Tina was shocked, not because some of her personal business was obviously not so personal but because Kate’s distiling of the facts was so brutally to the point. The last year of her life has been summed up in two sentences and with none of the emotion that was usually attached to this particular state of affairs. Tina stared hard at her wine glass whilst Kate looked straight ahead wondering whether she had overstepped the mark.

“I’m sorry, that all came out in a rush.”

“No, it’s OK. Bette’s not the reason why I returned to work. Bette’s not the reason why I do anything any more.” Even as the words were forming on her lips Tina knew she was making a liar out of herself. The reason why she was in this city, sitting at this bar was because of Bette.

“So why did you come back?” asked Kate

“Because I needed to get something for myself. Something that I could grasp hold of and call my own.” The emotion was starting to come to the surface now and Tina didn’t want this. This was supposed to be the fresh start not some retreading of old ground. God knows she’d been over this countless times with Shane and Alice.

Kate tried to think of the appropriate response that would reduce the tension that had suddenly enveloped the two women. Fortunately for Kate Tina dug her out of a hole.

“That wasn’t the answer you were expecting was it?” said Tina, the brief moment of anger had now been replaced by something that was closer to resignation.

“To be honest, no. I guess having seen the way the way you’ve handled everything that has happened in the last two weeks it’s hard for me to believe that you couldn’t have the things that you wanted.”

“I used to think that. I used to think that I did have something of my own, something that I wouldn’t have to share with anyone. Sometimes we see the world as we want it to be and not how it really is. When I lost that one thing I got a big dose of how the world really is” Tina smiled ruefully knowing that she was alluding to the problem instead of dealing with it head on. The oldest habits die the hardest.

Kate knew she was playing with fire now but she couldn’t help herself. “Bette cheated didn’t she?”

“Yes” It was barely a whisper but Kate heard.

“She says she regrets it.” said Tina a little louder.

“And there ain’t nothing like regret…….

“To remind you you’re alive.” After finishing Kate’s sentence for her Tina decided to call it a night.

“Goodnight Kate, and thank you.”

Kate wasn’t sure what she was being thanked for but she smiled at Tina before heading up to her room.