For a certain kind of person, there’s only one thing less welcome than a bill – and that’s an invitation.
“Oh no,” Libby groaned, as she picked up a thick brown envelope from the pile of letters in her lap. She was sitting cross-legged on the couch in her living room, surrounded by her family.
“What is it?” asked Ben.
Neither of the children looked up as she ripped it open. “Anna Wotcek has invited us to a dinner party.” She winced. “On scented paper.”
“Who?” asked Ben.
“You know exactly who. ‘Dinner for eight at eight’, it says. I bet she’ll serve fondue, and make us talk about abstract art.” Libby groaned and looked at her husband. “She must have loads of people to invite. Why us?”
“Probably because you invited her to our house for a dinner party last week,” said Ben mildly, going back to the balsa-wood model aeroplane he was gluing together under Jasper’s intensely interested gaze.
“That wasn’t a dinner party, darling,” explained Libby kindly. “That was dinner.”
He squinted up at the ceiling as if he were about to sneeze. “The food was fancy.”
“It was chicken! With just a splash of red wine. And the only reason I invited them – at the last minute, mind you – was because Summer and Michelle have become friends. I never meant for this to happen,” she added in a whisper, glancing down at her daughter, who was lying with her back to them on the carpet, a pair of giant headphones covering her ears.
This story is from the February 2021 edition of Australian Women’s Weekly NZ.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 2021 edition of Australian Women’s Weekly NZ.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Spotlight on Vitamin D
Sunlight is the best source of vitamin D, but safe sun exposure is still essential.
Coming up roses
Driven by a renewed interest in the flower’s power, a rose renaissance is dawning.
'I was given a 5% chance of survival'
When Caroline Laner Breure was hit by a car in an horrific accident on a Spanish holiday with her boyfriend, her body and her dreams were shattered. Somehow she found the will to go on living.
Time to celebrate our mothers
Author Kathy Lette gives a heartfelt thank you to her magnificent mum, Val - a baker of fairy cakes with the patience of a saint.
"I am lucky to be here" ”
Since the day she walked onto the MasterChef Australia set back in 2009, Julie Goodwin has openly shared her life. But in writing a memoir, she had to examine the demons she'd battled privately... until now.
JAMIE OLIVER at your service
Returning to the set of MasterChef Australia to help steer a path through grief and spread happiness, the celebrity chef is also at a turning point - he opens up about failure, love, second chances and his endless reservoir of joie de vivre.
From one mum to another
Princess Catherine's public announcement struck a chord with mum-of-two Jane Gillard. She shares her story of parenting through cancer- and offers hope for the princess and mums navigating their own health journey while raising primary-aged kids.
The courage of Princess Catherine "You are„, not alone"
It was a rare personal address that she shouldn’t have had to make. But with conspiracy theories swirling and the slimmed-down “Firm” under fire, Princess Catherine silenced critics with searing courage and dignity.
THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE
When Tracy Hall fell for Max Tavita, she fell for a mirage. Max was a false identity created by a con man, and Tracy was the latest in a long line of women whose life savings hed stolen.
Amother's GIFT
In December last year, Australia’s first uterus transplant recipient, Kirsty Bryant, gave birth to Henry, a happy, healthy baby boy. The uterus that had made this little miracle possible had been donated by her mother, Michelle. Five months later, their first Mother’s Day since Henry’s birth feels especially precious.