CHAPTER SIX

Tina tapped away solidly at her Apple titanium iBook. Her fingers flew over the keys in a swift and rapid motion. Her face was illuminated by the computer screen, highlighting her sun kissed hazelnut glow. Tina had come home from work declining the four or so offers for drinks and dinner and nightcaps and so on. Italians drink more than the Irish I swear! she thought to herself.
She spent a good half an hour cutting up fresh fruit and then proceeded to make herself a orange, apple, pineapple and ginger juice using the blender that cost more Euros than she liked to admit. Time for a detox she hummed eating a strawberry. She took her fruit platter and juice out onto her balcony and sat and watch the sun set over Naples. As much as she didnt want her mind to wander towards Bette Porter she couldnt help it.
Finally rather than sit there and let her mind reck havoc she booted up her computer and began answering the various emails that had plagued her inbox for months. Tina began feeling much better and was powering through a her 6th reply when her messenger service alerted her that a B_Porter had just logged on. Tina slumped back into her chair stunned. Of all the luck. She hadnt used her old messenger in months, she had actually only logged on hoping Cooper would be up studying.
A minute passed before Tina did anything. She hesitated for a moment and then clicked on the Send Message tab.
C_Kennard: Of all the gin joints in all the world.
Tina wrote with a smile. She wondered if Bette would write back, trying to remember what time it was in L.A., whether or not Bette would be at work. But within 15 seconds there was a reply.
B_Porter: I thought you didnt use this service anymore?!
C_Kennard: I dont. Coop sat her one of her mid-years a few days ago and I thought she might be up studying.
B_Porter: And how did the honour student go?
Tina smiled and settled into her chair a little more comfortably.
C_Kennard: She is yet to make an online appearance. But she doesnt know how to do poorly.
B_Porter: Runs in the family.
Tina sipped her juice as Bette followed up quickly.
B_Porter: Hows your day been?
C_Kennard: Same old same old. Shanes been telling me all about a young thing named Carmen. Sounds like shes got a crush.
B_Porter: So Ive heard. Whod have thought?
C_Kennard: Have you met her?
There was a delay between Bette writing back.
B_Porter: I havent seen Shane in a while.
Tina instantly felt a little guilty. She knew that she had played a hand in Shanes barring of all things Bette Porter. A big hand.
C_Kennard: Whatever makes her happy.
B_Porter: Well said.
A beat passed between them and Tina slumped back in her chair.
B_Porter: You still there?
C_Kennard: Im still here. Im not going anywhere.
It was a loaded answer and Tina knew that Bette would read it from a mile away.
B_Porter: Glad to hear it.
B_Porter: You sounded tired the other day. Are you sleeping enough?
Tina smiled at Bettes concern.
C_Kennard: Not according to my Mum.
B_Porter: And how is the Southern Dame, Viviane Kennard?
Tina smiled,
C_Kennard: Oh you know; Why arent you married? Why arent I a grandmother? Why are you in Italy? Why is Jess dating a Russian? Why is Cooper un-reachable?
B_Porter: Youre making me laugh!
B_Porter: Why does she think youre not sleeping enough?
C_Kennard: Well according to Vivi I have never ate, slept or studied enough. You know what shes like.
B_Porter: Did you have a nice dinner?
Tina tilted her head to one side, thrown by the question.
C_Kennard: Fruit. Im trying to detox.
B_Porter: I meant the other night, the one you had to rest for.
C_Kennard: Oh. Yeah, it was with some people from the University. Emilio, Ryan, a few others. It was good. Italians sure know how to wine and dine.
B_Porter: Ill bet.
Tina yawned and began to feel tired. She looked at the time on her computer screen: 11:23pm.
C_Kennard: Well I should let you go. Youre probably in the middle of a very important briefing for the board.
B_Porter: Im not at work.
Tina smiled.
C_Kennard: Bette Porter, playing hooky! Well I never.
Another minute passed and then on the screen:
B_Porter: Playing hooky indefinitely actually.
Tina didnt write back. She slumped back in her chair and began chewing on her thumbnail.
B_Porter: I quit.
Tinas eyes grew wide. Finally she reached for the keyboard.
C_Kennard: Im shocked.
B_Porter: I thought you would be.
B_Porter: I was hoping to tell you face to face.
C_Kennard: Why?
C_Kennard: I mean, why did you quit?
B_Porter: Too many reasons to get into now.
Tina respected Bettes wishes and didnt push. Eventually Bette wrote back.
B_Porter: So is there anything you want from Heathrow?
Tinas mouth fell open. She was in London. She was on her way to Italy. Bette was coming to see her.
B_Porter: I can get you a Harrods bear.
B_Porter: Tina, are you there?
C_Kennard: Im here, sorry, Im here.
B_Porter: So is that a no?
Tina continued chewing her thumb nail and slowly typed out.
C_Kennard: MAC number 8 eyeliner.
C_Kennard: Ive run out.
B_Porter: Ill get you two.
C_Kennard: Thanks.
Tina paused again and then typed,
C_Kennard: Bette are you okay?
B_Porter: Ill be better once I see you.
Tina inhaled deeply, feeling a knot tie in her stomach.
C_Kennard: I hope so.
B_Porter: Its okay T, dont be scared. I just want to see you.
C_Kennard: Its been an age.
C_Kennard: When do you fly in?
B_Porter: 6:30am. Ill stay at a hotel.
Tina chewed over inviting Bette to stay with her. She had a spare bedroom, two in fact. Ryan had helped her get her three story terrace house at a steal.
C_Kennard: You dont have to.
Tina typed slowly.
C_Kennard: I have a spare room.
More quickly she added.
C_Kennard: Its up to you.
B_Porter: That would be nice. Maybe, well just see; I dont want to make you uncomfortable.
C_Kennard: I guess well just see.
B_Porter: Well I better go find some MAC eyeliner before my flight boards.
C_Kennard: Okay.
B_Porter: Will you be there when I fly in?
C_Kennard: If you get here around 7, Ill be stirring.
B_Porter: Okay. MAC number 8.
C_Kennard: Number 8. Ciao.
With that Tina shut her laptop. And she sat curled up in her chair in the darkness for nearly an hour.