Tina followed Bette up to her apartment. She immediately went into the bedroom to try and ring her mother again. Bette removed her jacket and put her bag down and took her own phone out – she dialled her mother’s number
“Hello darling – how are you ?”
“I am okay – look I don’t have long -basically Emma has been round to see Tina to tell her that Kate has walked out on her”
There was silence on the other end of the line
“Mother “
“I am here “
“I know you are close to Kate – what the hell is going on ?”
“Has Kate been to see Tina ?”
“No – she has rung her but she hasn’t got back to her  – mother – what the hell is going on?”
“This has nothing to do with Tina and you – I can tell you that “
“I didn’t think it did – couples that have been together as long as Emma and Kate don’t split up over their daughter’s choice of partner – regardless of how unsuitable Emma considers me. I get the impression that you know what is going on “
“I do “
“So what is going on ?”
“I cannot tell you Bette – its for Kate to tell Tina herself. I didn’t know she had walked out on Emma. “
“What can you tell me – is someone else involved ?”
“Yes”
“On which side ?”
“Bette – I know this is hard for you because you love Tina but I swore to my friend that I would not tell you anything. This is between Tina and her parents”
Bette knew that no amount of further questioning would cause Rosemary to tell Bette what she knew
“Its okay – I am sorry for pressing you -this has just come as a shock to her”
“ You must take care of her Bette – she needs you now like she has never needed you before – you know that don’t you ?”
“Yes “
Bette saw Tina come into the room “I have to go – if you hear from Kate please ask her to ring Tina urgently “
“I will – take care darling – take good care of your girl”
“I have every intention of doing that” Bette hung up and looked at the blonde
“Any luck ?”
“No – was that your mom ?”
“It was – she didn’t sound exactly shocked when I told her “
“Seems that everyone knew but me “ Tina said bitterly “ What did she tell you ?”
“That it was between you and your parents and that you needed to speak to Kate”
Bette deliberately didn’t tell Tina that there was someone else in the picture for one of them. It would upset her a lot and until she spoke to Kate she would only make things up and get more upset.
“That is beginning to sound like the party line “ Tina said “ Fuck – why the hell won’t she answer her phone  – what the fuck is going on ?”
“I wish I knew Tina”
Tina threw herself onto the sofa – Bette walked into the kitchen to make some coffee. She saw the new coffee machine so she removed it from its box and quickly read the instructions. In only a few minutes the smell of proper coffee filled the apartment. Bette went back to join Tina while it brewed
“Top coffee maker “ she said
“Yeah – I take it you have got it working ?”
“I hope you don’t mind”
“Of course not – saves me having a tantrum when it won’t work”
Bette walked across and sat down beside her lover and took her hand
“There will be a good reason why she has left”