I laughed out loud, the laughter becoming one with the incessant din of the restaurant. Bettes deep laugh followed mine in recession, our eyes meeting across the table as we continued to grin. As I watched Bette I was suddenly aware of the introduction of candle light, a waiter was going round each table and lighting a small tea light in a dish which sat unused in the middle of the table. I took this opportunity to glance around at our fellow diners. The majority were couples with a few tables of four and one large party of people in the far corner. It was nice, the atmosphere automatically went down a notch to a more calm and savoured feeling. As if there really was no hurry and it was ok to sit back and relax with out having to keep an eye on time or the out side world.

I sighed, returning my gaze to my dinner guest. It seemed that Bette was contemplating something similar as the look on her face was just as serene and contented.

This is nice isn’t it? she asked, propping up her chin with her elbows on the table.

Yes it is, I have to admit I was slightly dubious about meeting you tonight.

Bettes right eye brow arched with curiosity, I couldn’t help but notice how beautiful her eyes were. They were a darker brown than Millies and didn’t hold the same warmth in them, looking into Bettes eyes it was apparent that she worked hard and was hard on herself as well.

Really? Don’t tell me Millie is jealous?

Well that wasn’t hard to guess.

Bette sat back, shaking her head with a smile. I watched as she expertly refilled my glass and then her own with the heady red wine.

Millie seems to have a vendetta against me. Bette began, her voice holding the same tone as a nursery teacher would have, about to begin a story to the class who sat, eagerly awaiting the gripping tale. A long time ago, when we first met we had a two minute fling, it really was over before it began and we both agreed to be friends afterwards. However, Millie is a very private person, as you may have noticed. She did not inform me or even hint to me that she had a sister and one night I met a young attractive girl who I ended up sleeping with and in the morning Millie walked in on us in bed.

I cringed, trying to imagine what that mustve felt like for Millie and also Bette. I wondered why Millie hadn’t mentioned anything about her family, I guess I had been going on about my own family problems that I had failed to realise that Millie had her own to deal with. I felt the guilt begin to niggle away in my gut, the unease spreading until I had to re-cross my legs and try and concentrate on Bettes voice again.

You see Trix, the relationship between Mill and her sister is full of jealousy and loathing. Ive never seen them talk without arguing and Ive never heard Mill do anything but complain about her.

There must be a reason for this, I mean they are family and I know Millie isn’t a mean person. What’s her sister like, should I be worried? I asked, uncertain as to how I felt about Bette filling me in about my girlfriend instead of my actual girlfriend doing it.

Oh well, my curiosity was getting the better of me and Id heard just about enough to intrigue me further. I couldn’t imagine Millie hating or even disliking anyone and it surprised me that she felt this way about her own sister.

Bette chuckled softly, smiling at my words. I blushed unaware they had been so amusing.

No don’t worry about Max, shes harmless. Shes just taken a harder route in life, when she could be living in luxury like Millies doing.

In luxury? I said, my voice going a bit too high.

Bettes index finger trailed around the rim of her wine glass leisurely, her eyes regarding me with that small smile which I was hesitant to return. I knew we were just having a friendly dinner and both of us were happily dating other people but I couldn’t help but be pulled into the air of flirtation which seemed to swirl around us. Just lingering at the edges of our words and tainting our eyes with attraction. The only problem was, was that I was sitting across from the second most attractive ***** I had ever met, which didn’t say much but I had met Millie and she was pretty damn hot. I had to admit Bette wasn’t too far behind, however I did not appreciate her predatory gaze. I could understand how it would make Tinas legs tremble and her lips shake but it would only make me run for the hills.

Has Millie not mentioned anything to you about her past, or her life in LA or anything? Bette asked, her haze dropping down to my lips for a second.

No, its never come up. I said, feeling a bit defensive about how little I actually did know about her.

Bette shook her head again in disbelief, looking away from me to contemplate her next words. I couldn’t decide whether to tell Millie that I had learned all these things about her from Bette or to just wait until I was told and act as surprised as I could manage.

Trixie, I don’t think its my place to say. You need to ask Millie or wait for her to tell you because she is a private person and with our history she might not appreciate me filling you in.

I nodded in agreement, relieved Bette had decided what we were doing wasn’t one hundred per cent decent. I didn’t want to be the cause of any arguments especially when I was so close to going to LA.

It was at that point when the waiter turned up with our food. A lucky distraction I thought as we both began to dig into the perfectly arranged art on the plate, which I guessed was food, or at least I hoped it was.

So, back to business I think. Bette said, before popping a fork of greenery in her mouth.

I looked up, slightly slow as to what business we could be discussing. My mind was still on Millie, trying to figure out for myself what could be so interesting that Bette was so unwilling to share with me.

There is this show next week which I am hosting at my gallery, yesterday I was informed that one of the artists had unfortunately pulled out.

Isn’t that a bit last minute? I said, imagining a huge gaping space on a wall and printed on a plaque next to the non existent art work, instead of the artists name it just said N/A. I laughed to myself, imagining someone would probably try and buy it as well.

Yes, he committed suicide two days ago. Bette said, not meeting my eyes.

I held my fork next to my mouth, frozen in shock. Well, that was the most water tight excuse for not turning up to something. Im sorry but the art work wont be arriving at the gallery as it appears the artist has died and therefore wont be able to make it on Friday.

That’s a shame. I said, deciding to chose something slightly more tactful than I would usually say in a situation like this.

It was a bad habit Id picked up from Lizzie; the inability to sympathise as one should. Because I knew if it was lizzie sitting across the table from Bette she would’ve chosen something along the lines of; That’s a bit ***** or What a bummer. Which had a sense of comedy about it that I didn’t think Bette would fully appreciate.

Yes it was a bit unexpected, but there’s not exactly anything I can do about it now. I know this is a long shot because you have never shown your work before and its extremely short notice, but I think your work would look perfect in the space.

I was going to laugh but the pleading look in Bettes eyes made me think otherwise. I knew she must be desperate to fill the space with anything, just as long as it was filled in time for the show.

I don’t know Bette, next week? How would I get it done in time and then shipped over to LA, its going to be a bit risky.

This was obviously where Bette had an ingenious plan because she grinned, her eyes lighting up as the adrenaline buzzed around her system in anticipation of telling me.

That’s why Im flying you over to LA when Millie goes back, I was able to get two seats in first class just in case you had anyone you would want to bring along. she said, as simply as if she had just offered me a Mars bar.

I laughed, waiting for the catch, but Bette simply continued to eat. I watched her, my mouth hanging open, the words unable to reach my lips.

Youre serious?

Bette smiled warmly, putting down her knife and fork and reaching for my hand to hold.

Trix, I wouldn’t have said anything if I didn’t think your work was as good as it is. Now I know you can do it, I know underneath it all this is a childhood dream of yours, all you have to do is say yes. That’s how simple it is, follow your dreams Trix you deserve to be happy just as much as the next person.

As I was gathering together the breath to gush a long line of thank yous and repeat the word yes endlessly until this whole situation began to feel a bit more realistic than it currantly was. My gaze ws pulled away from Bette to the figure standing by our table. Bette and I seemed to sense this pressence at the same time and both of our faces fell and we retracted our hands as quickly as we could. Guilty for indulging ouselves with such a riskee form of physical contact.

Please dont let me interrupt. Millie said, her words filed with venom and her eyes glistening with tears.

I stood up but with one glance at me, which just about tipped her over the edge into tears, she walked out of the restaurant.

I looked back to Bette, needing some words of advice or something to be said to make me move from the spot I seemed to be stuck to.

You better go after her, shell be over reacting right about now. Bette said, taking another sip of wine.