With her husband, Mrs Cotton was a traditional party guest at the Nashs' New Year's Eve party. Mrs Cotton and her husband arrived, like the majority of partygoers, between 9 and 10pm. Mrs Cotton and her husband were the first to leave, getting prepared to do so at about 2:30am. Supper had not yet been served, and so when the couple were in their car, ready to go, Mrs Nash passed a chicken leg each to Mrs Cotton and her husband to chew on on the way home. The time was then between 2:30am and 2:45am, but probably closer to the latter. These times would later become important in establishing when Mr Chandler returned to the party.