December 23rd

Champagne wasn't Penny's First Taste of Alcohol

She was only 14 at the time, and she observed her father's drinking rituals. He'd take a key and turn it in the lock of the antique tantalus, remove the bottle of VERY expensive whiskey, pour a small glass full, then return the bottle.

The tantalus had been invented many centuries ago to prevent the staff of stately homes from stealing the drinks inside.

It didn't stop Penny. Oh no. This was her moment.

For months, she'd bugged Parker to teach her how to pick locks. She didn't elaborate, nor did he ask. 'twas none of h'is business.

And now, here was the golden moment.

It was a simple mechanism, well oiled and maintained, but a bugger to pick. Timing was essential, until finally the lock clicked open. Slowly and deliberately, she tugged the bottle out, retrieved a crystal tumbler and poured herself a little drink.

Sipping it, it didn't taste too bad. A little sweet, nothing to write home about. So she had more. And more.

By the time her father found her, she was sitting on the floor, in the middle of the library, giggling at the top of her voice. His bottle of expensive whiskey … had been reduced to half a bottle!

The next day was a killer. She threw up through the night and woke up to a mother of all hangovers. She vowed never to touch whiskey.

Ever.

Again.

And she didn't, preferring tea instead. At least that was safer.

Until someone introduced her to champagne.