When her head started to hurt she stopped. The only indication that Shane had given that she was not as angry as she had been the last time she saw her was that she had not left and she had not tried to hit her. Either action Bette would have understood. Part of her wanted Shane to shout at her, to take her by her shoulders and shake her and ask her what it was she was doing, maybe that would make things clearer.

Bette decided that perhaps another angle would produce more conversation. She adopted a cheerier tone as she sat back against the wall, ‘Where have you been? I saw Kit last week and she said no one had seen you for a while. We were starting to worry.’ Out of the corner of her eye Bette could see a cynical smile find its way to Shane’s lips, ‘We?’

‘Kit and I.‘ Bette clarified.

‘I’m back now.’ Shane’s gaze was focussed on the front of Bette’s car, but looking at her now Bette could see that her mind was somewhere else. ‘I just had some things to take care of.’ Cryptic as always, Bette knew that was all she would get from Shane regarding her absence. Hoping to keep things light and to keep Shane talking even if it was in mono-syllabic sentences Bette added, ‘I’m sure the ladies missed you.’ Shane turned sharply towards Bette, wearing a scowl rather than a smile Bette quickly added, ‘Don’t tell me that you’re coming home from your early morning walk. Things haven’t changed that much-’

‘I was with Tina.’

‘Oh,’ so much for keeping it light.

‘She doesn’t sleep so easily through the nights anymore.’ Bette felt two inches tall. Of course Shane was with Tina, everyone was with Tina. In any situation they had always rallied towards the person they felt needed the most support, in this case their choice was clearly Tina. Bette had hoped though that Shane would be the one she too could lean on for support.

She knew that Kit would always be there for her although she had at first been very vocal regarding her disapproval. She had not spoken much to Marina after their altercation regarding Tim and Jenny, how she must love the situation Bette now found herself in. Dana was busy planning her wedding with Tonya and had always remained neutral in most situations. And Alice, her best friend, was doing what Bette had always hoped she would do in an emergency – help Tina. Her surly morning companion was the only person she had left to talk to.