“OK.” Bette said and proceeded to entertain Tina with stories from her past.

Tina noticed that Bette had some red curry sauce on her chin and reached over to wipe it off with her napkin.  It did not go unnoticed by either of them that her fingers remained her Bette’s jaw a little too long and the movement employed to wipe away the offending sauce was more of a caress.

Bette was so tempted at that moment to reach over and kiss Tina and just as she began to lean forward her mobile sounded.

They both silently cursed and Bette said “I suppose I better get that”

Bette didn’t recognise the caller id so answered the phone “Hello!”

“How do, is that you Betty? It’s Simon Huntley-Palmerton here, look old girl I’m just in Avenue Road and I can’t for the life of me remember your address.”

Bette rolled her eyes at Tina to indicate her displeasure with the caller.

“The address is 39 Abbeville Road, just press the intercom and announce yourself and by the way if you wish to avoid my displeasure you’ll refrain from calling me Betty.”

“Sure thing Bets old girl.”

Without responding Bette just closed her phone. “He is such an insufferable prig.” Bette said to no one in particular. “He’s only invited tonight to give us the opportunity to win some of our money back he has had an amazing run of luck the last few games we’ve played.”

They began to clear up the dinner things and Bette took Tina into the den to prepare for the poker game.

The guests all arrived and were shown to the den, as Tina was a new player Rob as first dealer introduced the game.  The game rolled on for a couple of hours with Bette and two of the other players folding early.  Rob was down to his last few chips and finally declared himself out.  The pot was evenly split between Tina and Huntley-Palmerton when Tina said she had to retire as she had a long journey and needed to make her way home. 

Always the opportunist Huntley-Palmerton said “I’ll take you Tina, perhaps we could stop off for a drink.”

Tina looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights; Bette immediately picked up on her discomfort, “That won’t be necessary I’ve already taken care of Tina’s requirements.”

The guests began to make their way out after thanking Bette for her hospitality.  Huntley-Palmerton gave it one last shot. “Look Tina, it’s no bother for me to take you home.”  

“But I think it would bother me.” Tina said without a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

“Goodnight Simon.” Bette said through a chuckle at Tina’s response.  Once she’d shut the door she turned to Tina “That guy is so slimy that every time I speak with him I feel I need to bathe.” 

“Bette, I just want to say I’ve had a fantastic day today and it’s

a shame it has to end but I really do have to get home.”

“Then don’t let it end.”

Before she could ask Bette to clarify her statement Bette had leaned forward and planted the softest sweetest kiss on Tina’s lips.      

TBC