The drive was silent – Tina was tired and drained emotionally
“What are your commitments for the next few weeks?”
“Well, I was supposed to be getting married “
“Sorry “Bette cringed
“We were idly talking about a honeymoon, but we never made a call on it. I have writes and rewrites to get on with “
“I have the show to keep ticking over – and more meetings with Marcus’s family about his work “
“That picture – Jesus Bette “
“Yeah, I know – it’s beautiful and stunning and his talent was something else “
“What a waste “
“Yes “
“Did we do the right thing Bette – letting her “
“Yes – she needs to have some connection to her background. What she said when we went to family therapy – that has gone round and round in my head ever since. I know it hurt her – I can see the pain and I can see it will change her. But change is what she needs as she becomes an adult. “

Bette had never been to Carrie and Tina’s rented house – it was in a standard street of a non-descript location. Bette hated it on first sight but kept her opinion to herself. Bette followed Tina inside – the house was nice – nothing more. No obvious personal touches – well maybe Carrie had removed any of her things. Bette looked at Tina – she looked close to tears
“Would a hug help right now or not?”
Tina smiled “I am not sure “
“Well, if you decide its what you need “Bette managed to speak casually.
Tina walked away and after standing still for a few minutes looking around the room Bette followed Tina. She was in a small bedroom – dominated by a large double bed with a red duvet. Tina’s familiar hard-shelled case was on the bed, and she was packing clothes.
“Can I do anything?”
“Eh – can you get my stuff from the bathroom?”
“Sure “
Bette followed Tina’s gesture and collected the items that she instinctively knew were Tina’s. When she went back into the bedroom Tina was holding a tee-shirt – it wasn’t hers. It was a possession of Carrie’s that her ultra-effective PA had not collected.
There was a score of reactions she could have offered – her instinct told her to say something. But for once she didn’t – she walked back into the living room and for want of something to do she opened her phone and reviewed her messages
Nothing from Pippa – well that just put off the inevitably stormy confrontation.
A few messages about the show – it was a huge hit and why was she not there
A good luck message from Helena Peabody
And what was this from Gigi? Dani had been arrested – what the fuck
“What the fuck “Bette exclaimed
“What the fuck what?” Tina asked coming through with her case
“Dani has been arrested “
“Why?”
“Fuck knows “Bette admitted “Am I the only one who thinks this has been an utterly fucked up day?”
“No, you are not alone “
“You okay “
“Can I have that hug?”
“Of course, “
Tina walked into Bette’s arms – she held her ex wife close. She felt better than any woman ever had or ever would. Bette could feel Tina crumbling and she squeezed her tighter. Whatever it took Bette would do – whatever Bette had to do to make holding Tina a daily pleasure – a glorious habit – something that she did whenever they wanted. She would even face her own demons – the demons that she had fought and rarely conquered. As Tina pointed out – who gets to fifty-seven without facing her demons and staring them down.