On New Years Eve, the neighbour from next door dropped by unexpectedly.
May I sit with you for half an hour? she asked, looking apologetic.
My wages still havent come through.
The cupboards are bare, Ive nothing to give the children even for tea.
Its just me and the boys tonight they want to celebrate, you know
Lucy stood by the cooker, admiring a duck with oranges shed just pulled out.
The aroma was so tempting, she almost wished she could stand there just breathing in.
Since early morning, shed been fussing over this bird: basting it with juice, checking the oven, never leaving its side.
The result was perfection.
Jack, come and have a look! she called to her husband.
He emerged from the living room and gave a low whistle, nodding in approval.
Lucy, thats restaurant quality!
She beamed, I wanted it to be special.
Let me plate it and garnish it properly itll look stunning.
Carefully, she placed the duck onto a large ceramic platter, surrounded it with orange slices, and tucked in sprigs of rosemary.
Everything looked like it belonged on the cover of a food magazine.
The dining table was already groaning: three salads potato, beetroot, and Greek sandwiches with smoked salmon, platters of expensive cheeses and cured meats, a bowl of fresh fruit grapes and kiwis.
Nearby rested a tray of homemade burgers and roast potatoes.
Are we opening a banquet hall? Jack joked.
Not at all, Lucy replied calmly.
I just wanted to celebrate New Years properly.
Weve worked hard all year, we deserve a treat.
Jack placed an arm around her shoulders.
Agreed.
Feels like forever since we had a real celebration.
It was true.
For years, theyd pinched pennies, saving up for the big house renovation.
Now, the work was done, their income secure, and finally they could enjoy some indulgence.
Lucy laid out cutlery with care, fetched crystal glasses from the cupboard usually left to gather dust.
Everything had to look festive, inviting, and real.
By ten oclock the table was complete.
The couple changed into fresh outfits and took their places.
Jack poured the drinks.
To us? he asked.
To us, Lucy echoed.
They clinked glasses.
Lucy tried the salad delicious.
Jack helped himself to duck and rolled his eyes with delight.
Thats incredible!
Lucy, youre a magician.
She felt satisfied.
This feast, this quiet evening, the contentment and sense that they could take their time it all felt like genuine happiness.
At exactly eleven, the doorbell rang.
The couple exchanged glances.
Who would visit this late?
Jack went to answer.
There stood their neighbour, Sarah, with her two sons.
She looked unsettled, eyes red.
Jack, Im sorry to come over like this she started, stumbling over her words.
May we stay just a short while?
Things are really bad.
Whats happened? Jack asked, concerned.
Everything at once Sarah sniffed.
They didnt pay me.
I was working off the books and they messed me about before the holidays.
Theres nothing to eat at home, not even biscuits for tea, and the boys wanted to celebrate My friends promised to visit, but never showed.
The lads deserve some kind of holiday.
Her sons hovered behind, thin, wearing worn-out jumpers and staying silent.
Jack hesitated.
Turning them away on New Years night felt heartless.
Come in, he said finally.
Ill get Lucy.
Lucy appeared from the kitchen and took in the scene.
She realised instantly: their quiet evening was over.
Hello, Sarah boys.
Sorry, Lucy, for barging in, the neighbour wiped her eyes.
We really have nowhere else to go.
Just twenty minutes, if thats alright?
Lucy glanced at the children.
Silent, but their eyes followed the smells drifting in from the kitchen.
Sit down at the table, Lucy said, sighing.
The guests entered, and then everything took off.
Mum, look! the older boy gasped.
Theres so much food!
Can I have the salmon? the younger immediately reached for it.
Sit, Lucy said, clipped.
The boys sat down.
The older one grabbed a duck leg in his hand.
Auntie Lucy, is this okay?
He didnt wait for an answer, just took a big bite.
The younger was already piling up sandwiches.
Tasty! he declared with satisfaction.
Can I have more, Mum?
Sarah didnt stop her sons, instead she began filling their plates herself.
Eat up, boys.
Eat properly for once.
Weve only had pasta at home.
Lets have a good meal.
