I smile – walk across remove the chocolates from her side and sit down and take hold of my daughter

“Hello sweetie – have you missed me ?”

“She is so lovely “

“She is – is there a reason you are worried about Alice’s health ?”

“I hate that she smokes “

“Its not a good habit “

“She has cut down but I wish she would stop “

“Does she know how you feel ?”

“She keeps telling me that she will cut back “

“Have you told her that you feel strongly about how grand-dad died of lung cancer ?”

“No “

“Maybe you should – maybe she just needs to know why you are concerned. I once caught Bette smoking – it was just after I found out I was pregnant and I ripped her apart. She was terrified of upsetting me in anyway so she just sat and took this huge tirade about smoking and what I would do to her if I caught her ever again. She daren’t even look at a cigarette now. “

“Alice’s defence has always been that she doesn’t smoke as much as Shane “

“In the current circumstances – that is no excuse anymore “

“I know “

“What does Alice feel about this ? “

“Alice is worried sick for Shane and feels guilt because the two of us didn’t really reach out to her when things were starting to unfold for her “

“I think that we are all guilty of that “

“Alice does think that Bette needs to keep out of this “

“I have made the same point “

“How did it go downstairs ?”

“Surveillance to see what the hell she is up to “

“Bugging her ?”

“I don’t know and I am not asking and I wouldn’t be told. You would be unwise to ask Alice “

“We are working out our what to tell one another in pillow talk “

“Got the tee-shirt “

“Bette never tell you any state secrets ?”

“If she has I was probably asleep at the time. I was her Press Secretary so I had security clearance to be told a

lot of things. Yes she discusses things with me – it would be bad for her not to “

Lucy leans back and looks at me

“How do you feel about Alice and I now ?”

“I was wrong about the two of you. In my defence Alice was being a pain in the ass – mainly because the two of us were both trying to protect Bette and we were just doing it from different angles – I was in the wrong and so was she “

“She gets a bee in her bonnet but I love how protective she is of Bette “

“I know that – thanks to you Alice and I get on really well again “

“I think she was disappointed not to be asked to join your team “

“I would have asked her but we were barely speaking – anyway – she is better off helping Bette “

“Eh – how do you feel about us living together ?”

“I am sure that the two of you live in a state of abject untidiness – but you two fit together “

Lucy looks at me

“We are thinking about getting married “

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