“I’m going to dance,” said Lena decidedly, setting her wrap and purse on the table and standing, after a steward had offered more drinks.

“Me too” said Marie standing with a smile, Richard was busy in conversation with a collegue who had sat beside him

They joined the throng of bodies on the dance floor, and soon Alice and Dana joined them also.

Shane found herself being honed in on by Tina and Bette, who were watching her intently; with soft smiles lighting their lips.  She shifted in her seat and tried to ignore them, but finding herself zoning in on the movement of Lena’s body as she danced.  Sighing she looked back at the two women, were still watching closely.

“What?” she asked slightly exasperated

The smile on Tina’s face merely widened as she and Bette exchanged a glance.

“Nothing,” replied Bette, picking up her cocktail and taking a sip, trying to hide a widening smile on her lips.

“Shut up,” said Shane mockingly, and rolled her eyes at the two

“What?” asked Tina with apparent innocence “We like her”

“And its obvious you like her” added Bette

“Well she’s nice” replied Shane as if liking the woman was a crime

Bette and Tina merely smiled again

“What?” said Shane again, pouting slightly

“What?” reiterated Bette, shrugging

Tina couldn’t help but giggle slightly and turned her attention to the crowd.

“You two are so immature,” muttered Shane, fiddling with the edge of the table cloth

As the night moved on, Lena found herself being introduced to a few editors and big wigs of magazines and newspapers and found herself caught up momentarily as each offered advice or work options to her.   Eventually she was armed with a handful of business cards and a few offers, which she made a mental note of following up.  Finally as the DJ was winding down the party, she made her way back to the table, where most of the group sat talking.  Alice and Dana it seemed had a limitless tolerance for the dance floor and seemed glued to it and each other until the last possible note was played.  Lena sat slightly exhausted from all the dancing and talking and apologised hastily for being caught up so long.