“I feel even worse now Alice

– what if Bette goes off her just because of the past – it was 20 years ago Al – I haven’t seen her since and we must have moved in similar circles “

“She was in Australia for about seven years “

“There you go “

Alice stops to bend down and make sure Ella is warm enough before looking at me

“You have to make this call Tina “

“I will have to tell her

– if she finds out from anywhere else she is going to feel that I have something to hide – which I do not “

“Well I would say that you need to tell her and tell her today – Kate and Bernie are due in tomorrow for a final chat with Bette and CJ”

“Well Bernie has a history with Bette “

“She mentioned that she knew her “

“Bette had a serious thing abut Bernie and would have liked for her to be as interested as Bette was. Bette said that she picked up a lot of mixed messages from her “

“And that was when ?”

“When she was at University “

“Bette didn’t mention that

– she did say that she was at college with her which anyone who read her resume would be able to work out”

“I got the impression that she was someone who got away as it were

– Bette wanted Bernie but it doesn’t seem like it was a two way thing. Bette doesn’t even know which way Bernie leans”

“Having talked to CJ who has seen her file

– she swings for both teams “

We walk for a few more minutes and soon are on the circuit back to the entrance to the White House

“Do you want my advice ?”

“As you are virtually my sister in law I could stand to hear some “

“Tell her as soon as possible

– get James to find you some time and tell her – don’t tell her when she is off the clock. This is a professional appointment and you are telling her something that might affect her assessment of Kate “

Alice is making a lot of sense