“Is Bette free now ?”

“Yes – lunch arrived about five minutes ago so there might be something left if you get inside quickly “

“Thank you James “

I  knock on the door and when I hear Bette’s voice I go inside. Bette is reading – her glasses perched on the end of her nose.

“Hey there Madam President “

She looks up “Hey sweetheart – I will be five minutes okay ?”

“Take your  time “

I sit down and regard the salad and bread and chicken that is laid out on a tray on the table. I pour some coffee and watch Bette for a few minutes. After about ten minutes Bette takes her glasses off and comes over to join me. She sits down beside me and we kiss gently

“Nice – really nice “

“How was your morning ?”

“Lots of paperwork and emails  – what about you ? James said that Shane isn’t in this morning “

“No she is not “

“You were going to fire her “

“I was “ Bette sighs and picks up a piece of cucumber and nibbles at it. She picks up some bread and makes herself a small sandwich with some chicken and lettuce. She eats it quickly and looks at me

“I am thinking again about how I handle it “

“Any reason ?”

“I had a very long and very interesting conversation with Alice “

“How did Alice take it  – or did you not ask for her resignation ?”

“She arrived with her letter already written “

That does surprise me “Really ?”

“Yes – she wants to leave without a fuss or any hassle. She is planning to do some travelling – she had already made her mind up – when I asked to see her she knew what I was going to ask for and she was saving me the trouble “

“Wow – that is a real surprise “

“I know – she’s changed – really much calmer than she was – it was a pleasant and constructive conversation. She made so much sense and she had a lot to say about Shane”

“You did say that you didn’t think that Alice’s heart was in it any more “