Collette Bonnar's Short Stories: Anastasia’s Folly

“I really enjoy these monthly get-togethers,” Miriam Stanford remarked to her friend, Rebecca Warnock, as she negotiated her battered Land Rover up the long, winding avenue to Briarwood Lodge.

“Yes, Aengas is such a good host and it’s a great way of meeting up over the summer months seeing as the Book Club only reconvenes in winter.”

“Talking of the Book Club, Anastasia Rochford-Brennan is keeping a very low profile since she was told she’s no longer welcome as a member,” said Miriam.

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“That was a dreadful business,” Rebecca recalled. “It was awful the way she treated poor Lily Abbeyworth.”

“But she got her comeuppance in the end,” said her friend. 

The two women began to discuss the incident which led to Anastasia being barred from the club. Anastasia Rochford-Brennan and her husband, Arthur, had bought Honeysuckle Manor which had been Lily Abbeyworth’s ancestral home. They’d bought the house for a knockdown price as Lily needed the money to pay off death duties and gambling debt incurred by her late father. After the Rochford-Brennans had taken up residence in the big house, Lily moved into the gate lodge. Anastasia had been blackmailing Lily – threatening to tell the other members of the group about the gambling debts. In return for Anastasia’s silence, Lily had been writing the book reviews for her and Anastasia had been passing them off as her own at the Book Club meetings. Lily was an academic while Anastasia had little or no education but that didn’t stop her social climbing and using Lily’s knowledge of books and literature to impress the other members of the group. That was until she was found out. The group lost no time in getting rid of the ghastly Anastasia and Lily moved into the quaint Crofter’s Cottage in Badger’s Glen, the local village.

When the friends pulled up on the gravel outside the old period house, Aengas flung open the heavy oak door with a flourish. “Dear ladies, do come in,” he invited, giving each of the women a light peck on the cheek.

“I’ve brought you some shortbread, freshly baked this morning,” said Miriam, while Rebecca handed him a bottle of her homemade elderflower cordial.

“So kind of you,” said Aengas as he led them into the drawing room where Lily Abbeyworth and other members of the Book Club were already settled. A short time later, Tess, Aengas’ housekeeper, arrived with a tray laden with finger sandwiches and small dainty cakes. “Thank you, Tess,” Aengas boomed as Lily rose to pour the tea.

Rebecca and Miriam exchanged smiles. They were delighted for Lily who was now firm friends with retired army officer, Aengas.

When the tea was poured, Aengas surprised the group by declaring; “I met Anastasia Rochford-Brennan the other day at the golf club. She was with a group of friends but went out of her way to come over to speak to me.”

“Really!” The group chorused.

“Oh yes. She was very pleasant and friendly so I decided to invite her to my annual summer buffet…”

“Are you serious?” Miriam blurted out. The rest of the group looked equally dumbfounded except for Lily.

“Of course, I’m serious. Anastasia must be feeling very lonely now, rattling around in Honeysuckle Manor on her own, especially since…”

Rebecca couldn’t resist adding; “Yes, especially since her husband ran off with Gretta the maid. I hear Anastasia’s got the house as part of her settlement and Arthur has bought a chateau in the south of France.”

“Yes, nasty business and messy, I believe,” said Aengas. “I think we should welcome `` Anastasia back to the fold.” The others noticed the smile he exchanged with Lily.

“That’s a splendid idea,” said Lily.

The others nodded hesitantly as Aengas continued; “I jolly well hope the weather will hold for the party. Someone said the long-range forecast gives it to be warm and sunny.”

“When are you planning on having your soiree?” asked Marjorie Tompkins.

“I thought perhaps two weeks from this Friday, if that suits everyone?” Aengas glanced around the group.

Everyone was in agreement that it would suit perfectly and the conversation then turned to village matters.

On the drive home, Rebecca remarked to Miriam; “I can’t understand why Aengas has had a change of heart about Anastasia. He was really furious at the time when he discovered how badly she’d been treating Lily.”

“Mmm, I find it all a bit strange myself but it should be an interesting evening,” replied her friend.

The evening of the party wore round and there was a great buzz around Briarwood Lodge. Tess and her husband, Jamsie, who also worked as gardener were on duty for the evening to serve the food and drinks. Trestle tables covered in white linen cloths were laden with cold meats, salmon, and king prawns, accompanied by a large array of fresh salads. Anastasia arrived in all her grandeur – dressed in a designer peach silk dress, hair perfectly coiffured and of course, make-up done to the nines. The other guests were dressed smart casual. Lily was wearing white jeans and a tangerine blouse, both Rebecca and Miriam commented on how well she looked. She seemed to exude happiness these days, no doubt her friendship with Aengas had a lot to do with it. Her silver-blonde hair shone and her blue eyes sparkled accentuating her fine facial bone structure. 

“Oh, Lily, you’re still around I see,” said Anastasia as she looked scathingly at the other woman. 

“Yes, and so are you,” Lily replied sweetly, unable to resist, she added; “Despite everything.” Lily had a new-found confidence since she was no longer beholden to Anastasia.

Ignoring the jibe, Anastasia gushed over Aengas. “You are such a darling to throw this wonderful party. Thank you so much for inviting me. Where shall I sit?” she asked, looking pointedly at the two chairs at the main table.

“I think there’s a spare seat down at that table,” Aengas pointed to where the stalwarts of the Book Club were sitting.

“I see,” said Anastasia, clearly disgruntled. While Aengas may have forgiven her, Miriam, Rebecca, and the rest of the group, out of loyalty to Lily, still found it hard to welcome Anastasia back into the group.  

As the wine flowed, Anastasia became as overbearing as usual and again the members wondered why on earth Aengas had invited her. Despite this, they enjoyed the sumptuous buffet and after they’d finished dessert and coffee was served, Aengas rose to his feet to say a few words. “Ladies and gentlemen, I wish to thank you all for coming to my annual get-together. It’s been a real pleasure as usual. Of course, the fine weather is an extra bonus. But now, I’ve a bit of good news that I want to share with you…” He then looked fondly at Lily.

“A certain lady here is too modest to mention this, so I’m taking the liberty to tell you. Lily has been approached by one of the national newspapers to be their new book reviewer.”

A wave of excitement stole over the group as they congratulated Lily. Everyone was happy for her except Anastasia whose face had turned thunderous.

Aengas continued; “Word travels fast in the literary world. Lily’s success is due mainly to Anastasia…”

Anastasia then smiled smugly at the rest of the group but the smile froze on her face as Aengas continued; “She coerced Lily into writing reviews for the various books we read over the years and was passing the reviews off as her own.”

“How dare you bring this up again,” Anastasia spat as she rose from the table and stormed off.

The silence among the group was deafening until finally, Aengas said. “Now let’s raise a toast to Lily on her new-found success.”

As they raised their glasses, Miriam whispered to Rebecca; “Poetic justice for Anastasia’s Folly.”