On New Years Eve, the neighbour popped in: Could I come round for half an hour?
Havent been paid.
The house is empty, theres not even anything for the children to have with their tea.
Im there alone with the boysthey just want a bit of the festive spirit
Melanie stood next to the cooker, admiring the roast duck with oranges shed just pulled out of the oven.
The aroma was so rich she wanted to shut her eyes and breathe it in.
All morning shed fussed over the birdbasting it, keeping an eye on the temperature, not stepping away for a moment.
The results were perfect.
Ollie, come have a look! she called to her husband.
Ollie wandered in from the living room, whistled, and nodded approvingly.
Mel, thats Michelin quality!
She smiled contentedly.
Ill plate it up, add a bit of garnishmake it look the part.
Carefully, she set the duck on a big ceramic dish, arranged orange slices around it, and tucked sprigs of rosemary here and there.
It looked as though it belonged on the cover of a food magazine.
The dining table was already groaning: three saladsclassic British potato salad, Coronation chicken, and a Greek; sandwiches topped with expensive red caviar; platters of fine cheeses and cured meats; a bowl of fruitgrapes and kiwis for colour.
There was another tray stacked with homemade meatballs and roast potatoes.
Were not opening a hotel banqueting suite, are we? Ollie chuckled.
No, Melanie replied calmly.
Just want to make New Years properly special this time.
Weve worked hard all year; lets treat ourselves.
Ollie wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
Long overdue, actually.
Feels good to celebrate again.
It was truethese past few years, theyd scrimped every penny, saving for home renovations.
Now that was done, their incomes were steady, and now there was room for a proper celebration.
Melanie laid out the silverware, fetched crystal glasses that usually just collected dust in the cabinet.
Everything had to be beautifula real festive spread.
By ten oclock, the table was fully ready.
Both changed clothes, sat opposite each other.
Ollie poured some drinks.
So, heres to us.
To us.
They raised their glasses.
Melanie tried the potato saladit was excellent.
Ollie filled his plate with duck, rolling his eyes in pleasure.
This is divine.
Youre a miracle worker, Mel.
She felt a genuine glow.
The meal, the evenings calm, the sense of achievement and space to relaxit all felt like true happiness.
Precisely at eleven, the doorbell rang.
They exchanged puzzled glances.
Who would show up so late?
Ollie went to answer, and found their neighbour, Sarah, standing on the doorstep with her two sons.
She looked flustered, eyes red.
Ollie, sorry for barging in she began.
Could we stop by for a little while?
Im in a bit of a spot.
Whats happened? he asked worriedly.
Its everything at once Sarah sniffled.
Pay didnt come through.
Without a proper contract, Ive been let down ahead of the holidays.
Theres nothing at home, not even biscuits for the kids tea.
Friends said they’d check in but haven’t turned up.
The boys just want a bit of celebration
Her sons hovered behind, thin, wearing faded jumpers, silent.
Ollie felt awkward.
Sending a neighbour with kids away on New Years Eve wouldnt be right.
Come in, he said.
Ill let Mel know.
When Melanie entered and saw them, she knew instantlytheir quiet night was over.
Hi Sarah boys.
Sorry, Melanie, weve barged in, Sarah nervously wiped her eyes.
Honestly, weve nowhere else to go.
Just twenty minutes, if thats alright?
Melanie glanced at the children.
They said nothing, but their wide eyes followed the scents drifting in from the kitchen.
Come to the table, Melanie sighed heavily.
The guests filed inand chaos erupted.
Mum, look at this! the elder boy exclaimed.
So much food!
Can I have the caviar? piped up the younger one.
Sit down, Melanie said flatly.
They shuffled into seats, and the elder boy immediately grabbed a duck leg with his hands.
Is this alright, Aunt Mel?
Without waiting, he bit in.
The younger was already devouring sandwiches with caviar.
So good! he beamed.
Can I have more, Mum?
Sarah didnt stop them; she piled their plates herself.
Eat boys, eat up!
At home its just pastawe need a proper meal.
They ate quickly and greedily.
