Bridget ran to the restroom in floods of tears. After reapplying her scarlet lipstick and powdering her nose, she bumped into Barnaby Morrison on her way out. He was very drunk and paid her another compliment. Bridget remembered he was the grandson of a famously wealthy shipping magnate, a friend of mother’s. Suddenly, her evening was looking up.
Clarissa invited two new friends to her next Friday-night supper. She looked as proud as punch as Hartley taught her the steps to the Gay Gordons. Later, she politely refused when Lady Bridget suggested they meet up for lunch.
Sheri texted Max to wish her a Happy New Year. She felt on top of the world, having been asked to front the STD campaign for a whole year following initial positive reaction. She had allowed herself a few glasses of bubbly at a friend’s party but stayed off the white stuff. God, it was tempting, but, as her sponsor said, one day at a time.
Marj and Fergal saw in the New Year by stripping all their clothes off and running into the freezing waters of the Tay opposite their home. Hell, you only live once, Fergal told Marj before they took the plunge. He laughed as his wife waded in, screaming, ‘Life begins at fifty-two.’
As they drove to the house of one of James’s MP friends in Kew to see in the New Year, Amy asked her fiancé if he would consider travelling with her for a few months. He told her they were too old to play at being gap-year students, he couldn’t put his political career on hold and they really should crack on with getting married and starting a family. She smiled at him sadly. She knew it was over.
Carlos Santiago accepted Raymondo’s marriage proposal on the stroke of midnight. It was the second offer he couldn’t turn down that day: Kirk Kelner had asked him to help shop for a new wardrobe the following week.
Kirk Kelner saw in the New Year in his hotel suite with a magnum of champagne, a pile of coke and hot Swedish twins. Next year he’d settle down a little. But for now, God, he loved being Kirk Kelner.