A Catered Birthday Party Read Online Free PDF Page A

relax a little. Things were going to be all right after all.
    Then they served the first course and everything went to hell.
     
    Libby and Bernie had just put the soup on the table. As per Annabel’s instructions, they were serving the beef bouillon in the Limoges soup bowls. The bouillon was decorated with egg custard cutouts in the shape of half-moons and a sprinkling of chopped sorrel.
    Both sisters were silently congratulating themselves on how well everything was going. Everyone, human and canine, was sitting in his or her chair. Everyone, human and canine, seemed to appreciate the soup. The humans were using their spoons, and the pugs, perched on baby booster seats, were using their tongues. Interestingly, Bernie noted that the rate of consumption for both groups seemed to be the same. She and Libby were turning to go back into the kitchen when Annabel stood up and lifted her wineglass.
    “I have two announcements I’d like to make today. Firstly, I’d like to propose a toast to my new product, Trudy’s Treats,” she said. “It’s the first organic, venison and veggie-based, nongrain dog treat on the market.”
    Everyone stopped talking, although the dogs kept lapping.
    Annabel lifted her glass higher. “To my new product. Trudy’s Treats.”
    “Trudy’s Treats,” Annabel’s best friend, Joyce, cried. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.”
    “I wanted this to be a surprise,” said Annabel.
    Libby and Bernie agreed later that judging by everyone’s expression it was.
    “I am hoping that, as befits Trudy, they are truly the best dog biscuit in the world,” Annabel continued.
    Joyce glared at Annabel. Later, both Bernie and Libby agreed that if looks could kill, Annabel would have dropped dead then.
    “You’re kidding, right?” Joyce growled.
    Annabel lowered her glass slightly. “What a thing to say.”
    Joyce’s eyes narrowed. “You’re not kidding.”
    “Obviously,” Annabel retorted.
    “What recipe are you using?” Joyce asked.
    “A good one,” Annabel said.
    “Is it mine?” Joyce demanded.
    “Of course not. I would never do something like that,” Annabel shot back, but Bernie didn’t think that Joyce looked convinced. “First of all,” Annabel went on, “I want to thank all of you for taking time out of your busy, busy schedules”—here she glared at Richard—“to honor me with your presence this afternoon. Secondly, I want to thank everyone here for accompanying me on this leg of the journey. I couldn’t have done it without you. You’ve made me stronger. You’ve made me the person I’ve become.”
    There were some unenthusiastic expressions of “hear, hear” as Libby leaned in to Bernie, covered her mouth with her hand, and whispered, “It doesn’t sound as if she means that in a good way, does it?”
    “Nope. It sure doesn’t,” Bernie whispered back.
    Annabel grimaced although Bernie was sure she meant the grimace to be a smile. “I’ve learned a lot from you. I’ve learned the meaning of backstabbing, for example.”
    Everyone froze. Ramona dropped her spoon, Joanna’s eyes flitted from one person to the next, while Bree stifled a yawn.
    “It’s true,” Annabel continued. “It’s true for every single one of you. You thought I wouldn’t find out about everything. But I have. And I’m making changes. Lots and lots of changes. Yes. Indeed.”
    Annabel turned a shade paler and ran her tongue over her lips. Her eyes glowed with hate. She raised her glass still higher. A drop of wine slipped over the side and slid down her arm. She didn’t appear to notice. “Here’s to treachery in all its many forms. What did Mach…Mach…whatever his name was say? Keep your friends close and your enemies even closer. I’m tired of doing that. It’s a waste of my time.” No one at the table moved, except for Trudy, who’d decided to climb up on the table and investigate the butter dish. Annabel burped. “Oops,” she said and giggled. “What? No one