They heard the bell for dinner and Alexa stood up dragging Helena with her.  Helena pulled back on her arm leading Alexa into a sultry kiss.

‘Oh girls you can eat each other later, right now we have a 5 course dinner waiting for us,’ said Peggy from the door.

Helena and Alexa pulled apart, stunned and embarrassed by the situation and the comment.  Peggy left the balcony with a quick smile and Alexa knew she should be mortified but she took one look at Helena’s shocked expression and peels of laughter overtook her.  ‘Your mother is truly unique, I’ll say that,’ said Alexa and Helena laughed along with her as they headed to the table.

In contrast to the norm, whereby Peggy would place Helena at the other end of the table so they could each work their business contacts, she had in fact arranged that Alexa and Helena sit either side of her.  Alexa was at first a little perturbed at being separated from her lover but soon fell into conversation with one of the scientists from Helena’s research division as he informed her of the developments on their new projects.

Helena was glad to see Alexa getting along well with Travis but she was left with a choice to strike up a conversation with either her mother or her right-hand man Randolph, it really was a rock and a hard place.  ‘So Helena I hear you successfully secured further funding for your latest project,’ said Peggy, taking the decision out of her hands.

Helena did a double take, that almost sounded like a compliment.  ‘Yes, it seems some people believe our research division has some worth.’

Peggy sighed, she had tried but Helena was always so defensive.  ‘You seem to forget Helena that I acquired the research division for the Corporation twenty years ago, I can hardly be accused of undervaluing its potential.’

 No just my potential, thought Helena but bit the comment back, not wanting to ruin the evening.  ‘How was Palm Springs mummy, still the best botox in the West?’ she asked cordially.

Peggy bristled.  ‘Perhaps it’s time you should start thinking about finding out for yourself,’ she sniped.

Helena rolled her eyes but the comment hit a nerve a little, especially now she had a younger girlfriend.  ‘Excuse me a second, as delightful as this conversation is, I have to use the bathroom,’ said Helena and strode off, brushing Alexa’s shoulder affectionately as she passed.