“I do wonder about the sanity of any woman who would turn you down “

“There were many of them at University

– I guess it was at lot to do with how confident you were and I was so much of a bookworm that I don’t think I exactly gave off an aura of supreme confidence. I would like you to meet them “

“What do you suggest ?”

“Well I am pretty sure that I want both of them on board

– they have passed all the vetting hoops and security are happy enough with them so if they started it would probably be after Christmas. I think I will invite the rest of the Senior staff in for a drink to meet their new colleagues – I would like you and Kit to come along if possible “

Bette has changed since we got together

– as she says – more mature about relationships and a really great wife. I smile at her

“I shouldn’t be surprised when you amaze me but I do and I shouldn’t. Kate doesn’t mean anything to me Bette

– she is someone I was with when I was a very different person to the one that I am now “

“I do know that “ she gets up and sits next to me on the sofa and takes my hand

“I guess marriage is about growth as much as it is about love and everything else and since I met you Tina I have changed and I have become a better person to be with. I was probably immature because I was so inexperienced. Its been a struggle with my own inner demons but you have to know that I do trust you and I do know that what you and I have is really precious for both of us. We have something special you and I

“

“We do and Kate Arden isn’t going to change the way I feel about you Bette “

Bette kisses my hand “Thank you for telling me “

“That’s what couples who trust each other do

– you were up front about your relationship with Bernie”

“My lack of relationship with Bernie “

“Exactly

– Bette. We have been through a hard time for a lot of reasons and we have worked hard at getting things back on an even keel. I am not going to do anything that threatens us – I don’t think Bernie or Kate can threaten us”

Bette smiles “What have you got planned for tonight ?”

“I thought we could cuddle up on the sofa and find some really soppy movie to watch”

“Sounds like something I will enjoy “

I kiss Bette and sigh “James said I could see you as long as you were still free to go down to the sit room at 4 – its quarter to”

“Yeah

– I better finish what I was doing – I should be finished by 6 “

“I will be finished as soon as possible “

I kiss Bette and I leave her office and go back to mine. I have just got back to my desk when the door opens and Helena stands in the doorway

“Hey there “

“Helena

– how are you – its good to see you – how have you been ?”

She comes in and we hug. I don’t know how this is going to go because I don’t know if she know why Bette wants rid of her as my chief of staff

“I am fine- what about you

– how was your holiday with Bette ?”

“It was wonderful – a real tonic for all three of us”

“And how is my little angel ?”

“Ella is just great – she loved being in the sea and beside the sea and having her mom and her granddad building her sandcastles – she had the best time you could imagine”

“That’s really great

– I have missed her “

“You should come and see her

– she has missed her Auntie Helena”

“I will

– I did buy her a couple of things when I was away “

“We can fix up a time for you to see her “

Helena smiles “I would like that a lot

– Tina – I’m pregnant “