“Um, hi Alice” Tina wasn’t really sure if she should be angry at her or not.

“Bet you weren’t expecting to see me here”

“Not really, no” Tina admitted.

“Well I just wanted to apologise for yesterday. I didn’t mean to freak you out like that. I guess I never really figured out how what I had to say would affect you, and I’m sorry. I had my reasons, and I hope you’ll understand once you’ve found out why” Alice smiled hopefully.

“I’m guessing your reasons are in some way connected to this whole little game I seem to be playing?”

“Yeah”

“Then I’m sure I’ll be able to forgive you”

“You’re a better woman than I am, you know that Tina? You’ve changed the unchangeable. You’ve done what I never could – you made Bette Porter fall in love”

Tina smiled “maybe some things are just meant to be”

“You know, until now I never really believed in fate. I always thought everything happened because of people’s actions. But now I believe that Bette and I were meant to break up, you were meant to lose that earring and the two of you were meant to fall in love”

“I hope that’s true”

“Geez, you really have an effect on people. First Bette falling in love, and now me acting all sentimental. What’s up with that?”

Tina laughed “just a special talent, I guess!”

“I’m so happy for you” Alice threw her arms around Tina.

“Alright, calm down!” Tina laughed.

“Okay now take this” Alice handed Tina a note “before I start blabbing secrets I’m not supposed to”

“Secrets, huh?” Tina raised an eyebrow.

“It’s killing me, believe me. Now go” Alice shooed Tina away.

“Okay, I’ll see you later” Tina headed for her car.

“Bye!” Alice waved and grinned knowingly.

Once Tina had got into the car she took the time to read the note Alice had given her.

T,
So Alice didn’t make you run away this time? It means a lot that you’re giving me this time, it won;t be long now, I promise. Do you remember where we first met? Because I will never forget it.
Go there now.
I love you
Bette x

Tina leant her head back on the headrest and smiled. She remembered that night at the gallery, how she’d admired Bette and how her heart had slmost stopped beating when she came to talk to her. She realised now that that was the moment when she’d first fallen for her. Her body remembered the electricity that had been created when they touched; Bette’s gentle caress as she put back Tina’s earring. She put the note down and headed for Bette’s work place.

When she arrived Tina headed straight for the main gallery. It looked so different at night – so dark and empty. As she walked in slowly there was still no sign of Bette. The sound of her heels on the wooden floor was the only noise that broke the silence. The place stirred so many emotions within Tina – excitement, anticipation, longing, passion and most of all, love. She walked to the painting they’d stood in front of when Bette had noticed that her earring was missing. Leant against the plaque was another note.

T,
It was here that I first felt the fire between us, and I know you felt it too. It was here that I was first captivated by your beauty. I’m pretty sure that it was here that I first started to fall in love with you.
Follow the trail to the place where we first kissed.
I love you
Bette x

Tina looked down and saw a trail of rose petals heading out of the gallery towards Bette’s office, the setting of their first kiss. The kiss had scared Tina – she was afraid of what she was feeling, afraid of the unknown. In some ways she’d changed a lot since then, but in other ways she still had those fears. She still ran away when she didn’t know what else to do, and she was starting to feel guilty about it.

Taking a deep breath, she followed the trail of rose petals to Bette’s office.