The teenagers ate fast and greedily.
The older finished half the salad, the younger devoured all the salmon.
Next came the cheese, cold meats, and ham.
Within minutes, the platters were stripped bare.
Lucy watched, as if in a bad dream.
Jack tried to soften things:
You lot have a healthy appetite!
But nobody paid him any mind they were onto the duck.
It disappeared chunk by chunk.
Have you got any bread? the older asked.
Lucy fetched some silently.
The boys instantly made sandwiches, Sarah helped herself to salads, tried the duck, grabbed a burger.
Sorry, really, she said, mouth full.
But you see, the kids are starving.
After twenty minutes, almost nothing was left of the festive spread.
Salads gone, duck demolished, salmon, cheeses, cold meats, fruit everything eaten by uninvited guests.
Lucy sat frozen, her face blank.
Shed spent two days in the kitchen, poured money, effort, and heart into a meal hoping for a peaceful night with her husband, only to have it all vanish in an instant.
At quarter to midnight, Sarah stood up.
Well, we best get going.
Thank you so much!
Youve saved us tonight!
Her boys began to gather themselves.
The younger snatched a pastry and asked,
Can I take this with me?
Take it, Lucy replied, worn out, not even looking at him.
The guests left, with their token thanks.
The door closed.
Lucy and Jack stood in the kitchen, staring at what until half an hour ago was a feast.
Just crumbs on the plates, the salad bowls bare, no fruit left only a few tangerines in the bowl.
Did you see that? Lucy whispered.
I did, Jack answered just as quietly.
They managed to eat everything.
Absolutely everything I spent two days cooking.
Lucy
They didnt even thank us properly.
Not even once.
Just grabbing, chewing, demanding more.
Jack hugged his wife.
Lucy didnt cry she simply stared at the empty plates, trying to process it.
When Big Ben rang in the New Year, they clinked their glasses.
But the sense of celebration was gone, as was any cheer.
On New Years Day, Lucy cleaned the kitchen: washing dishes, clearing away what little was left.
That is, whatever could be called leftovers.
You know, Jack, she said, I understand people have hard times, and that wages can get held up.
But why didnt she stop her children?
Why not say, Thats enough, boys, this isnt ours?
I dont know, Jack shrugged.
Maybe they really were starving.
Starving is one thing, Lucy replied calmly.
Greed is another.
They werent eating; they were hoarding as if theyd never see food again.
Jack stayed silent, and Lucy carried on:
And Sarah sighing and acting so upset, but pushing more food towards them: Eat up, boys. Did she think about us?
What would we eat afterwards?
That evening, Lucy bumped into Sarah in the hallway.
She smiled, chipper.
Happy New Year, Lucy!
Thanks so much for yesterday!
Youre such a star!
Lucy looked at her neighbours satisfied face, and something inside quietly snapped.
Hello, she replied coolly, passing straight by.
Sarah followed her with a confused look.
Lucy emptied the rubbish and went home.
Did you see Sarah? asked Jack.
I did.
And?
Im done with her.
Let her find another sponsor.
A week passed.
Every time Lucy crossed paths with Sarah in the lift or corridor, she turned away, pretending not to notice.
Sarah tried to start conversation, but silence was Lucys answer.
Lucy, arent you taking this a bit far? Jack said once.
Im not sulking, she replied calmly.
Ive realised pity is a poor advisor.
We felt sorry, let them in and all we got was a ravaged table and ruined celebration.
But they really do have it tough
Jack, Lucy looked at him seriously, hard times dont excuse losing your conscience.
They could have asked for tea and a bit of food.
But they cleared everything out, and not one real apology.
Jack gave a heavy sigh it was pointless to argue.
A month went by.
Relations with Sarah never repaired.
Lucy would greet her briefly and without a smile, sometimes pass by altogether.
Sarah complained to others that Lucy was getting above herself, but it didnt bother her.
That New Year, Lucy remembered.
An empty table, satisfied faces of uninvited guests, and a deep sense of emptiness.
And she made up her mind: never again would she let in those who confuse kindness with opportunity for a free meal.
