By the end of this party, one of them would be dead.
Alice took a sip of her tea and looked around at the others. Simon was telling a story that must be amusing, because Sandy and Clara both stared at him intently. To her left, Imogene and Kathy were chatting about the latest sport that Imogene’s son was participating in (badmitton from the sound of it), and to her right Sarah sat quietly, one hand folded in her lap and the other holding a half eaten scone. Sarah was new to this group and seemed to still be figuring out where she fit in.
Alice studied her. Her light pink dress complimented her fair skin and stiking brown hair. Sarah sensed that Alice was looking at her and looked her way, giving a shy smile.
“Are you enjoying yourself?” Alice asked her and Sarah nodded polietly, setting her scone back on her plate.
“Oh yes, very much so. I’m so grateful to have been invited!”
“How do you know Sandy again?”
Alice and Sandy had been friends for more than 20 years, growing up together in Atlanta. The rest of the people at the table had joined their ranks over the years and lately they formed a tight knit circle of friends that Alice couldn’t live without. Today’s gathering was to celebrate Sandy’s birthday (a little belated). When Alice had arrived she was pleased to see Simon had joined them as well, but surprised to see a new face at their table.
Sarah looked around the table, seemingly studying each person, before facing Alice once more. Her lips turned into a sinister smile. “I’m a colleague,” she said and took a sip of her tea.
Across the table, Sandy started sputtering and coughing, grabbing her throat. All at once everyone stood up to help. Simon immediately started pounding Sandy on the back. Clara was screaming help, and Imogene was shouting “she’s choking!”.
“Should I call 9-1-1?” Kathy yelled and pulled her phone out of her purse.
Alice turned to her right, but Sarah was gone. Alice looked all around them, but there was no sight of her. As she turned back towards the group, she noticed a piece of paper on the table next to the tea pot. She picked it up, turned it over and read the name.
“Don’t drink the -“ she started to scream, but around her everyone had stopped making noise. It was too late.
