeing a lawyer next week – she wants to know her options “
“Do they have a prenup ?”
“They do – but nothing about Angie insanely enough “
“Have you spoken to Tina ?”
“No “
“Are you going to ?”
“I haven’t decided “
“Why not?”
“Why do you think? Seeing Bette like that – it really tore into me. I know she can be arrogant and all the things we know she is but she has the kindest heart and all she has ever wanted is Tina and Angie – and now Tina is going to take all of that away from her. Bette isn’t going to survive without Tina “
“She will find a way “
“I hope she will – but this is so screwed up Helena – what has any woman got that Bette Porter doesn’t have – is this woman hotter than Porter because I don’t think that is possible. This is going to tear Bette apart – she was talking about standing for office you know – as soon as that orange, tiny handed Cheeto took office she said – I am going to fight him – and she meant it. “
“I have talked to her about that – Peggy and I had dinner with her last year in New York – mother is going to back her to the hilt – have you ever heard Peggy on the Pervert in Chief? “
“No, I have not had the pleasure – think she will do the podcast ?”
“Only if you want it to go viral for all the vicious and true things, she says about him – she has encountered him more than once. Next time you see her – ask her -she has some stories – and no – they are not for the podcast. Where was I? “
“Bette running for office “
“This will derail all of that “
“Yes -she isn’t going to get over this in a hurry “
“And on top of Kit “
Alice rubbed the tears from her eyes and didn’t speak
“You okay Alice?”
“Bette isn’t going be able to deal with this “
“I meant what I said Alice – the minute you need me to come to LA I will be there – I don’t care what else I have on – I will be there for Bette. Should I ring Tina?”
“I will try and talk to her but as you know – she makes Bette seem reasonable at times. Once Tina makes her mind up about something nothing will change her mind – and what other man or woman has made her happy like Bette does “
“People change Al “
“You think you know someone “
“What do you think will happen ?”
“I think Bette will beg her not to leave and she will ignore her and leave her anyway “
“Tina is our friend as well”
“You weren’t around when Tina found out that Bette was getting it on with the hired hand”
“I missed that – I arrived a couple of months later – just in time to get right in the middle of things by seducing a very pregnant Tina – oh dear – cannot believe I did that “
“Not your finest moment “
“No – I did it out of pure spite – God I was a real piece of work “
“You were – anyway – when we found out what Bette had done; we all were there for Tina. In retrospect we should not have cut Bette off – Bette needed people around her – she went to a very dark place. I just worry that there will be nothing to stop her going back to that dark, isolated place. Without Kit and Dana and with Shane in Paris – there aren’t many people who are going to be able to pull her back. I have a huge presentation about the podcast in three weeks. For once Helena – I have to do some hard work and focus “
Helena laughed “I think I will come to LA just to see that Alice “
“It’s not funny “
“No – no it isn’t -when do you think Tina will leave?”
“Soon I think from what Bette says. If Tina is sleeping with this woman and she says she loves her and wants to be with her -then – well there is no point just twisting the knife any more”
“Have you spoken to Shane ?”
“Not yet “
“Okay – leave that to me – I will ring her when it is a reasonable hour in Paris and talk to her. My mother will let me have the plane and when the ball drops – we will there for Bette”
Alice cried for a few minutes – Helena understood her feelings. She felt a horrible gut-wrenching pain for her friend Bette. They had all gone through so much hurt together and this was another unexpected blow for all of them – but especially for Bette. Helena rubbed her own eyes
“Go and get some sleep Alice – by the time you wake up I will have spoken to Shane and we will be ready to come over to lend what support she needs. If you talk to her – tell her that I love her and I will be there for her – same goes for Peggy”