Charleston Downs

Welcome To Charleston Downs

It was a glorious day, the seams of the summer months approached. My first memory of Charleston Downs was driving along the windy stretch of lone road. Immaculate, smooth tarmac and freshly re-painted markings. The warm wind stroking my face, sun roof down, there it was. Charleston Downs.

As I made my way up to the marina a tall well dressed woman waved at me, She approached the car, sliding a manicured hand up the bonnet as the car came to a halt. A vision in blue, her shoulder pad jacket buttoned up tightly around her chest and her skirt a mere tube restricting any real movement. She hobbled over to the car and rested herself on the frame of the open window. Her strawberry blonde hair draping across her blue shoulder pads.

"Mr Sutcliffe. Welcome to Charleston Downs." She smiles and retrieves a set of keys from her clutch. "I hope you enjoy your new home. If you need anything you have my number."

"Thank you Hailey. I appreciate everything you've done for me, no one else could make a move as painless as you have. Please, call me Finn." I take the keys, she has made several cuts of the keys - anticipating the loss of several. A small smile seeps onto my face.

"I remembered you lost your car keys." She explains. I offer her a lift but she isn't heading back to the marina.

"I hope to see you again soon." I bid goodbye. Dropping the keys into the cup holder and rolling down the marina towards and my new home further inland.

The marina is modern and stylish. White yachts line up, a wall of gleaming luxury. The sapphire water rippling, the sounds of perfect trickling resonating from under the decking. The sky patterned with artistic brush strokes of wispy clouds. Dotted pointedly with a spot of circular white-yellow sun.

After a few minutes, I park, and let myself investigate my new life at Charleston Downs. My navy, leather boat shoes touching the hot promenade with a rubbery sizzle. I stand there for a moment in my cream shorts and white polo. Dressed for the occasion, I take it all in.

"Finn! Mr. Sutcliffe!" I am pulled round by a hand on my shoulder. Hailey, out of breath, pants for a moment catching her breath. "I forgot to give you this." She holds up a form, "Last one, I promise." I think she tries to laugh but is too exhausted so it fizzles to a wheeze.

I read the form while Hailey adjusts herself, how she could run in that skirt is beyond me. Borrowing a pen, I sign. Hailey lingers for a minute, I gather she is hoping for a lift back up the road.

"Well, I'm heading over to the new house. Have a good day." I smile politely and expertly circumvent the favour. She looses her good humour and huffs faintly, before nodding and hobbling back up the long road.

Suddenly, she calls down to me, "Are you going to the Rowley's summer party?"

"I wasn't planning to, I'm not even sure I know who they are." I roll my eyes into the upper right corner, trying to snatch a glance at my own brain. Pooling all my knowledge about who the Rowley's might be, but I cannot manage a single item of information.

She gawped at me. Blinked and shook her head. Then gawped some more.

Glancing at her watch she seemed to decide there was enough time to explain to me whatever heresy I had just committed.

"The Rowley's party's are a social obligation. This Saturday at 7.00pm OK? You owe me, I just saved you." Although the idea of owing this woman anything was abhorrent, I smiled and thanked her. Before returning to the car and driving away

It was only around five minutes later that I reached my new home. Driving up the impeccably flat road towards a cluster of mansions and chateaus. It looked grander than I remembered it, that was pleasing. The house itself was simple yet stately. Compared to my neighbours house however, it was insignificant. They were east of my home, nearer the lighthouse that loomed slightly over the horizon, their house a fortress of intimidating size. I turned and went to introduce myself to the western neighbours with the more reasonably sized detached summer home.

If only I had known that I would regret it.

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