“Chilli chicken, I could die for some chilli chicken.”

“Then chilli chicken you shall have. How about some ginger duck, steamed greens and oyster sauce, noodles with shallots and…”

“I think that’s plenty babe”

“Sorry, ok, give me a second, I’ll order. There’s a bottle of red and a spare glass out by the pool, help yourself.”

Bette called to order the food while Alice wandered outside to pour herself a drink and settle into a pool chair. She was joined by the brunette within a few moments. Alice smiled as she saw her approach, but her smile faded as she saw the look of concentration on Bette’s face as she picked up her ½ drunken glass of wine. Alice wondered how many glasses Bette had drunk before she got there. The blonde was deciding whether to be brave or not, biting her lip she decided the anxiety of waiting was not worth it.

“You… uh… you said we needed to talk?”

Bette had not expected Alice to bring it up. Alice, who usually loved confrontation, preferred to run from it within their relationship. Happy to keep Bette happy to keep Bette. Bette smiled weakly.

“Yeah, I think we do Al… I… don’t know how to do this… you are one of my best friends; we have so much fun together. You made moving here so easy for me, and for Kit. I… that night, when we went to Milk… I had a great time, and this last month, it’s been fun, but I just… Alice I don’t think we’re right for each other.” The last part of Bette’s sentence flew out of her mouth at lightning speed. She looked at the rim of her wineglass, holding her breath, waiting for Alice to respond.

Even though Alice new this was coming, she felt tears well up in her eyes as she heard Bette’s words. She blinked rapidly in an effort to still them, letting it sink in.

“Ok”

“Ok?”

Alice looked up at Bette’s question.

“What did you expect? For me to fight for you?”

“No, that’s not what I…”

“I may be a doormat, Bette, but I have never begged for your attention, and I never will. I don’t like staying where I am not wanted” Alice could feel anger rising, she knew she was angry at herself but it was easier to take it out on Bette.

“I’m sorry Alice, that’s really not what I meant. And you’re not a doormat, I’m sorry if I have ever made you feel that way… you never need to beg for my attention, you will always have it Al, I mean it, you are one of my best friends and I don’t want to lose you over this… please?” Bette realised she was begging. She hoped Alice realised it too. Alice did. And she softened when she recognised the irony.

“You won’t. We’ll be fine” she sighed, allowing the first of the tears to fall.

“But right now? Right now I can’t be near you Bette. I have to go.” Alice stood up and headed inside to get her bag and leave. Bette followed, wanting to envelop the blonde in a hug and heal the hurts she had caused but knowing that would probably only hurt more. She reached out and lightly touched Alice’s elbow.

“Alice – I’m sorry. I really am. I never meant to hurt you. I hate that I have”

Alice stepped away from the contact and nodded at Bette without looking at her, then opened the door and walked out. Bette watched her drive away and waited until the Mini was out of sight before she let her own tears fall. She cried silently for a few minutes, then wiped her tears and picked up the phone.

“Hi Dana, it’s Bette… I uh, Alice is, Alice and I broke up, and I think she might need a friend right now… I was hoping you could go over and see if she’s ok? Yeah I’m ok. No she just left my place so give her a little while. Yeah. Thanks Dana.”

Bette hung up and returned to her place by the pool, topped up her glass of wine and tried to stop hating herself.