Oh my God, you were so adorable, exclaimed Tina as she examined Helenas school picture album. Whats with the purple coat?

That was our school colour, explained Helena, the Glen Dower School for Girls, where all the poor little rich London girls went to school. We were extraordinarily jealous of the Hampshire School girls down the road, they had these beautiful forest green coats, while we wore the screaming purple.

Look, you even had purple socks! Well, I guess the color was a bit prophetic, dont you think? asked Tina.

Yes, Im sure that was the motive behind picking the purple uniforms, joked Helena, to turn all of us into raving dykes!

I just love the straw hats too! continued Tina.

Those are called boater hats and yes, we had to wear them every summer.

God, in America you would have been teased mercilessly if you ever wore one of those things in public, claimed Tina.

Then I will say a silent prayer that Mum brought me up in South Kensington rather than North Carolina! said Helena.

I dont think I would have been friends with you if you lived in my hometown, confessed Tina with a pensive look on her face. You are too intimidating, and I was actually a very shy girl.

Oh, I think we would have been friends Christina, replied Helena, I always had the most beautiful girls in school as my best friends.

Tina blushed and put down her watered-down glass of chardonnay. She looked at Helena seriously, contemplatively, and then leaned in and kissed her on the lips. It was a light kiss, just lips touching lips, but it was a huge step for Tina. Helena moved closer and brought the kiss to another level.

You really are quite beautiful Christina, she whispered in Tinas hair while resting her chin on Tinas shoulder a few moments later.

Is there any more wine? Tina asked while standing up and moving into the galley area of Helenas apartment. Helena was living in the penthouse apartment at the luxurious Buckminster Hotel in Los Angeles while working with her mother to secure the recent Peabody acquisition of the California Arts Center. She chose the Buckminster for its classic style and European touches, something she found sadly lacking in most American hotels, particularly those in LA. She didnt know if she would be in California for weeks or months, so did not want to make any long-term commitments, either in her accommodations or her relationships.