Collette Bonnar's Short Stories: New Year’s Eve at Westmount Hall

“That was Amelia Howard-Davidson on the phone just now,” Lucy Davenport beamed at her husband, Arthur. “She said herself and Oscar shall be delighted to attend our soiree on New Year’s Eve.”

“Jolly good,” replied Arthur as he folded his copy of the Financial Times and rose to pour another coffee from the percolator on the sideboard. “Top up, darling?” he enquired.

“Yes, please,” smiled Lucy, proffering the heirloom china cup, she remarked; “We really are back in the fold now when the Howard-Davidsons have accepted our invitation for New Year’s Eve. Oh yes, the great and the good of Castlegar will be here to see how we have bounced back. It will be the perfect opportunity to let them all have an eye-opener when they see the palatial pile we’re living in now.”

“Bounced back, indeed, dear,” said Arthur. “And with a vengeance,” he added, knowing it was what his wife wanted to hear. “By the way will Phillipa Cosgrove and that chinless wonder of a husband be gracing us with their presence?”

“That’s the best bit. Of course, they’re coming. Phillipa thinks I’ve forgiven her for the nasty trick she played on me two years ago…”

“Yes, that was a pretty nasty one, alright,” agreed her husband as he picked up his newspaper and left his wife to ruminate on the recent past.A few years previously, the Howard-Davidsons were having a lavish bash to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. All the elite around Castlegar were invited including the Davenports. Arthur and Lucy had lost most of their wealth during the economic crash but still tried to maintain their place in the social circle that they associated with. To keep up appearances, Lucy had gone shopping in the Second Encounter swap shop to look for a designer dress for the Howard-Davidsons’ party.  Phillipa Cosgrove happened to work in the swap shop. Philippa had an axe to grind with Lucy and she’d sold her a designer dress that Amelia Howard-Davison had left in for sale. Lucy was fuming when she’d turned up at the party wearing the hostess’ dress. Now that their fortunes had turned around, Lucy was determined to show Phillipa that while her underhand trick embarrassed her at the time she was far from shying away from the social scene.Breaking out of her reverie, Lucy remarked to her husband; “I must contact the caterers and go through the gourmet tasting menu again. I know they cost the earth but Crosby Catering Company do such a wonderful job. They even source the finest champagne and wine…”

“But darling,” Arthur interrupted his wife, mid-flow. “We don’t need to order wine. Have you forgotten about the stash in our cellar?”

“Darling, you are just wonderful. How could I possibly forget. Wine from our own vineyard in Burgundy. Oooh, I can’t wait to see Phillipa Cosgrove’s face when I tell them about our place in France and the rolling vineyards. Not to talk about the lucrative wine business.”

“Yes, I’m sure they will wonder how we managed to buy this place for a cool 5 million and a place in France as well. I agree with you, dearest Lucy, we’ll just pretend we never went down on our luck after that ghastly recession. We were just prudent with our money and now we’ve decided to spend it.”The evening of the glittering bash wore around and Westmount Hall was looking resplendent for the grand occasion. Lucy was in her element as she swanned around in a designer dress, make-up and hair perfect, waiting on the first of their guests to arrive. First to arrive at the stately mansion were the Howard-Davidsons, followed shortly after by Phillipa and Phelim Cosgrave. Their eyes were out on stalks as they took in the opulence of the vast, luxurious house. “Welcome, my darlings,” Lucy gushed as she air-kissed the guests.

“Welcome to our humble abode,” Arthur grinned smugly as he shook their hands. Shortly after, the rest of the guests arrived and soon the main hall was thronged with revellers looking forward to an evening of hospitality from the Davenports where no expense was being spared.

Lucy’s eyes narrowed as she spied Phillipa Cosgrove guzzling back the champagne. Phillipa was known to have a loose tongue after too many glasses of bubbly and Lucy began to feel nervous. She whispered to her husband; “I see Phillipa is fairly knocking back the bubbles. I don’t trust her.”

“Don’t worry, darling, our secret is safe. No one here could possibly know…” With that, one of the waiters for the evening announced that dinner was being served.

On entering the large dining room, the guests audibly gasped in awe at the grandeur of it all. A large oval ebony dining table set for the thirty guests was gleaming with silver cutlery, china dinner service, discreet fresh floral arrangements, and candles burning in silver candelabras. The stage was set for the Davenports to impress the elite of Castlegar!   Lucy had decided on a ten-course tasting menu for dinner and as each plate was taken away by the team of waiting staff, the guests gushed and complimented Lucy on her choice of gourmet food and fine wine from their French vineyard.

After the cheeseboard and reserve port was served, Oscar Howard-Davidson cleared his throat and began; “I propose a toast to our wonderful hosts. This evening has been an eye-opener and has certainly set the bar very high for future soirees.” He smiled at the hosts and added. “You certainly are enjoying the fruits of many years of hard work and business acumen. Not many of us can boast of fine wine grown in our own vineyard…”

With that, Phillipa Cosgrove rose to her feet and raised her glass. Lucy could feel the beads of sweat gather on her forehead. Phillipa caught her eye and smirked; “I’d like to propose a toast of congratulations. On winning the massive Euro millions jackpot.”

“What!” Their friends gasped collectively.

“But how come?” Oscar Howard-Davidson asked. “We all know that Lucy and Arthur were in Barbados for a month when the winning ticket was sold.”

“They were holidaying in Ballybunion,” said Phillipa. “I had a friend holidaying there at the same time and she was in the shop when Lucy and Arthur were having their little flutter. Too much of a coincidence that they suddenly have all these millions after their trip to Ballybunion.”

“It’s none of your business,” Lucy spat, beyond rage while her husband looked helplessly at his guests, knowing there was no point in denying it. Their secret was out. In an attempt to save face, Arthur declared; “I’ll crack open the vintage champagne to celebrate. Actually, we did plan on telling you all this evening.” This was met with cheers of congratulations and a round of applause from the rest of the guests.

“I think our taxi is outside,” Phillipa said to her husband, fuming that her attempt to embarrass the Davenports had instead led to goodwill among their friends as they prepared to ring in the New Year at Westmount Hall.