Quick Flicks (Volume One): A Collection of Short Stories by Delores Swallows

Author:Delores Swallows [Swallows, Delores]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Delores Swallows
Published: 2020-07-05T23:00:00+00:00

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Party Games

I remember feeling like a complete idiot when Kirsty first opened the door.

There I was, all dressed up in a knee-length silk dress and really uncomfortable high-heeled shoes, while our hostess wore an old pair of ripped jeans, black t-shirt and nothing on her feet. Darren had made me dress up. He’d told me everyone there would be dressed up, and said he wanted me to look nice when I met his work colleagues.

He’d also said we were going round for a dinner party, but it turned out to be just supper, which we had to balance on our knees in the lounge. There were about a dozen people there altogether, everyone else dressed casually. Most of them worked in the IT department with Darren and I felt like a pork pie at a Jewish wedding. When Darren introduced me to everyone, I couldn’t help but feel I was being scrutinised. I realised Darren had done it to make his mates think his girlfriend got herself dressed up for him like that all the time. He didn’t give a toss how stupid I might feel.

Things didn’t improve much as the evening progressed.

Almost all of the conversation was centred round their work, full of ‘in’ jokes about people I’d never heard of. While they all laughed and had a good time, I noticed Kirsty and Darren sharing quite a few knowing looks. I suspected there was more to their relationship than just work-mates. I felt like a fool—like I was just there as Darren’s accessory. He made no attempt to include me in any of the conversations, and as a consequence—as soon as the gin had all gone—I started on the wine.

After about 25 minutes of being ignored, I went to find more drink in the kitchen. A couple of people were already opening a bottle—a guy and a girl.

“Hi,” I smiled. “I’m Gillian, and I’m not into IT.”

The guy laughed and held out his hand. “Thank God for that. Me neither. I’m Chris.” He was mid-twenties with short brown hair, blue eyes, and cute dimples in his cheeks when he smiled.

“Julie,” said the girl, looking slightly embarrassed. “Sorry, but I fall into the geek pool. I just joined the department last month.”

Chris put his arm around her and gave me a serious look. “I’m afraid she may soon be a lost cause. But for the moment, I’m being the perfect brother and trying to support her through the worst.”

Julie pushed his arm away and poured us all a drink. “He’s being a typical brother. Eating all my food, drinking all my wine and peeing on the toilet seat in my flat.”

Chris looked suitably embarrassed.

This was the first part of the evening I’d enjoyed. Julie and Chris were fun. The three of us chatted for a few minutes, and then Kirsty came in to claim the wine bottle. I made a point of refilling my glass before I passed it to her.

We all moved back into the lounge, where I was treated to a further half hour of being invisible.

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