Beatrice walked around, holding a food platter in her arms and offering shrimp cocktails to her guests.

"Shrimp cocktail?" she offered to her friend, Dianne.

"Oh yes please!" Dianne smiled. She plucked a shrimp off the tray and dunked in the sauce.

"I have to compliment your party, Beatrice. It's so much fun! And the music is just delightful. Tell me darling, who chose the music?" Dianne asked.

"The music? Violet picked that out. Do you remember Violet? The last time you saw her she was just a baby!" Beatrice replied.

"Oh yes, but who could forget such a charming child!" Dianne stated while smiling.

"Thank you Dianne, you are so very sweet," Beatrice smiled and walked off, offering shrimp cocktails to other guests. She ran into Bernard, who was sipping a martini and laughing with their married friends, Sarah and Richard.

"Cocktail, anyone?" Beatrice asked, placing the tray on their coffee table. Hands reached out to take the shrimp and they all laughed. Beatrice plopped down next to Bernard and he put his arm around her waist.

"Beatrice darling, how are you?" Sarah asked, putting the shrimp in her mouth.

"Very good, thank you. How is your job working out for you?"

"Just wonderful, thanks to Bernard here," Sarah smiled, "Working in the office is such a good experience. If Bernard hadn't talked me into doing it, I wouldn't have a smile on my face right now! It has made my life so much more organized, therefore more joyful."

"Glad to hear it," Bernard nodded, "If you'll excuse me, though, I'm going to go visit with the other guests." Bernard got up and left, walking off towards the formal dining room.

"Such a lovely party, Beatrice," Sarah complimented, eating another shrimp.

"Yes, it is. I haven't seen the children around; are they here?" Richard asked.

"No they are at the beach," Beatrice replied.

"The beach! How lovely. I guess this party would have bored them, with nothing but adults around," Sarah chuckled.

"Oh no, Sarah. They love adults and they adore parties! They are such good kids, but I couldn't have them around a party as formal as this. Besides, they were dying to go to the beach so we let them," Beatrice answered. Sarah and Richard nodded.

"I suppose I should keep passing around the cocktails, don't you think?" Beatrice laughed, picking up the tray, "It was nice talking to you." She walked off with the tray, passing them around to the guests. She decided to stop worrying about the party, because she came to realize that Bernard was right. After all, what could possibly go wrong?