Honeymoon Bliss  Bette ’But soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east and Juliet is the sun.’ It can neve […]

Bette’s POV  

‘And so instead I ended up changing my spare room into an atelier.’

Mesmerized by the movement of Tina’s hands as she moistens them with hand cream I barely notice that my mother in law is prob […]

Bette’s POV 

A story has no beginning or end; arbitrarily one chooses that moment of experience from which to look back or from which to look ahead…

‘Shall I wrap that one too for you?’

‘That won’t be n […]

Bette’s POV 

LA – months ago.

The paintings on the walls, the green couch, the robust dining table, the carpet for contrast on the wooden floor – a still life on a canvas. Everything is exactly how Tina le […]

Tina’s POV     

As Bette leans in for a kiss that I’m sure would be just as delicious as the one she gave me before I left for work this morning, I turn my head aside and step back.

‘Tee, what’s wrong?’

‘ […]

Tina’s POV 

Paris,  months ago      

‘What are you doing here?’ I growl when Helena makes her grand entrance into my bedroom dressed in Dior and smelling like Chanel, and cover my eyes when she je […]

Bette’s POV 

Untying the sleaves of my running jacket around my middle I slow down to walking pace and put it on. Spring should be around the corner, but tonight it doesn’t look like that. My accelerated brea […]

Tina’s POV   

‘Couples Quiz really?’ I raise my eyebrow at her, amused by her idea and even more by her sudden shyness. I asked her to come over to watch a movie, but she said she has a better idea. For me i […]

Chapter 15

Tina’s POV     

‘What do you think about this one?’ Bette points at the large canvas standing at the easel in one of the light chambers of the chateaux. We drove here this morning […]

Tina’s POV

I left that bar ecstatic a few days ago, silly I know, since there are no guarantees that anything will work out. Just the thought that she is in Paris, not too far away dragged me through the days a […]

Chapter 13

Bette’s POV

The warm water cascades down on me, providing a short relief to my stiff muscles. Raising up my face to the continuous stream I let my tears run freely, hoping the shower will wa […]

Chapter 12

Tina’s POV     

I taught myself from a young age to say goodbye. Not to get to close too people. Not to get attached, because there’s always a farewell somewhere around the corner. […]

Chapter 11

Tina’s POV        

There’s a whole life ongoing outside, on the streets, people scurrying for last-minute Christmas shopping, doing groceries or on their way to friends or family. All […]

Chapter 10

Tina’s POV    

‘She is already on the highest dose of morphine, this is all I can add.’ The tall, distinguished doctor says as he gently empties the injection with a sleeping cocktail i […]

Chapter 9

Tina’s POV 

I sit down on the bed, holding Renee’s hand as she slowly wakes up from a restless sleep, the pained growl leaving her mouth sends ice shards down my spine, a grimace of pain slid […]

Chapter 8

Tina’s POV

Last days have been excruciating. It’s like we landed in this downward spiral and every day we just slip further down. When I see Bette sweet and caring with Renee, doing every […]

Chapter 7

Tina’s POV          

A few days ago Renee told us she decided to go home. The underlying meaning of her words hit us both hard, she wants to come home to die. Bette and I had a long talk ab […]

Chapter 6

Tina’s POV      

The doorman greets me as I enter the majestic building that never ceases to take my breath away. Since the first time I visited Bette in Paris all these years ago, the Ritz was my […]

Chapter 5

Tina’s POV

After Bette left last night I sat on the couch for hours, just staring into nothing. Seeing her in the apartment, the turn our conversation took, her scent that lingered around me […]

Chapter 4

Bette’s POV   

It’s pouring when the taxi stops in front of the apartment building that I know so well. Slowly I get out and from under my umbrella I look up at the beautiful white stone buildi […]