Mimosas with Natalie

The Scott house was one of the largest on the block, and certainly sat on the largest yard. Sited at the end of the cul de sac, it was a low, architecturally pleasing house with immaculate landscaping. A deep green BMW convertible sat in the driveway.

Frank rang the bell and put a smile on his face as a slender woman opened the door. She was elegantly dressed, although more for a meeting or lunch with friends rather than an evening out.

"Hello, may I help you?" she asked with a friendly, inquiring smile.

"I'm Frank Castillo, from down the street. You sent me an invitation to a party yesterday and I thought I'd come thank you in person. And accept the invitation of course."

"Oh how wonderful! So pleased to meet you Mr. Castillo! I'm Natalie Scott. Please do come in for a moment!" She showed him in to a living room that was as elegant as she was, and gestured to a seat.

"Can I offer you something? Coffee? Tea? Something stronger?"

"Whatever you're having will be fine, Mrs. Scott."

"Oh please! It's Natalie! And you're Frank, right?" She smiled prettily. "We're neighbours, Frank, we should be on a first name basis. I'll be right back."

Frank looked around the room, seeing lots of evidence of money and taste. No one on the street was poor, but obviously the Scotts were doing better than most. Natalie returned carrying a tray with a pitcher, an ice bucket and two fluted glasses, putting it on a low table.

"I made Mimosas. If you would be a dear and pour the drinks, I just have to send a quick text," she smiled, leaving the room again. Frank dumped a healthy dose of the **** into the pitcher, stirred it, then poured two glasses full, smiling to himself.

"That's done!" Natalie said, putting down her phone as she returned to the room and picked up a glass. "Here's to good neighbours! Welcome to the street Frank! I hope you're settling in?"

"Everybody I've met so far has been very welcoming," he smiled. "I'm retired, so I feel a little elderly with all the young people on the block, but it does me good."

"I'm glad to see my daughter Tara managed to deliver your invitation finally. She was supposed to do it two days ago, but she's at a...difficult age. I guess that's more polite than calling her a brat. I hope she was polite?"

"She was a bit...abrupt.." Frank said carefully. "And she seemed a touch sullen."

"That's my daughter," Natalie sighed. "She's the centre of her own world and thinks everyone should know it. I wasn't perfect at her age but I could at least fake good manners. She just can't be bothered."

"I've seen worse," Frank smiled, taking a sip. "You make a great Mimosa Natalie."

"I do, don't I! Let's have another round! I'm afraid two is my limit though. I have to go to a meeting of the Hospital Foundation, I'm on the board, and I don't want to take any risks driving. So what did you retire from, and is there a Mrs. Castillo?"

"I was an investment banker, and I'm afraid my wife passed on some time ago," Frank lied.

"Oh I'm so sorry. Forgive me for prying."

"Don't be sorry. It's been a few years. It was great while it lasted. Is Tara your only child?"

"Yes, thank goodness. If there were two of her I'd be in an asylum. But enough about her. I think it's simply wonderful to have a new neighbour and to have that lovely house occupied again. Do you know that it sat empty for two years before you bought it?"

"I didn't," Frank lied, having purchased it through a holding company two years before and left it sitting empty. "Well, it seems like a vibrant street. And you're very generous to host a party."

"We have the largest yard. And one of the few pools. It seems the least we can do. Everyone can relax and enjoy themselves and get to know each other better. Everything is catered, although some of the men like to barbeque, and you're free to bring anything you like. Or anyone." She smiled coyly as she said the last sentence. "If you have a special lady friend, I mean."

"Not at the moment," Frank smiled, noticing that Natalie had crossed her legs and was rocking one foot as she squirmed ever so slightly.

"Really? I don't see how an attractive man like you can be without companionship. You have a certain...something," she smiled.

"As do you Natalie," he smiled back lazily. "You're a very elegant young woman."

"You are a flatterer!" she laughed happily. "I may well be elegant, but I'm hardly young. I'm nearly forty."

"I wouldn't have thought so," he smiled, finishing his glass. "Are you sure you couldn't have just one more?" he asked, lifting the pitcher and gesturing to her almost empty glass.