“Where’s your tea, Hel?” Alice asked while putting a kettle of water on the stove in the Peabody rented mansion. She was amazed with all of the very sophisticated kitchen devices the British woman owned. Alice probably could not name half of them and absolutely not use them. Alice preferred to eat out; she had never gotten the hang of home cooking. It was absolutely not something Lenore liked to indulge in, so little Alice was raised with takeout. When she got her own place Alice just did as she used to. She ate out. Why should she eat at home when she could have better food at a restaurant, was her common reply if anyone complained. Dana, on the other hand, was all for family dinners, although the tennis player was not that sufficient in the kitchen department either. Her girlfriend was like some sort of very cute clich, Alice thought. Nothing was as good as Sharon’s cooking to Dana. Maybe Lara’s, she caught herself thinking darkly, but ignored the uneasy feeling in her stomach.

Now, after Helena had cried all she needed to cry for the moment, she had graciously invited Alice down for tea. Since she was not in a condition to serve the tea herself, and the stern fifty something woman seemed to have left for the evening, it was up to Alice. At least that was not a problem. At least she knew how to put a kettle on.

“In the cupboard over the sink, ‘Mad’.” Helena giggled a little. Alice gave her a look. “Yes, I know. My sense of humour is under all critique. Especially when I’m drinking.” She sighed.

“It’s not that bad.” Alice said in mock comfort. “At least I know one person who likes that movie now.” Alice smiled wide and continued to take down some teacups, with the help of Helena’s directions.

“You DON’T like Death becomes her?!” The heiress spat out, trying to fixate Alice’s gaze, who just chuckled quietly.

“I like it. But I know a lot of people who doesn’t.” The journalist answered with infinite patience.

“How can someone not like it?” Helena asked with power in her voice. “Anything with Meryl Streep is quality! That woman is a goddess!” She exclaimed, rising to her feet, waving her arms in a way that Alice guessed was supposed to be goddess-like.