Mom Ellie exclaimed breathlessly, slamming in to the passenger side of Bettes Mercedes.

Bette closed the door of the automobile and looked across at her daughter, as she wound down the window.

Baby, Ive just got to pop back to the gallery to get my laptop, okay, moms on her way home. She should be here in a few minutes. Tell, her I wont be long.

Ellie frowned.

Okay. Mom? Ellie said. You really should try roller blading.

Bette leaned her head a little to one side and a small chuckle escaped her lips.

Ellie I have no desire to roller blade.

Its excellent exercise you know. She informed her mother. You might like it. You dont think you would but you would.

I would? Do you think?

Yes. I love to roller blade up and down this street with my I-pod and earplugs. Ellie said dreamily.

I know, and you go too fast. Bette shouted, watching Ellie as she skated off up the street. Ellie. Please be careful. She chided, as she backed the car off the driveway.

I will. She shouted back, disappearing out of sight.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Earlier That Morning . . .

Her cell phone rang just as she was debating whether or not to get herself out of bed.

Hi, Bette?

Hi baby, its only me, wot ya doin?

Tina stifled a yawn.

Nothing. Whats up?

Nothing. I just wondered if you could pick up the cake on your way home from work, only I have a meeting with an artist, that I cant get out of.

She sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed.

What – again? But you promised you would.

I know T, but were really busy over here, and you know how awkward they can be.

It wasnt just the fact that collecting Ellies birthday cake would mean a thirty- minute detour in rush hour traffic. It was the fact that her wife had done it again. Something between a growl, a hiss, and a despairing sigh escaped from between Tinas clenched teeth.

Ah, ***** Bette, why cant you let somebody else take the responsibility for once, you do own the place. Why cant you, just say no?

I will baby, next time. She promised. And Tina knew she meant it, just had she had meant it on the last twenty occasions. She had lost count of the number of times Bettes dinner had dried to a shrivelled mess in the oven.

See you later T, I love you. Bette added.

Yeah. Right.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*


Tina nudged open the front gate with her *****, purse strap over one arm, shopping bag in one hand and Ellies cake perilously balanced in the other.

Now would be a nice time to come to my rescue, Bette, Tina thought, but of course she wouldnt because Bette was too busy nursemaiding a bloody artist. She felt slightly ashamed of her own resentment, but hey, everybody was entitled to be unreasonable sometimes, even Tina Kennard.

It took all her ingenuity to get the front door open without dropping everything, and she felt a flush of achievement as she finally kicked the door shut and dumped the cake on the couch.

Ellie? No answer. Ellie are you home? Great she had time, to hide the cake before Ellie came in. Her daughter might be exultant about making it to the grand old age of twelve, but no one was ever too old for surprises.

The answering machine was flashing obtrusively. Against her better judgement Tina pressed play.

Hello sweetheart, its mummy calling from London. Sorry I cant be there with you, Ill give you a call in the morning to wish you Happy Birthday. I love you Ellie, bye darling.

The second message was from Helenas mother.

Hiya Ellie, grandma Peggy here, calling from New York, just ringing to wish you happy birthday, twelve years old today! Whoopie! Then followed an out of tune chorus of Happy Birthday To You. That sounded like it was being sung like a couple of six year olds instead of a multi millionairehess and her trusty sidekick Jose.
I hope you get to eat lots of cakes and jellies. Bye Pumpkin.

Tina shook her head in amusement. Trust Peggy to get Ellies birthday wrong. As nice as she might be, you could never accuse her of being organised.

Jellies?

Tina turned around and nearly jumped out of her skin when she found Ellie standing right behind her, her ear plugs dangling from her neck.

Mom. Ellie said firmly. Only little kids eat jello. I am not a little kid any more I am twelve.

I know. Thought Tina with a pang of regret. Youre not a little girl anymore, youre growing up so fast, youll have kids of your own in no time at all.

I know baby, thats what grandma Peggy used to have when she was a little girl, everyone ate jello at parties in those days.

Oh, okay. Whats in the box mom?

What box?

The one youve thrown your coat over. You are not very good at hiding things are you mom? You would be no good at being a spy. Ellies eyes lit up. Is that my birthday cake?

Who says youre getting a birthday cake? Teased Tina.

Mom!

Well maybe youre too old for a cake?

Mom, thats not fair. Ellie tried to peak underneath Tinas coat. Its not a stupid baby cake like Barbie or something is it? She asked dismay written all over her face.

Tina tapped Ellie on the nose.

Never you mind. You will just have to wait and see. The big days not until tomorrow.

Ellie pouted.

Ill ask mom when she gets home. Ill bet shell let me have a look.

Ah, well thats where youre wrong madam, because moms not going to know where Ive hidden it.




(To Be Continued.)