“What about the cat ?”
“Its not named after anyone called Bette is it ?”

“Midler or Davis you mean ?”
“Yes “
“No – but that’s a good guess – that would be just too funny”

“Are Matt and Pete being serious when they call their pets after gay icons ?”
“God no – they do love to camp things up but they do it as a joke and because it drives my mother crazy “

Bette found this funny and started to laugh
“I wouldn’t have said that Emma was camp “
“No – she is the antithesis of camp – she hates camp and while she and Pete do get on – she does get crazy when he starts mincing it up. Which means that he does it all the more “
“Do the four of them get on well ?”
“Yes they do for the most part. There have been arguments – dad is just Mr Easy Going – he’s so placid but at the same time he is the alpha one. He can do with one look or comment what it takes Emma a full scale rant to achieve “
“Which one of them is the strictest ?”
“Emma but I rebel against that and we end up yelling. Dad is the one who when he tells me to do something – I do it “
“Why ?” Bette was fascinated in hearing how Tina balanced the complexities of having four parents.

“Because he means it and he doesn’t often do the heavy handed father thing. When he does it – that’s when I know that he’s not messing about and if I know what is good for me I damn well do as I am told – end of conversation. “

“I must remember that “ Bette said smiling

Tina walked over to her and kissed her softly on the lips

“You have other skills to get me to do just about anything you want”

Bette laughed again “ Right – – are we going to stand here or do I get the guided tour- when are we taking the mutts out ?“

“I spoke to dad – he took them for a long walk this morning so if we take them out once more they will be happy and settle down for the rest of the day. It is hot so maybe we could take them out around 5 – that would be less sweaty for all of us “
“I would hope that you and I are planning to get sweaty “
“We are – a lot – I hope you feel energised “
“I do – its great to talk to your dad about running -he’s really put me on the right lines about a lot of things. He’s neat “
“He likes you – they both do “