The elder demolished half the potato salad, the younger finished all the caviar.
Soon, the cheeses, meats, and ham vanished.
Within minutes, the platters were cleared.
Melanie watched as though in a bad dream.
Ollie tried to smooth things over, You two have got quite the appetites, eh?
No one listened.
They were already tearing into the duck, big slices disappearing one after another.
Is there any bread? the elder asked.
Melanie brought some silently.
The boys immediately made more sandwiches.
Sarah helped herselfsalads, duck, meatballs.
Im sorry to be like this, she said, mouth full.
But you know what its likehungry kids.
Within twenty minutes, the feast had all but disappeared.
Salads, duck, caviar, cheese, meats, fruiteverything devoured by the unexpected guests.
Melanie sat, frozen, her face blank.
Shed spent two days preparing, spending no small sum of money and effort, imagining a peaceful evening with her husband.
In the end, she got nothing as she’d hoped.
At quarter to midnight Sarah stood up.
Alright, best be off.
Thank you so muchyou really pulled us out of a hole!
The boys got ready to leave.
The younger snatched a pastry and asked, Can I take this?
Go ahead, Melanie replied tiredly, not even looking at him.
The guests left, offering rushed New Year wishes.
The door closed.
Melanie and Ollie stood quietly, staring at what, half an hour ago, had been a festive feast.
The plates were coated in crumbs, salad bowls empty, fruit gone to the last grape.
Only a few tangerines survived in the fruit bowl.
Did you see that? Melanie whispered.
I saw, Ollie replied just as quietly.
They ate everything.
Everything I cooked over two days.
In thirty minutes.
Mel
They didnt even thank us properly.
Not one.
Just grabbed, gobbled, and wanted more.
Ollie hugged her.
Melanie didnt cryshe just stared at the empty plates, trying to process what had just happened.
When the midnight chimes sounded, they still clinked glasses.
The celebration was ruined, as was the mood.
The next day, Melanie tidied the kitchen: washed dishes, put away the little that remainedreally just scraps.
You know, Ollie, she said, I do understand people have hard times.
I get she didnt get paid.
But why didnt she hold the boys back?
Why not say, Thats enough, boys, this isnt ours?
Im not sure, Ollie shrugged.
Maybe they really were that hungry.
Hunger is one thing, Melanie replied calmly.
Greed is another.
They didnt eatthey snatched, as if theyd never see food again.
Ollie stayed quiet, and she went on:
And Sarah sitting there, sighing, playing the helpless card while pushing plates toward the boys: Eat up, children. Did she think about us?
What wed have left?
That evening, Melanie met Sarah in the stairwell.
Sarah smiled brightly.
Hi, Mel!
Happy New Year again!
Thanks for last nights hospitality!
Melanie looked at her satisfied faceand something inside her finally snapped.
Hello, she replied dryly, and walked past.
Sarah watched her in surprise.
Melanie carried the rubbish out, came back inside.
Ran into Sarah? asked Ollie.
Yep.
How was it?
I wont talk to her again.
Let her find some other benefactors.
A week passed.
Melanie bumped into Sarah in the lift or hallway several times.
Each time, she looked away and pretended not to notice.
Sarah tried to start conversationin response, just silence.
Melanie, arent you done sulking? Ollie said at one point.
Im not sulking, she replied, calm.
Ive just realisedpitys a terrible advisor.
We let them in, and ended up with an empty table and a ruined celebration.
But their situation really was precarious
Ollie, Melanie looked her husband in the eye, Hard times dont justify losing your conscience.
You could ask for tea, a bit of food.
They cleared everything out.
Not one genuine apology.
He sighedarguing was pointless.
A month later, the relationship with the neighbour never recovered.
Melanie greeted her briefly, often ignored her completely.
Sarah complained to others that Melanie had gotten stuck up, but Melanie didnt care.
Shell always remember that New Year.
The empty table, the happy faces of uninvited guests, and her own sense of emptiness.
From then on, she decided firmly: never again let in anyone who confuses hospitality with the chance to take advantage.
