The Writers' Circle

"This is going to be fabulous!" I said to myself in a posh London accent as I posed in front of the mirror with all the grace and upper-class attitude that I could muster. "Watch out party, Ms Charlotte Grey is in town!"
	My grand-uncle's passing had resulted in my sudden rise in fortune, and nevertheless, fame came soon after. I had always wanted to live the life of the rich and famous, and this windfall from someone whom I hardly knew meant just that.
	 As I was walking down the marble staircase leading to the taxi, my diamond-studded mobile phone went off.
	"Ah! That must be Richard or Erik. I can't wait to see them vying for my attention!"
	However, when I took out the phone, it was a number that I did not recognise.
	"Hello," I said in the same posh accent.
	"Good evening, Ms Grey," came the reply. "I am Mr Roberts, your late grand-uncle's lawyer."
	"Oh!" I was surprised to hear from him. "Is there anything that I can do for you?"
	"Actually, I am calling to inform you that we have found your long-lost cousin, Janet Byron. She is your grand-uncle's only grandchild."
	"Er... that's great," I replied, taken aback by this news. However, it only dawned upon me a full second later that Mr Roberts was calling because this would involve a change in the distribution of the inheritance. I would not be the sole benefector after all.
	"I would also like to inform you that I have discussed this embarassing situation with Ms Byron. She has kindly agreed to allow you to keep the mansion and all items that have been  purchased in full prior to this evening. I certainly hope that you will accept my apologies for calling you at this late hour, but it was imperative for me to inform you of this situation which will come into effect with the new year. I will contact you sometime next week to discuss the details. Good evening."
	Dumbfounded, I place the phone back into my Armani purse and stepped into the taxi.

	"Here ya go, missus. Number 12, Park Lane," the taxi driver said in a chirpy South London drawl.
	I paid the driver and got out of the taxi, but could go no further.
	"And 'appy New Year, luv!" The driver shouted from his opened window as he sped off.
	I stared at the front door and was deciding whether to go in or not when it suddenly sprang open.
	"Why, Charlotte! Do come in quick. Some nice chardonnay should warm you right up," Mrs Huntington twittered on as she pulled me into her magnificently decorated hallway with original Van Goghs hanging on the walls.
	"Was there a glimmer in her eye?" I thought as I smiled and slid my Kenzo coat off. "She seems to be exceptionally nice today. Has she heard? Does she plan to make a mockery of me in front of her guests? She can be a sly old hag."
	"Thank you for the warm hospitality, Katherine," I replied. "And yes, a chardonnay would be divine."

	Walking into the ante room, I could not help but think of this exquisite lifestyle that I will no longer be a part of. I was distraught and yet at the same time felt anger creeping up from the wells of my soul.
	"At least I know of him!!!" I thought to myself for the hundredth time. "I bet she hasn't even heard of him! How could she appear and steal all this from me! Maybe if she had an accident and died or disappeared once again..."
	"Hello, Charlotte." Erik came up to me and smiled. "Lovely party, isn't it?"
	"Good to see you, Erik," I replied. "But do excuse me. I need to use the powder room."
	"Oh... that smile. He must already know about the news. That terrible, horrible man!"
	As I headed towards the powder room, I noticed the sideward glances of a few women who were standing next to the fireplace. Richard, who was always keen to make conversation with me was actually very much engrossed in a conversation with a young lady whom I did not know. When he turned and saw me, he raised his glass and smiled.
	"Not Richard too! He seems to be raising his glass in a goodbye and good luck gesture. Ohhh... this is sooo... embarassing!"

	"They must all be talking about me. Why then did they stop talking when I walked by? George Roberts! I will get you for this."
	Knowing that my secret was out, I suddenly felt sick and just wanted to get away. As I passed the bathroom, I walked in, locked the door and broke into tears.

	"Hello," Erik took the ringing phone out from my purse and answered it. It had been ringing insistently for an hour or so, and some of the guests were becoming agitated by it.
	"Hello, may I speak to Ms Grey please?"
	"Is that George Roberts? Hello and happy new year! It's Erik here. I'm afraid Charlotte's not here at this moment. I would look for her if I could, but the mansion is extremely crowded. Can I take a message?"
	"Oh yes. Just tell her that I called and that Janet is a fraud. She will understand. And Happy New Year!"

	It was one in the morning on a beautiful new year's day, and almost all the guests have left. Erik was still holding onto Charlotte's purse and had been asking everyone if they had seen her.

	Aarghhhh! Mrs Huntington's unmistakable scream could be heard. Erik and the few guests who remained ran towards the countess. She was standing in front of the bathroom, and in the bathtub, there lay the body of Ms Charlotte Grey.