The champagne and two glasses of vodka arrived while they were waiting for their food.
“So how are you doing ?” Tina asked as Emma poured the champagne
“Still hurt and feeling fragile “ Emma admitted “I am going to go away for a few weeks. I booked a cruise on Monday”
“Where to ?”
“Around the Mediterranean – I fly to London next weekend so I will be away for Thanksgiving – will you be okay with your dad and Bette’s family ?”
“Yes – we have been talking about what we were going to do “
“Well you don’t have to worry about me being around”
“Mom”
“Sorry – I am still having a bit of a pity party “
Tina smiled
“What ?”
“I said that to Bette last week – that I was having a pity party – odd how you pick phrases up and you don’t realise where from”
“One of mine “ Emma admitted “I tend to throw it at other people but since she left I have been having one hell of a pity party of my own “
“Have you heard from her ?”
“No “ Emma removed three keys  from her bag “I had the keys to the apartment changed – just in case she wants anything. Here are your keys – if she wants something I would be grateful if she didn’t come into the apartment while I was away. There are papers in the apartment I don’t want her getting access to “
Tina took the keys and nodded “ Do you think she will ?”
“I don’t know any more Tina – you think you really know someone but they can still surprise you. I don’t think she wants anything from the apartment but as it feels like its my only sanctuary at the moment – I don’t want anyone but you in there”
“Okay “ Tina said “ I will keep an eye on the place “
Emma handed a glass of champagne to Tina
“Thanks  – what do you want to drink to ?”
Emma smiled  “ Me fulfilling a dream of taking my daughter out for an expensive, over the top and booze filled lunch”
They clinked glasses and took a sip of the champagne – it tasted amazing to Tina whose tastes were for fairly cheap alcohol.
“How is your job search going ?” Emma asked
“Well dad has made me an offer – could I tell you and see what you think ?”
“Of course “
“His restaurant is on the 1st floor of the building – and if it expands it would move upwards not downwards. There is the remains of cheap café on the ground floor. Dad wants me to turn it into a coffee shop – I would be my own boss but he would be my backer if you like”
Tina wasn’t sure how Emma would take this as an idea for her daughter – after all she had made such a fuss when Tina had taken a casual job that she thought was “ beneath her”
“You would run it or just work in it ?”
“Both – run it and work shifts to keep the costs down while we got started”
“There is a lot to running any sort of food place – regulations and rules and red tape “
“I know – I have been looking it all up – there are some 12 week courses that I could take”
Emma regarded her daughter – she knew that she had to mend fences with her and she hoped that this lunch would be the start of a more normal mother/daughter relationship.
“I love the idea of you setting something up from scratch “ she said smiling
“You do ?”
“Yes – I am biased but I think you are a very capable and brilliant young woman -this could be a great start for you”