Sue Marshall arrived at Michael and Cynthia White’s for dinner with a cold bottle of sparkling chardonnay.
Cynthia had made her signature dish: crumbed veal cutlets, roast potatoes, and a tossed green salad, which suited Sue. She’d given up eating what she considered fancy food when she’d retired. She couldn’t see the point of a woman living on her own going to all that trouble and, besides, her income wasn’t what it had been when Kevin had still been alive and wanting to be fed every night.
Michael opened the bottle she’d brought and poured them each a glass of the sparkling wine they all still thought of as champagne, despite the French with their claims of uniqueness.
‘Here’s to better days!’ said Cynthia, raising her glass.
They clinked glasses and took sips of the effervescent liq
