Bette dodged behind a wall for the fifth time tonight. She was doing her best to avoid even looking at Helena and Tina, and definitely not wanting them to see her. She just knew one look at Helenas triumphant sneer would have her aching to punch her, and that would not be a good thing. A lovely thought, but not something she could get away with. Unfortunately.

She should be able to escape soon. It was obvious that her chances of talking to Tina alone were non-existent. Helena was all over her, and it was killing Bette to have to watch.

Two ***** hours, and she still hasnt let go of her! Damn that *****! I bet she knows Im here lurking and watching.

Bette hadnt been able to do much of her usual networking, she had been so distracted by Helenas possessive display. Surrealism wasnt really her thing, being more into modern abstract pieces. Franklin had shot her a few disapproving glares when she hadnt joined him to schmooze some possible financial backers for the CAC, but the presence of Helena and Tina a few yards away from him had made it impossible for her to emerge from behind a large potted plant that was her vantage point.

She was considering calling it a night when she was suddenly captivated by a painting at the other end of the gallery she was currently hiding in.

Wow, this was one of Tinas favourites – Dalis Christ of St John of the Cross. The large painting was one of his later works, less surreal in many ways than Passage of Time or his more famous and recognizable pieces. There was a dream-like beauty to it, which they had seen when on a visit to Glasgow a few years back. Gallery trips werent usually part of their vacations, but Tina had dragged Bette to see this one.

My Grandmother had a copy of this on the wall of her bedroom, she had told Bette. When I used to stay with her, I would wake up early in the morning and creep in to look at it. She was quite religious, and had all these pictures and statues, which I always found quite scary. But this picture was different, I just loved to look at it.  It was her favourite too. She always said how it gave her a sense of peace, just to gaze at it. Tina had been captivated, and Bette had really enjoyed seeing Tinas animated enthusiasm.