Chapter Ten Part One:

If it wasn’t for the fact that Bette heard him come in, she might have gotten a fright when she walked through to the living area and found her father sat at the table, reading a newspaper.

“What are you doing here?” Bette asked – a little rudely – whilst pulling the cords of her dressing gown tighter. “Not that I am against you being here, I just thought we were meeting up at the restaurant later.”

Melvin didn’t even look up from his newspaper, but he answered in his usual gruff voice: “I was going to go see your sister first, but of course, she is out dallying with that boy.”

Bette rolled her eyes heavily. “Daddy, that boy is Angus. They’re very happily in love, why can’t you just be happy for her? He is a great guy.” She wandered into the kitchen to grab a mug of coffee, once she returned; her father had folded up the newspaper and put it to one side.

“I don’t see why you defend her so much.” Melvin argued, “Look at the way you’re living your life, compared to hers. Can you see why I am disappointed in her now?”

This was the same every time he visited.

“Daddy, she is a successful woman. She has produced an album of brilliant work, she has her own business and now, daddy, she is happily in love with a nice guy.” Bette took a sip of her coffee before continuing, “She has her life under control. I don’t see why you’re so hard on her.”

“How do you live your life then? Since I seem to have everything wrong with your sister’s…” He muttered with a tint of sarcasm shadowing his voice.

Bette opened her mouth to answer but she was cut short when the phone began to ring. She knew it would be James so she quickly excused herself to go answer. Melvin watched her exit the room before picking up his newspaper and continuing his morning read.

Whilst this had been happening, Tina was just waking up from a restless sleep. She’d been sexually frustrated most of the night, along with being extremely angry with Bette for not finishing what they’d started.