Where are you Tee? Bette had been, to no avail, driving around all day trying to think. I need to talk to her. She needs to know how much I love her. Why was I such an idiot?

***** Bette, you really screwed up this time. How could I have let this happened?

I cant take this anymore; she had to have called someone. I need to know shes safe. That someones looking after her. Why did I just let her leave?

She pulled over and wiped her eyes. Shed been driving for hours and the lack of sleep was finally catching up with her.

Cmon! I got to stay awake. I need to find Tina.

She signaled her way back onto the street and headed back in the direction she was coming from. She glanced at the time on her dashboard. 19:49.

Alice should be home by now.

***

Hey Tina, are you sure youre going to be okay? I mean, I dont have to go. I can just stay and go tomorrow morning yknow.

Yeah Al I know, but youve got to sort stuff out with Dana. So go. Ill be fine.

Alice didnt want to leave but Tina had convinced her otherwise. After Bette had left the message Tina and Alice spent the rest of the afternoon talking. By the end of the six hours they spent talking Tina and Alice both felt like they had lifted a huge weight of their shoulders. The hurt was still tremendous for Tina but she had no choice but to go on.

Seriously Alice, Ill be just fine.

I dunno. I just feel I dont think honestly Tina, I dont want to.

You dont want to?

Tina looked at Alice and smiled. Youre nervous.

Alice shot Tina an as if look. Yeah right. Sure thing. Who you kidding? Me. Nervous. Hah! Nervous to go talk to Dana. Thatll be the day.

She glanced down at her feet and sighed before raising her head slowly to catch Tinas eyes.

She let out a giggle like a teenager with a crush. Hmm okay I guess today is that day.

Tina just looked at Alice and smiled. Youll be fine. Now go. Im gonna draw myself a bath and relax for a while. Our little talk was quite draining.

It was wasnt it?

Alice glanced at her watch. 19:58. Well I guess Ill go then. Call me for absolutely anything okay. Even if its just to call and hang up on me. Call.

Silence.

Okay?

Yeah Al, okay. Now go before I kick you out of your own apartment.

Alice walked over to the door, turned around and smiled. Youre an amazing woman Tina. Things will work out. They have to. I love you.

Love you too Alice.

With that Alice closed the door and walked out. I better call Bette. That girl has got a ***** load of explaining to do. But thatll have to wait. I have to talk to Dana first, Ill ring Bette after, we can talk about this and Ill just have to help her get Tina back. There was no other alternative.

Alice was walking out of the building and towards her car when she noticed Bettes Saab parked by the curb.

Bette?

Alice briskly made her way to the Saab but no one was inside.

Jesus Bette. Where are you?

She turned around to go back inside and see if everything was okay. She didnt know if Tina was ready for this just yet but she stopped short when she noticed someone on the paving near Tinas car. She could hardly recognise the figure seated beside the car.

Dear God. Please dont let that be Bette Porter.